The Americas, West Africa and Europe
Students will be comparing and contrasting diverse Native American tribes. Students will be describing West African societies. Students will be discussing the forces that led European societies to undertake exploration.
First Americans arrived about 22,000 years ago Crossed over on the Bering Strait from Asia Hunter and Gatherers Warmer conditions caused a switch to smaller game, fish, berries, and nuts
Tribes began to settle throughout the Americas The rise of agriculture allowed some groups of people to settle down and create surpluses of food Other groups of people continued to be nomadic (moving from place to place)
Olmec people settled in Southern Mexico as early as 1200 B.C. Maya built a dynamic culture near the Yucatan peninsula (A.D ) Aztec settled in the valley of Mexico in the 1200s Inca were the most prominent people in South America
Diverse people Chumash Cheyenne Seminole Delaware Choctaw Cherokee And many more
Patterns of trade ◦ Created intricate trails to trade with each other Attitudes toward land ownership ◦ Looked at land as the source of life and could not be owned Religious beliefs ◦ Believed in spirits of the natural world Social values ◦ Family traditions guided all aspects of life
How were Native American tribes similar? How were they different?
Many of those enslaved and eventually brought to America came from West Africa African traditions and beliefs played a major role in forming American history and culture Three powerful kingdoms ◦ Songhai ◦ Benin ◦ Kongo
Gained wealth by controlling the trans Sahara trade Rulers grew rich by taxing goods that passed through the realms Large armies conquered new territories Cities were built, laws administered, support for the arts and education
Benin stretched along the southern coast of Africa Kongo was in West Central Africa and consisted of small kingdoms led by a single ruler (Manikongo)
Most lived in small villages where life revolved around the family, the community, and tradition Political leaders claimed authority on the basis of religion People supported themselves by farming, herding, hunting, fishing, mining, and trading Most believed in collective ownership of land
Describe two characteristics of West African society
Many people lived in small villages, bound to the land and change occurred slowly Social Hierarchy (organized by rank) ◦ At the top were monarchs, aristocracy, land owners (held wealth and power) ◦ Artisans and merchants (created and traded goods). ◦ Peasants (lived in squalor)
Christianity – A religion based on the life and teaching of Jesus Dominate religion of western Europe Religious elite held political and spiritual authority Crusades fought with the Muslims (Islam) led to Asian trade routes and the idea of exploration
Reformation – Criticized church practices and challenged the authority of the pope This led to a religious schism (split) throughout Europe Protestants- Opposed the Catholic Church Many protestants and Catholics left Europe to America for religious freedom
Renaissance- “rebirth”, culture awakening of Europe Art was portrayed more realistically in comparison to medieval art work Ideas are easily spread through Gutenberg’s printing press Renaissance encouraged people to think for themselves and seek glory through adventure, discovery, and conquest
New sailing techniques and navigating tools used during the 1400s
Why do you think we learned about Native Americans, West Africans, and Europeans today in our American History class? What is the connection?