1. Native American History
Theme #3

2. Pre-Columbian Societies
Native Americans likely arrived from Asia via Bering Land Bridge
slowly spread throughout Americas over thousands of years
divided into hundreds of culturally diverse tribes with many diff languages
most lived in semi-permanent settlements with small populations
widespread cultivation of crops like corn, beans, squash, and tobacco
complex societies did develop in a few regions
Pueblos in the Southwest
Mound-builder culture in the Mississippi River Valley
Mayas and Aztecs in Mesoamerica (Central America)
Incas in the Andes Mountains of Peru (South America)

3. Contact with Europeans
the Columbian Exchange caused drastic changes throughout globe
exchange of plants, animals, people and culture across both sides of Atlantic
New World crops had a dramatic influence on Europe
Old World animals revolutionized life in the New World
Old World diseases had a disastrous impact on Native Americans
Natives suffered severe population declines because they lacked immunity to smallpox and other European diseases
Native Americans had no concept of private property
fueled generations of disputes with colonists and American settlers
political and linguistic differences often kept American Indians from uniting in opposition to colonists and settlers

4. American Indians and Colonists
Iroquois Confederacy was most important Native American alliance
5 tribes formed most important political organization to confront colonists
numerous conflicts erupted between Natives and colonists
notable conflicts: Pequot War, Anglo-Powhatan Wars, King Philip’s War
1680 Pueblo Revolt against the Spanish in NM was the most successful act of Native resistance to European colonization
Natives played a significant role in the French and Indian War
1763 Pontiac’s Rebellion resulted from dissatisfaction with postwar policies
King George III responded to Pontiac’s Revolt by issuing Proclamation of 1763

5. Early U.S. History
U.S. defeated a Native coalition in 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers
resulting Treaty of Greenville opened much of Ohio region to U.S. settlement
Tecumseh and The Prophet tried to organize Native resistance
coalition was defeated by William H. Harrison in 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe
Tecumseh and many other natives sided with British during the War of 1812
President Jackson strongly supported the 1830 Indian Removal Act
decision in Worcester v. Georgia supported Cherokee land claims
Jackson ignored the ruling and forced the Cherokee to march Trail of Tears

6. The Great Plains Indian Wars
Plains Indian culture developed from contact with Spanish horses
several nomadic tribes that followed buffalo migrations
U.S. expansion led to decades of wars with Plains Indian tribes
1876 Battle of Little Big Horn turned public opinion against Plains Indians
the Ghost Dance movement intensified U.S. paranoia and fear
1890 Battle of Wounded Knee was last act of armed resistance against U.S.
the slaughter of 70 million buffalo effectively ended Plains culture
Helen Hunt Jackson aroused public awareness of the wrongs inflicted on Native Americans in her book Century of Dishonor

7. 20th Century Native American History
1934 Indian Reorganization Act repealed the Dawes Act of 1887
restored tribal control of lands and supported the preservation of unique Native American cultures
American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded in 1968
sought to achieve self-determination, revive tribal traditions, and to address problems plaguing Native Americans like unemployment and poverty
1975 Indian Self-Determination Act gave reservations and tribal lands greater control over internal programs, education, and law enforcement
1978 Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act addressed issues like unemployment and poverty by improving education