1. Native Americans Background

2. What are the most important events in Early American History

3. What are the most important events in early New York History Iroquois Iroquois Women’s Rights Women’s Rights Erie Canal Erie Canal Holland Land Company Holland Land Company

4. Where do we start? Obvious start date is 1492 with Columbus’ arrival in the Americas Obvious start date is 1492 with Columbus’ arrival in the Americas To fully understand development of region need to examine years leading to the arrival of the Europeans in the Americas. To fully understand development of region need to examine years leading to the arrival of the Europeans in the Americas. The roots of Native American civilization The roots of Native American civilization

5. First Americans Common belief—Native Americans came from Asia Common belief—Native Americans came from Asia Crossed a land bridge between Asia and America (Beringia) Crossed a land bridge between Asia and America (Beringia) Likely unaware they were entering a new land. Likely unaware they were entering a new land. Migrations occurred over an extended period, involved small, independent groups of nomads Migrations occurred over an extended period, involved small, independent groups of nomads

6. Changing Climate Around 13,000 BC, global warming altered the North American continent Around 13,000 BC, global warming altered the North American continent Continental glaciers melted—Beringia was flooded Continental glaciers melted—Beringia was flooded Native American population is now isolated from rest of world. Native American population is now isolated from rest of world.

7. Native Peoples Expand Within a few thousand years-Native Americans reached the southern tip of South America Within a few thousand years-Native Americans reached the southern tip of South America Environment provided almost unlimited food supply—population grew rapidly Environment provided almost unlimited food supply—population grew rapidly Gradually food supply dies out—Loss of Woolly Mammoths and Mastodons. Gradually food supply dies out—Loss of Woolly Mammoths and Mastodons. Forced to develop new opportunities— small mammals, fish, nuts and berries Forced to develop new opportunities— small mammals, fish, nuts and berries

8. Agricultural Developments Begins around 2500 BC but in many areas not fully involved until around 700 AD. Begins around 2500 BC but in many areas not fully involved until around 700 AD. Learn to cultivate certain plants. Corn, Squash, beans Learn to cultivate certain plants. Corn, Squash, beans

9. Agricultural Developments However, Farming was not an inevitable outcome for Native Americans However, Farming was not an inevitable outcome for Native Americans Where climate favored it, people tended to adopt farming as a way of increasing production. Where climate favored it, people tended to adopt farming as a way of increasing production. Where other options remained-- hunting and gathering was emphasized. Where other options remained-- hunting and gathering was emphasized. Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest Great PlainsGreat Plains Facilitated the establishment of permanent settlements Facilitated the establishment of permanent settlements Produced ceramics—pottery for the storage of grain Produced ceramics—pottery for the storage of grain

10. Typical land usage patterns Native American tended to move from habitat to habitat Native American tended to move from habitat to habitat Seeking maximum abundance through minimum work—This remains a pattern of hunting and gathering peoples Seeking maximum abundance through minimum work—This remains a pattern of hunting and gathering peoples Tended to reduce impact on landTended to reduce impact on land This policy of mobility and freedom would frequently put the Native Americans in conflict with Europeans. This policy of mobility and freedom would frequently put the Native Americans in conflict with Europeans.

11. Successful Civilizations Several groups reflect success of Native peoples in North America prior to European contact Several groups reflect success of Native peoples in North America prior to European contact Anasazi Culture(New Mexico)— built massive pueblo structures that housed as many as 15,000 peopleAnasazi Culture(New Mexico)— built massive pueblo structures that housed as many as 15,000 people Developed sophisticated irrigation system Developed sophisticated irrigation system Well developed network of roads Well developed network of roads Cahokia(Mississippi Valley)—huge settlement of mound building people near present-day St. Louis.Cahokia(Mississippi Valley)—huge settlement of mound building people near present-day St. Louis. Community supported over 20,000 residents Community supported over 20,000 residents About the size of medieval London About the size of medieval London Dominated a region of several hundred miles Dominated a region of several hundred miles

12. Trade Both civilizations disappeared prior to the arrival of Europeans Both civilizations disappeared prior to the arrival of Europeans It is likely that simple agricultural methods were unable to support long-term large populations. It is likely that simple agricultural methods were unable to support long-term large populations. Collapse of cities disrupted trade networks Collapse of cities disrupted trade networks Some goods pass from tribe to tribe, but flow reduced to a trickle by time of Europeans. Some goods pass from tribe to tribe, but flow reduced to a trickle by time of Europeans. Tribes throughout North America exist in relative isolation Tribes throughout North America exist in relative isolation

13. Eastern Woodland Cultures Indians living in the Northeast region numbered about 1 million at time of first contact. Indians living in the Northeast region numbered about 1 million at time of first contact. Generally supplemented farming with seasonal hunting and gathering. Generally supplemented farming with seasonal hunting and gathering. Small bands formed villages during warm months—cultivated corn and other cropsSmall bands formed villages during warm months—cultivated corn and other crops Typically broke into small bands during winter—living off the landTypically broke into small bands during winter—living off the land

14. Eastern Woodlands Cultures English settlers initially contacted Algonquian-speaking peoples. English settlers initially contacted Algonquian-speaking peoples. Lived along Atlantic Coast from Maine to North Carolina.Lived along Atlantic Coast from Maine to North Carolina. Despite their language ties, most Algonquian groups shared few common bonds.Despite their language ties, most Algonquian groups shared few common bonds. These divisions facilitated conquest by the Europeans These divisions facilitated conquest by the Europeans

15. At time of European contact, Native Americans represented over 2,000 cultures, spoke hundreds of different languages and made their living in scores of different environments. At time of European contact, Native Americans represented over 2,000 cultures, spoke hundreds of different languages and made their living in scores of different environments. Native Americans encountered by Columbus were relatively primitive, but other civilizations such as the Incas in Peru and the Aztecs in Mexico were in some respects as developed as any in Europe or Asia. Native Americans encountered by Columbus were relatively primitive, but other civilizations such as the Incas in Peru and the Aztecs in Mexico were in some respects as developed as any in Europe or Asia.