1. Unit 1 Pre Columbian Societies

2. 1. Early Inhabitants of the Americas Traditional POV: Land Bridge brings NE Asians Evidence: Clovis 10,000 BCE

3. 1. Early Inhabitants of the Americas Alternative POV: SE Asians 11,500 BCE

4. 2. American Indian empires in Mesoamerica Olmecs begin around 700 B.C.E. around the Gulf of Mexico Maya – Yucatan Peninsula/Guatemalan rainforest – Large cities – Decorated temples – Complex religion, calendar, writing, math – Writing brings history/identity – Trade = culture and variety of goods to widespread empire

9. 2. American Indian empires in Mesoamerica Aztecs – Highlands of central Mexico – Aztecs conquer Teotihuacan – Learned agriculture/irrigation, language, culture – Capital of Tenochtitlan (Mexico, D.F.) – Dominated central Mexico – By 1500 Tenochtitlan = 200k citizens

10. 2. American Indian empires in the Southwest Anasazi – Master architects/farmers by 900 C.E. – Built into cliffs, good roads – Decline in 1150 C.E. due to droughts Descendents adapted by building smaller villages

11. 2. American Indian empires near the Mississippi Farming technology spread north New strains of maize/beans 1150 C.E. – City of Cahokia near St. Louis Moundbuilders Trading networks

12. 3. American Indian Cultures of N.A. at the time of European contact Iroquois in PA, NY – Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas Close-knit tribal structure Land/homes in common

13. 3. American Indian Cultures of N.A. at the time of European contact