Native American Settlements and Developments

Southwest Native settlements (pre-1492)

known for their adobe houses, agriculture, and trade networks. Examples include the Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi), Hohokam, and Mogollon.

Northwest Native settlements (pre-1492)

known for their permanent settlements, complex social structures, and reliance on natural resources for sustenance and trade.

Great Plains (pre-1492)

Vast grassland region in North America, stretching from present-day Canada to Texas. Home to numerous Native American tribes, (Sioux, Cheyenne, and Pawnee) Rich in buffalo herds, which provided food, clothing, and shelter for indigenous peoples.

Midwest Native settlements (pre-1492)

semi-permanent and built near rivers. They practiced agriculture, grew crops like maize, beans, and squash, and hunted game. They lived in longhouses made of wood and bark, and some tribes built mounds for ceremonial purposes(ex: Cahokia and Mississippian cultures)

Northeast Native settlements (pre-1492)

characterized by longhouses, farming, and hunting. Tribes (Iroquois, Algonquin, and Wampanoag) built communal longhouses, practiced agriculture, and relied on hunting for sustenance. They formed alliances and engaged in trade networks for resources and cultural exchange.

Maize

native to the Americas, particularly important in American agriculture. Major staple food for indigenous civilizations, later adopted by European settlers. Diverse uses include food, animal feed, biofuel, and industrial products.

3 sister farming

corn, beans, and squash are grown together. Corn provides support for beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, and squash acts as a ground cover to suppress weeds. This symbiotic relationship maximizes crop yield and reduces the need for synthetic inputs.

Iroquois Confederacy

A powerful Native American alliance formed in the 16th century by the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca tribes. Based on a constitution called the Great Law of Peace. They practiced a matrilineal society and played a significant role in the colonial era.

Longhouse

Northeast Native settlement. Traditional dwelling of the Iroquoian people, such as the Haudenosaunee. Made of wood and bark, with a long rectangular shape and a peaked roof. They were communal living spaces, accommodating multiple families and serving as social and cultural centers.

Pueblo Revolt

Indigenous uprising in 1680 against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico. Led by Popé, it aimed to reclaim Native American lands, culture, and religious practices. The revolt resulted in the expulsion of Spanish settlers from the region for over a decade, marking a significant victory for Native American resistance.

Powhatan Confederacy

Native American alliance in Virginia during the 17th century. Led by Chief Powhatan, it included various tribes. Engaged in trade, farming, and warfare.