1. Populating the Americas
Development of Native American Culture

2. Populating the Americas
Land bridge (Beringa) existed that connected Eurasia to North America (25,000 – 10,000 years ago)
For 15,000 years the Americas are populated.
When the glaciers melted, the Americas become isolated from the rest of the world.

3. Early Life for Native Americans
Native Americans were mainly nomads
Individuals who moved around to find food.
Lived off the land by hunting, fishing, and gathering
Consequences of nomadic life:
Small population growth
No formal gov’t, writing system, or complex religion
Everyone is focused on survival needs

4. Agricultural Revolution (~10,000 BC)
Native Americans learn to grow crops– move away from nomadic lifestyle sedentary= stay in one place.
Three sisters farming: squash, corn (maize), beans
Consequences of this Lifestyle:
Population boom due to steady/increasing food supply
Specialization of labor
As a result formal gov’t, writing system, and religion begin to form

5. Civilizations begin to form
Civilizations Form
Civilizations begin to form
By 1492* it is estimated that 54 million people lived in the Americas, comprising hundreds of tribes
*when Columbus arrived
Powerful empires like the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca developed
Maya located on Yucatan Peninsula in Central America; AD
Aztec located in Central Mexico; s AD
Inca located around Andes Mountains; s AD

6. A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Southwest
Located along Rio Grande
Farming (“Three Sisters” and cotton) along with hunting and gathering
Lived in villages—pueblo is Spanish for “village”
Houses with multiple stories
Homes made of bricks, utilizing the clay soil.
Warm, humid climate with minimal rainfall– relied heavily on agriculture.

7. A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Plains Indians
Farmed along river valleys—“Three Sisters” plus sunflowers and tobacco
Lived in teepees, which could be collapsed for transport to a new location.
Hunted buffalo—but there were no horses in the Americas before the Spanish arrived
Utilized every part of the buffalo– not just for food.
Settled around pueblos to trade during the winter
Moderate temperatures good for crops.

8. A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures-Southeastern Indians
Movement of Mississippians from large settlements to smaller villages along river valleys
City of Cahokia had 25,000 people living in it
Built a great mound in the middle of the city
Each tribe was divided into smaller clans
Hunted animals like deer in the winter
Very skilled farmers– three sisters
Warm, temperate climate

9. A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Eastern Woodlands
Groups such as Algonquin and Iroquois
Algonquins lived in wigwams (round, covered in bark)
Iroquois lived in longhouses (about 10 families in each)
Mixture of farming and hunting
Slash-and-burn agriculture
Relied heavily on access to water, forests and small animals.
Variations of climate, landscape, and natural resources wide variations of culture

10. A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Intermountain and Pacific Northwest
Diverse– over 100 tribes; 200+ dialects
Small, family-based bands of hunter-gatherers (roots, berries, etc.)
Small villages– riverbanks (inland)
In the desert, the temperature is extreme temperatures and little rainfall.
The mountain ranges it has mild climate and many redwood trees.
Northwest:
Mild climate
Lots of natural resources
Proximity to water– seafood
Permanent villages (100s of people)