The First Americans

The European’s Arrive Europeans and other groups did not start arriving in North America until around 500 years ago. For thousands of years, the first Americans had the American continents to themselves. Europeans and other groups did not start arriving in North America until around 500 years ago. For thousands of years, the first Americans had the American continents to themselves.

Decoding the Past These early people left few written records. – Researchers study other items they left behind. – Items that have survived: few animal and human bones, some stone and metal tools, and bits of pottery. – Scientists try to study these items to figure out how these people lived.

Chapter Goals

Anasazi Indians The Anasazi Indians adapted to their environment by building homes in the stone cliffs of the U.S. Southwest.

Section 2 - Migration Routes of the First Americans

Migration Routes The last Ice Age was when a land bridge connected Asia and North America. This Ice Age exposed a wide bridge of land between Asia and North America that scientists call Beringia.

The Great Migration Animals and Humans migrated over this land bridge. Migrated = to move from one place and establish a home in a new place. A move of a large number of people is called a migration, and the people are called migrants

Over thousands of years, the animals slowly spread eastward. Generations of Siberian hunter families followed. Once in America, hunters followed the animals south, where spring brought fresh grasses As the glaciers melted and the oceans rose, the land bridge disappeared. The people and animals who were here, stayed and lived their lives.

Mammoths As the Earth warmed up, Mammoths began to die off. They could have died off from: – Disease – Overhunting – Changes in climate

New Ways to Survive So these people, now known to us as American Indians, became hunter- gatherers, catching smaller animals, fishing more, and collecting edible plants and seeds. Hunter-Gatherers = people who survive by hunting, fishing, or foraging in the wild.

Do Now Answer Questions 1 & 2 on Reading Notes Worksheet. We will share our answers as a class.

Reminder: Quiz Tomorrow! Here is what is on your quiz: – Chapter 1, Sections 1 & 2 (you have copies of both these sections) – Materials from your notes – Vocabulary you should know: Resourceful Migrate / Migration Environment – Where the first Americans came from, where they went, and how they got there

Section 3 - The First Americans Adapt to the Environment

Using Natural Resources American Indians learned to use the natural resources in their environments for food, clothing, and shelter. What are some examples of ways American Indians used natural resources?

The First Americans Adapt to the Environment Now, finish reading Section 3 and answer questions 1, 2, 3 for Section 3 on your Reading Notes worksheet.

Homework Read Section #4 and complete the Reading Notes for section 4 from the Reading Notes Worksheet

American Indians had a strong connection to their surroundings. They believed that all humans, animals, plants, and even inanimate objects had their own spirit.

Nature’s Spirits – Because American Indians believed that everything had a spirit, they had to maintain a balance with these spirits. – For example: Southwest farmers made corn part of every ceremony (as a way to be thankful for the corn) Hunters gave thanks to the animals they kills

Europeans – believed you could own land as private property American Indians – did not believe you could own land as private property American Indians modified the land as they needed but did not hurt the land. They believed they were apart of the land just as the animals and plants were.

Not Wasteful American Indians were never wasteful. If they killed an animal, they used every piece of that animal: – Meat for food – Bones for tools – Skin for clothing / housing

The Northwest Coast cultural region extends from southern Oregon into Canada.

ClimateLandscapeFood Sources AdaptationsNatural Resources Other Important Facts

ClimateLandscapeFood SourcesAdaptationsNatural Resources Other Important Facts

Climate LandscapeFood SourcesAdaptationsNatural Resources Other Important Facts

ClimateLandscapeFood SourcesAdaptationsNatural Resources Other Important Facts

ClimateLandscapeFood SourcesAdaptationsNatural Resources Other Important Facts

ClimateLandscapeFood SourcesAdaptationsNatural Resources Other Important Facts

ClimateLandscapeFood SourcesAdaptationsNatural Resources Other Important Facts

Chapter Summary