Unit 1 - Period 1 (1491-1607)

1492

Christopher Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue in 1492; 1491 represents everything that happened before 1492.

1607

Establishment of the first permanent colony in the Americas

The first permanent colony in the Americas

Jamestown

Major Meso-American Cultures

Aztec, Inca, Maya, Olmec

Characteristics of Meso-America

• Large urban centers

• Well-formed religion

• Complex political systems

• Written language

• Irrigation

• Maize origination

What did the introduction of maize cause?

Settled and large population.

Major Northeast/Great Lakes Cultures

Iroquois, Algonquins

Characteristics of Northeast/Great Lakes

• Hunting-and-Gathering

• “Three Sisters”

• Longhouses (200 ft long, matrilineal family)

• Intertribal warfare

• Large population

What were the “Three Sisters”

Squash, beans, corn

Environmental Impact of Northeast/Great Lakes

Burned forests for slash-and-burn agriculture

The Iroquois League

An agreement between 5 Iroquoian-speaking groups, meant to curb the inter triabal violence. Each group would maintain autonomy over local affairs, united over trade and diplomacy issues. Argued as the first democracy in North America.

Southeast Major Cultures

Cherokee, Creek

Southeast Characterisistics

• Settled Communities

• Will play a large role in Jackson’s presidency

• Grew tobacco

• Lived in Hamlets/Villages - Political units of under 1k ppl

• Sunflowers

Southeast Impact of the Environment

Fertile region = settled agriculture

Seminoles Houses

Southeast, villages out of chickees (buildings with thatched roofs & open sides).

Mississippian Major Cultures

Cahokia, Hopewell

Mississippian Characteristics

• Mound Culture = settled, complex society, extensive trading

• Major urban trade center along the Mississipppi River

• Largest city in North America until Philiadelphia 500 yrs later

Mississippian Environmental Impact

Fertile Region = Settled Agriculture; Population declined later on b/c of overhunting & deforestation

Great Plains and Great Basin Major Cultures

Sioux, Comanche, Wichita, Ute

Great Plains & Great Basin Characteristics

• Migratory/Nomadic

• Hunter-gatherer

• Bison hunters

• Teepees

• Used Horses after European introduction

Great Plains & Great Basin Environmental Impact

Arid/Dry environment, not suited for agriculture

What happened when horses were introduced to the Americas

Lakotas & Cheyennes gave up agriculture to become nomadic buffalo-hunters

Southwest Major Cultures

Pueblo, Hopi

Southwest Characteristics

• Sedcentary

• Cliff dwellings

• Mud brick (Hopi)

• Highly organized administration offices

• Most similar to Mesoamerican

• Maize

Southwest environmental impact

Dry environment, adapted irrigation & farming techniques, grew maize.

Pacific Northwest Major Cultures

Chinook, Chumash

Pacific Northwest Characteristics

• Fishing

• Plank Houses

• Permanent Settlements

• Deer

Pacific Northwest Environmental Impact

Forests, By the Sea

Arctic Major Cultures

Inuit

Arctic Characteristics

• Hunting and Gathering

• Fishing (seals)

Arctic Environmetnal Impact

Very Cold - people need to consume a larger amount of calories to survive.

Inuit Invention

Snow goggles - prevented snow blindness; typically made from the bones of walruses, antlers of caribous, or simple driftwood.

Which nation and who took over the Aztecs?

Spain, Hernan Cortes

Which nation and who took over the Incas?

Spain, Francisco Pizarro