1. Chapter 1 Roots of the American People
7th Grade Social Studies
Pages 5 -27

2. Section 1 – The Earliest Americans
How did early civilization develop in the Americas?
How have scientists developed theories of the migration to the Americas?
Where were the major civilizations in the Americas?
What parts of culture developed within the earliest American cultures?

3. The Ice Age
It is believe that GLACIERS play a critical factor in development of the Americas.
20,000-30,000 years ago ice covered many parts of the world (land and water), causing lower sea levels.
As glaciers expanded they required more water. Much of this water was obtained through the oceanic water supply.
As glaciers expanded water levels dropped exposing more dry land.

4. Land Bridge Theory
The Land Bridge Theory claims that during the Ice Age, ocean levels dropped and exposed dry land connecting Siberia and Alaska.
The new exposed lands connected Asia to the Americas.
Scientists believe the reason people came to the Americas between 20,000 to 30,000 years ago following/hunting the woolly mammoth.

5. #1. What could force humans/animals to migrate?
Humans and animals could be forced to migrate if there was a lack of food in an area or that the climate was becoming unfavorable.

6. Other Theories?
Some scientists believe people may have traveled by sea which is known as the Coastal-route Theory.
Other believe earlier Europeans trucked across the outer perimeters of the Northern Atlantic Glacier area.

7. Cultivation and Farming
People started planting squash and lima beans and discovered how to farm/cultivate the land. Farming communities eventually grew into cities.
Cities were a critical step in the development of the Americas, because people were then able to focus on other aspects of life, like culture!

8. #2. Why would the development of cities be an important factor?
Cities allow people to communicate and interact with one another. This interaction allows humans to develop a sense of culture. People living in cities are able to secure permanent survival needs like food and shelter. This allows them to focus on different aspects of life.

9. Developing Civilizations
A civilization is an advanced culture in which people have moved away from just simple survival mode and started developing cities, sciences and industries.
There were three major civilizations that developed in the Americas. They were the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.

10. Mayans!
Mayan civilization lasted for more than 2,000 years, but weakened and eventually ended between the period from about 300 A.D. to 900 A.D.
The Mayans developed arts, a system of government and written language. They also studied the stars and created one of the most accurate calendars to date!

11. The Mayas played a game called Pok-a-Tok during religious ceremonies on sacred ball courts.
Chichén Itzá was the centre of political, religious and military power in Yucatán, if not all of South-eastern Meso America.

12. #3. Why was the development of a calendar an important innovation?
The development of a calendar by the Mayans allowed them to accurately plan for the planting and harvesting seasons. This allow the Mayans to become more successful farmers.

13. Aztecs!
The Aztecs were very religious and life depended on pleasing the gods. The Aztecs typically practiced sacrifices, including human sacrifices, to please their gods.
To produce enough food to support their population, the Aztec constructed chinampas, or raised garden beds, in swampland and shallow water.

14. The Aztecs built their capital city, called Tenochtitlan, in the center of enormous Lake Texcoco.
The Aztec practiced human sacrifice. Aztec history claims that at one point they sacrificed 20,000 people after a war campaign. This is the Wall of Skulls.

15. The Incas
The Incas did not develop a written language, but were still able to build a vast highway network in the Andes Mountains that is still used today.
They were the world’s first brain surgeons.
They also built elaborate cities high in the Andes Mountains.

16. Mayans – The Mayans developed sciences, arts, government and calendars within their civilization.
Aztecs – The Aztecs were extremely religious and forced their attention to the gods.
Incas – The Incas were an advanced civilization who developed a vast highway system, despite not having a written language.

17. #4. Why would an advance highway network be important for the Incas?
An advance highway network allowed the Incas to travel across difficult terrain more efficiently. This advanced highway network allowed better communication throughout the Inca Empire.

18. Section 2 – Cultures of North America
How did geography influence the development of cultures in North America?
What were major contributions to developing cultures and civilizations?

19. Native American Cultures
As groups of people started living together, they developed unique ways of living. The aspects of their daily life: music, religion, art, stories and traditions become a part of their culture.
Cultures of North America started to develop around 3,000 years ago ranging from the Appalachian Mountains to the Pacific Coast.
Throughout North America, people began developing different cultures that were influenced on the geographical features around them.

21. Geography established different cultures
The Mississippians of the Mississippi River Valley were very religious and built large mounds for their burial sites.
The Anasazi of the Southwest portion of the United States lived in the cliffs and made pottery from the clay.
The Hohokam of the Southwest became farmers and traded with the coastal people of the California Coast.

22. How did agriculture affect Native Americans’ way of life?
Native Americans were able to grow and store their food in one location.
Agriculture allowed for Native Americans to research and invent new technology and develop new tools.
Agriculture created a population growth, which allowed for civilizations to develop.

23. #1. How did agriculture change the lives of Native Americans?
The development of agriculture allowed Native Americans to grow and store more food. The larger food production lead to an increase in population. As people continued to focus on agriculture they improved their tools and farming techniques.

24. Connection with the Natural World
Nature was a part of Native Americans’ daily lives. Their lifestyle/survival depended on the results of the harvest from their crops.

25. #2. Why do Native Americans use nature in their oral history?
Native Americans were dependent on the forces of nature. This is why many tribes observed and referenced nature throughout their culture.

27. History, Beliefs and Traditions
Native Americans educated their youth mainly through oral tradition. Storytellers memorized history and beliefs and then recited them in forms of stories, songs or poems.

29. Native Americans and North American Climates
Native American cultures were influenced by various climates and living conditions across North America.

30. #3. Why did Native American lives vary across the continent?
Native Americans adapted to the climate around them. Therefore, different regions across North America had different tribes that developed different cultures or ways of living.

31. Far North
The Native Americans of the Far North, built kayaks and hunted marine mammals, fish and caribou for survival.

32. Northwest
The Native Americans of the Northwest hunted deer and bears and fished for salmon. They were also able to establish permanent settlements without the use of agricultural methods.

33. Far West
In the Far West winters were cold in the forest and grasslands, but further south conditions changed to desert like atmosphere.

34. Southwest
The Native Americans of the Southwest learned how to collect and store rain for the dry times in the desert atmosphere.

35. Great Plains
The Native Americans of the Great Plains hunted the buffalo for many reasons. The buffalo provided them with food, clothing, shelter, tools and weaponry.

36. Eastern Woodland
The earliest woodland people lived by hunting, fishing and foraging for nuts and berries.
They lived throughout the Great Lake region and along the Atlantic Coast.
The two most dominate groups were the Algonquian and Iroquois tribes.

37. 4. Out of the Native American cultures we discussed, what culture do you think relates most with Native Americans living in the boundaries of New York State?
The Eastern Woodland region, is the Native American culture that relates most to the Native Americans that lived in New York State. Their culture focused on farming and hunting. They lived in shelters known as long houses.
The major Native American tribe/nation that live in Central New York was known as the Iroquois. This nation was comprised of five major tribes: Seneca, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga and Mohawk.

38. Iroquois
The Native American group that lived in New York was the Iroquois. The Iroquois were made up of five distinct nations. In the Iroquois culture women had the greatest amount of influence on the society.

39. Southeast
The two major Native American groups living in the Southeast were the Cherokees and Creeks.
These tribes built their houses out of wooden frames, covered with straw mats. They covered the interior of the house with mud to keep it cool and dry.