The First Americans

What do you know about the people who settled in the lands we now call North and South America?

Historical Timeline

20,000 years ago the first settlers came to North America from Asia by crossing the narrow plain that once connected Siberia and Alaska. This plain

was known as the Bering StraitLand Bridge

As the people migrated from Alaska to North and South America they developed different lifestyles depending on the resources and the climates that they found. These people, the first Americans, would be known as Native Americans.

As they settled, some groups (sometimes known as tribes) began to grow their own food.

Most survived by hunting and gathering and were nomadic.

By the time Columbus arrived in the New World there were:◦ 1 million Native Americans in what is now Canada

and the US.◦ 5 million Native Americans living Mexico and

Central America◦ 20 million Native Americans living in South

America◦ 3 million Native Americans living in the islands of

the Caribbean Sea

Native American Empires of Mexico and South America

On the back of your note sheet, please record three bits of information that you already know about the Mayas, Aztecs and Incas.

You may bullet your response.

Mid 1200’s – 1540’s

Mid 1100’s – 1520’s

250 - 900

Earliest Native American civilization Located in southern Mexico and Guatemala

(Yucatan Peninsula) Made discoveries in science, astronomy

(study of the stars) and mathematics. Developed the use of zero (0), calculated the

solar calendar and accurately predicted eclipses

Created unique sculptures, paintings, built pyramids, temples and canals

Were Polytheistic

Powerful people who created an empire about 700 years ago in central Mexico

Built stone works, pyramids and temples Used pictographs (writing with pictures) Created and used a calendar Built canals and used terrace farming

techniques Were Polytheistic, sacrificed people to

satisfy the gods.

Think About It! How do you think European explorers will react to some of the Aztecs religious practices? What do you think will be the result?

Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1519, saw the Aztec Empire as a good source of riches (gold and silver)

Was accepted by the Aztec King Moctezuma as a GOD

Cortes, along with a small army of 500+, will take Moctezuma prisoner and seize control of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital.

Moctezuma will be killed by Cortes and disease and warfare will bring an end to the Aztec.

Formed a large empire in the Andes Mountains in South America

Built bridges and roads to connect their territories

Built canals and terraces to improve farming

No writing system, kept records by tying knots on strings. System called khipu

Spanish explorer Pizarro lands in Inca territory in the 1530’s with approx. 400 men.

He unites the enemies of the Incas and attacks and captures the Inca capital of Cuzco and kills the Inca leaders.

By 1534, the Inca Empire is conquered.

Think about it!◦ Identify three things that you know about Native

Americans who lived in what is now present day Canada and the United States.

A great variety of Native American cultures existed in the lands of what would become the United States.

Over 500 different languages were spoken They grew plants like corn, tobacco and

potatoes. Each group developed their own rituals and

music

Lived in villages of several hundred people Grew corn, beans and squash (the 3 sisters) The Iroquois (located in NY and

Pennsylvania) formed a confederation of six nations (Iroquois, Mohawk, Seneca, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, and Tuscarora (1722)

Many lived in structures called longhouses

Located east of Rockies, west of Mississippi R. Area was lightly populated until horses were

introduced to North America by the Spanish Horses will allow Plains Indians to be nomadic,

following their main food source the buffalo Plains Indians used every bit of the buffalo

including the meat, skins, internal organs, brains and bones.

Lived in teepees which were easy to break down and move

Built adobe (sun-dried brick) buildings into the side of cliffs

Irrigated land and grew corn, beans and squash

Included groups like the Navajo and Apache

Groups living in this region fished for salmon and gathered plants to eat.

They carved fancy masks and totem poles

Eastern Woodlands

Plains

Southwest