The First Civilizations of the Americas What is culture? How would you react to a people whose appearance and language are unlike anything you’ve ever known? What can happen when one culture imposes its values on another?

Reaching the Americas Crossing the Land Bridge A land bridge joined Siberia to Alaska Groups of hunters tracked herds of animals across this land bridge These hunters tracked animals in search of food over thousands of years They slowly spread across North America, South America, and Central America.

Reaching the Americas (cont) Adapting to New Conditions As the ice age ended, temperatures rose and people had to adapt to new conditions. Many large breed animals died out, forcing hunters to begin to hunt for smaller animals, forage for nuts and berries, and fish. About 5,000 years ago, people in Central America learned to grow crops and agriculture began to grow. Instead of migrating, people began to stay in one place.

The Mayas Lived in what is now Guatemala and Mexico Social Classes Priests: the highest class Nobles: served as warriors and government officials Laborers and farmers: near the bottom of the social classes Slaves: mostly prisoners of war or criminals.

Mayas Advances in learning Very advanced in astronomy and mathematics Predicted eclipses Created 365 day calendar Created a system of numbers that included zero

The Aztecs The Aztecs were nomads who moved from place to place Tenochtitlan Aztec capital on an island Created causeways: raised roads made of packed earth. Linked the capital to the mainland Farmed in the swamps of Lake Texcoco Dug canals and created chinampas or “floating garden” The city prospered due to trade

Aztecs Religion Priests studied heavens and developed calendars to help farmers Sun god was very important. Each sunrise required a human sacrifice. A powerful Empire Empire stretched from Gulf of Mexico to Pacific ocean. Millions of people Not a peaceful world: large taxes, many revolts, many enemies

The Incas a) Incan Empire stretched 2,500 miles on the west coast of SA. b) Capital: Cuzco c) Cuzco was a very holy city with massive temples made of gold and stone d) Center of Cuzco: Palace for the emperor called Sapa Inca e) Well organized city with many engineers who built temples, forts, etc.

Olmec Earliest known civilization in Central America Lived along the Gulf Of Mexico Large farming community Many large stone temples Left very few written records