Social Studies Grade 7 Before the First Global Age Chapter 2

First Civilizations of the Americas Reaching the Americas –Historians believe early Americans crossed into North America via a land bridge from Asia during the last Ice Age. –During this Ice Age thick sheets of ice called glaciers covered almost 1/3 of the earth –Glaciers are believed to have uncovered a land bridge joining Asia with Alaska in NA. –One theory of peoples arrival in NA is that nomadic hunters crossed this land bridge tracking herds of animals.

With the end of the last Ice Age temperatures rose, glaciers melted and the land bridge disappeared under the Bering Strait. At the same time some types of large animals died out and forced hunters to adapt turning to hunting/gathering and then farming for food.

Farming brought great changes No longer need to move to follow food Permanent settlements develop Allow Population To increase Food surplus Allow for Specialized skills

Mayan Civilization Lived in the rain forests of Guatemala and Mexico Highly skilled farmers Well defined social classes highest being priests, lowest slaves Study of astronomy allowed for creation of an accurate calendar and prediction of eclipses Skilled mathematicians developed a numbers system including zero Around 900A.D. they abandoned their cities perhaps due to warfare or drought

Aztec Civilization ► Developed a powerful empire in central Mexico during the 1300’s ► Capital city of Tenochtitlan was built on an island connecting the city to mainland using raised roads made of packed earth called causeways ► Skilled farmers using floating gardens raise large amounts of crops ► Aztec priests preformed rituals designed to please Aztec gods including human sacrifice to their sun god ► The Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes conquered the Aztecs in 1519

Incan Civilization By 1500’s the empire stretched 2,500 miles along the west coast of SA By 1500’s the empire stretched 2,500 miles along the west coast of SA To unite their empire the Incas built an extensive road system To unite their empire the Incas built an extensive road system Runners throughout the empire carried quipu a device made of cord and knots used for calculations Runners throughout the empire carried quipu a device made of cord and knots used for calculations Skilled engineers built stone temples and forts Skilled engineers built stone temples and forts Farmers developed a terrace system to grow crops on mountainsides Farmers developed a terrace system to grow crops on mountainsides

Early Cultures in North America The Hohokam lived in Arizona about 2000 years ago. Developed irrigation system to farm in the desert Developed irrigation system to farm in the desert Anasazi lived in the area of the US 4 corners -used irrigation in the desert to farm -Built homes in cliffs of adobe -Spanish called these homes pueblos which means village

Mound Builders Various cultures that built large earth mounds about 3000 years ago Various cultures that built large earth mounds about 3000 years ago First mounds were built for burial later mounds were used for religious ceremoniesFirst mounds were built for burial later mounds were used for religious ceremonies Hopewell's and Mississippians are the best known group of Mound BuildersHopewell's and Mississippians are the best known group of Mound Builders Cahokia was the largest city in present day Illinois Cahokia was the largest city in present day Illinois About 30,000 people lived there at one time About 30,000 people lived there at one time

Culture and Culture Areas Culture is the entire way of life of a people Culture is the entire way of life of a people Including homes, clothing, economy, arts and government Including homes, clothing, economy, arts and government Culture Area is a region in which people share a similar way of life Culture Area is a region in which people share a similar way of life A tribe is a community of people that share common customs, language and rituals in a culture area A tribe is a community of people that share common customs, language and rituals in a culture area

Life in different culture areas Life in different culture areas Native Americans developed ways to meet their needs of food, shelter and clothing Native Americans developed ways to meet their needs of food, shelter and clothing –Tribes hunted and gathered fruits and nuts –Built canoes from trees to fish –Farmed wide varieties of corn –Natives traded amongst tribes to exchange goods from other places

Climate and resources affect Native American cultures  Climate shaped Native American cultures  In harsh climates resources are limited, people struggle to find food and shelter in these regions people were often nomadic. In areas of milder climate complex cultures emerge. Warm growing seasons allowed people to build permanent villages and trade with nearby groups.

Native American shared beliefs Native Americans share a deep respect for nature Native Americans share a deep respect for nature People felt a close bond to plants, animals and forces of nature. People felt a close bond to plants, animals and forces of nature. Prayer and ceremonies honored spirits Prayer and ceremonies honored spirits Religious ceremonies were designed to maintain a balance between people and nature Religious ceremonies were designed to maintain a balance between people and nature

Iroquois The Iroquois are 5 tribes which spoke a similar language in New York Mohawk, Seneca, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga –Called themselves “People of the Long House” after their homes Typical long house was about 150 ft long, housed 12 or more families -Women owned all property and chose the clan leaders -Tribal leaders called sachems met once a year to make decisions for the League of the Iroquois.

African and Asian trade networks Long distance travel and trade increased between Europe, Asia and Africa in 1400’s beginning 1st global age. –Arab merchants played a large role in growing trade and the spread of Islam. Overland routes between Asia, Middle East and China known as Silk Road because of silks traded. Porcelain and silk from China, cloth from India, ivory and gold from Africa and spices from Asia are all traded on the Silk Road

The Middle Ages About AD Feudalism a system of rule by lords who ruled their land but owed loyalty and military service to the monarch. Life revolved around the manor, including a castle, several villages and land around it. The Crusades were a series of wars fought by Christians and Muslims between over control of the Holy Lands. –Crusaders went from living on Manors to experiencing the exotic foods and silks of the Middle East. TRADE INCREASES –New trade make use of navigation instruments Astrolabe an instrument which helped sailors determine latitude

The Renaissance Increased trade and travel made Europeans eager to learn about the world. The burst of learning known as the Renaissance, meaning “rebirth” lasted between the ’s. –1430’s invention of printing press by Gutenberg made books widely available Learning spread quickly

Search for Trade Routes Muslim and Italian merchants controlled trade routes through the Mediterranean Sea. England, France, Spain, Portugal all looking for their own trade routes to the wealth of Asia

Portuguese Exploration Looking for their own route to Asia they travel south around Africa, through the Indian Ocean to the east. Looking for their own route to Asia they travel south around Africa, through the Indian Ocean to the east. Prince Henry, AKA Henry the Navigator, set up school to teach sailors navigation and ship building.Prince Henry, AKA Henry the Navigator, set up school to teach sailors navigation and ship building Vasco da Gama - 1st Portuguese to round Cape of Good Hope, cross the Indian Ocean to East Indies and Asia giving a source of valuable spices1497 Vasco da Gama - 1st Portuguese to round Cape of Good Hope, cross the Indian Ocean to East Indies and Asia giving a source of valuable spices