1. 1.1 & 1.2: The Americas, West Africa and Europe Jachimiec U.S. History 2015-16

2. Ancient Cultures in the Americas First hunters arrived 22,000 years ago (Ice Age) via Beringia land bridge Agricultural Revolution 8000-3000 B.C. Mix of nomadic and farming tribes

3. Great Empires of Middle and South America Olmecs (1200-400 B.C.) in southern Mexico Maya (250-900 A.D.) in southern Mexico and Guatemala Aztecs (1200s-1500s A.D.) in south-central Mexico Incas (peak around 1400 A.D.) in Andean highlands of Ecuador, Peru and Chile

4. Olmec “Colossal Head”

5. Chichen Itza

6. Tenochtitlan, Valley of Mexico

8. Machu Picchu, Peru

9. North American Tribes Diverse climates=diverse peoples and ways of life Sophisticated trade patterns, roads

10. Cahokia, Illinois

11. Mississippian Mound Cultures

12. Common Traits Highly religious and ritualistic Extensive trade Land not treated as a commodity (source of life) Animistic beliefs Kin-based relationships organize clans and tribes

13. West Africa Large, powerful kingdoms and sophisticated societies Connected by trade to Europe, Middle East and Far East – Gold – Salt Kinship bonds highly important Polytheistic religions that favor a single creator Collective ownership of lands according to family, village and/or tribe Trade (including slave trade) begins with Portuguese arrival in 1440s

14. Caravan to Timbuktu

15. Europe Social class dictates position in life. Low social mobility Renaissance (1400-1600): rediscovery of classical learning and artistic/cultural reawakening Christianity dominate religion – Split within the Church in 1500s between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism (Reformation) 1400s- emergence of strong nations: England, France, Spain and Portugal

18. Age of Exploration: Why? Interest in Far East (Marco Polo, Crusades) Desire for more efficient trade routes to get exotic goods (spices) – Want to bypass Muslim overland routes Monarchs see expansion as a way to increase their wealth and prestige. – 3 G’s: Gold, God & Glory

19. Age of Exploration: How? Improvements in cartography (map-making) Technological improvements – Astrolabe – Magnetic compass – Caravel/Lateen sails