North America before Columbus CH 1, Sec 1

Terms 1. Agricultural revolution 2. Tribute 3. Kiva 4. Pueblo 5. Beringia 6. Mesoamerica

First humans in America Possibly arrived bw 15-30,000 years ago Where did they come from? NE Asia How? Beringia. What was it? –Nomadic hunters - no agriculture –Traveled on land and water

From hunters to planters Around 10,000 years ago, people began to plant crops Agricultural revolution - Mesoamerica - parts of Mexico/C.Amer. First civilizations arise - Olmec First major city - Teotihuacan Built trade cities, monuments, weapons, tools; main crops were corn, beans

Mayans Yucatan Peninsula Engineering and mathematics - calendars linked with stars, pyramids Weakness = could not unify, frequently at war w each other Began their decline in 900s - famine, riots, bad soil

Aztecs Toltec - used gold/copper in art/jewelry Toltec defeated by Mexica aka Aztecs Major city - Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) Originally from American SW - Aztlan Strong military, demand tributes, sacrifices 5 million under rule at height ’s

Early technology in America From hunters/gatherers to farmers other civilizations used technology to thrive –Hohokam - water canals hundreds of miles –Anasazi - pueblos or villages near streams –Mississippians - Cahokia built large cities spread to the south –South - Cherokee in NC, TN; Creek dominated GA and AL areas - 50 villages