The Americas and Europe Objectives: Describe the ancient cultures in the Americas. Identify the diverse Native American groups in North America. Understand European societies of the 1400’s and the forces that led them to undertake exploration.

Ancient Cultures in the Americas Where did the first Americans come from? The first Americans arrived around 22,000 years ago Bering-Strait Land Bridge Theory How did the first Americans survive? The first Americans were nomads who survived by hunting big game If the first Americans were nomads, how did civilization begin? Around 12,000 years ago, temperatures began to warm As the climate grew warmer, large animals no longer thrived Early Americans became hunter gatherers Between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago, agriculture developed in central Mexico Early Americans began to plant crops The development of agriculture allowed peoples to settle in one place

Native American Societies Early empires develop in the South Maya – Yucatan Peninsula Aztec – Mexico Inca – South America Societies arise in North America Anasazi – Southwest US Native American society was characterized by diversity Tribes adapted their way of life to the environments they lived in Pueblo - Built multi-story homes out of adobe Iroquois - Lived in the forest and hunted fish and game

Native American Societies What were some of the common characteristics that existed between Native American tribes? Land was not a commodity to be traded or sold Nearly all Native American tribes viewed the natural world as filled with spirits The family was the basic unit of organization in Native American tribes

European Societies of the 1400’s European societies were based on social hierarchy Feudalism Very little social mobility Christianity shaped the outlook of the European world The power of the Church influenced politics The Crusades The Crusades had two important consequences that encouraged European exploration: Opened up trade routes to Asia exposing Europeans to luxuries from the East Weakened the power of European nobles allowing monarchs to consolidate power

European Societies of the 1400’s During the 1400’s, four major nations were taking shape in Europe: Portugal, Spain, France, and England Interested in finding an alternative to the overland route to Asia Fueled by stories of wealth from the East Marco Polo (1200) Prominent Explorers of the Age of Exploration Prince Henry the Navigator – Monarch of Portugal who financed voyages of discovery Bartolomeu Dias – Portuguese explorer who was the first to reach the southern tip of Africa Vasco da Gama – Portuguese sailor who reached India by sailing around the southern tip of Africa

European Societies of the 1400’s What were some of the factors that helped to fuel the Age of Exploration? Christianity Strong desire to spread the teachings of Christ The Renaissance (1400’s) Spirit of inquiry influenced European explorers Desire for Wealth Sailing Technology Arab navigation Cartography Astrolabe Compass Caravel – A lighter more maneuverable ship that was able to sail against the wind