Chapter 11 – The Chapter 11 – The AmericasAmericas

SummarySummary• Culture and early life of

Americans similar to Mesopotamia, Indus River, Egypt, Huang He

• Reliance upon water• Geography & climate enable

Americans to build a civilization

SummarySummary• The early inhabitants of the Americas probably

traveled from Asia across atraveled from Asia across a Bering Strait Bering Strait land bridgeland bridge produced by the Ice Age.

• The Mayan, Aztec, and IncanMayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations developed and administered complex societies.

• DiseasesDiseases that Europeans brought to the Americas contributed to contributed to the downfall of early Americans.the downfall of early Americans.

Section 1-5

Sioux Warrior ShirtSioux Warrior Shirt

The Grand CouncilThe Grand Council• The Iroquois League The Iroquois League was as model

for British colonies.

• Ben Franklin used the Iroquois League as an example for American democracy.

• The men were hunters and warriors. • The women owned the longhouses, and

harvested the crops– corn, beans, and squash, called the “three sisters.”“three sisters.”

The Great Peace =The Great Peace = alliance of the 5 alliance of the 5 groups of Iroquoisgroups of Iroquois

Principles: 1. do not act on self-interest2. act for the welfare of the

whole3. act with the good of future

generations in mind

Video: Mystery of the AnasaziVideo: Mystery of the Anasazi

MesoAmericansMesoAmericans

• the name for areas of Mexico and Central America that were civilized before the Spaniards arrived.

• Teotihuacán [TAY oh wuh KAHN](“Place of the Gods”) was

Mesoamerica’s first major city.

What Happened to the Mayans?

Video: City of Chichen Itza

Aztec Turquoise Mosaic SerpentAztec Turquoise Mosaic Serpent

TeotihuacánTeotihuacán [TAY oh wuh KAHN]

•Located near where Mexico City is today

•200,000 inhabitants •200 ft tall Pyramids

Video: The Spirit of the Ancestors – Maya Today