APUSH Unit 1 Terms

1491

1491

This term refers to the year before Christopher Columbus arrived in America (in 1492), symbolizing a time when indigenous cultures thrived across North America without European influence or interference.

Apache

are Native American tribes that traditionally lived in the Southwestern United States including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and parts of Colorado.

Arctic and subarctic region

This region refers to areas around Earth's North Pole (Arctic) or just below it (Subarctic), characterized by extremely cold temperatures, ice-covered seas and treeless landscapes.

Cherokee

are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern woodlands, who were forcibly relocated westward to Oklahoma on what became known as 'The Trail of Tears.'

Chinook

are Native American tribes who lived in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, particularly along the Columbia River. They were known for their fishing skills and plank houses.

Chumash

are a Native American people who historically inhabited the central and southern coastal regions of California, particularly around Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, as well as three Channel Islands.

Coos

a Native American tribe from the Pacific Northwest, specifically in what is now Oregon. They traditionally lived along the Coos River and South Slough of Coos Bay.

Cree

one of the largest groups of First Nations Native Americans in North America. They live across Canada and parts of the United States including Montana and Oklahoma.

Eskimo

is used to describe the indigenous people who inhabit the Arctic regions of Alaska, Greenland, Siberia, and Canada. They are known for their ability to adapt to extremely cold environments.

First Nation Peoples

refers to indigenous peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. In broader context, it can also refer to original inhabitants of any land before colonization.

Great Basin Region

an arid expanse covering parts of Nevada, Utah, California, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon. It's characterized by desert conditions with numerous mountain ranges running north-south.

Great Plains

a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, that lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada.

Mesa Verde National Park Cliff Palace

the largest cliff dwelling in North America, located in Mesa Verde National Park. It was built by Ancestral Puebloans around 1190 AD and showcases their architectural, cultural, and societal achievements.

Navajo

a Native American tribe primarily living in Arizona and New Mexico. They are known for their complex clan system, weaving, and code talking during World War II.

Nez Perce

Native American tribe who traditionally lived in the Plateau Region. They were skilled horsemen and hunters known for their distinct culture and resistance against U.S. expansion into their lands.

Nomadic Hunting and Gathering Tribes

These tribes did not settle permanently in one location but moved regularly following game animals (hunting) and seasonal growths of plants (gathering). This lifestyle was common among many early human societies across North America before agriculture developed.

Northeast (Eastern Woodlands) Region

to a geographical area that includes states from Maine down to Maryland along with parts of Canada. This region was home to various Native American tribes including Iroquois Confederacy and Algonquin-speaking tribes.

Northwest Coast and California Region

This term refers to the geographical area along the Pacific coast of North America, stretching from southern Alaska to northern California. It is known for its diverse indigenous cultures.

Permanent Settlements

refer to places where people have decided to live indefinitely. These are typically characterized by permanent structures like houses, schools, and other buildings.

Plateau Region

is an area in the United States located between the Cascade Range and Rocky Mountains, primarily in parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. It's known for its high plains and plateaus.

Pueblo

are a group of Native American people in the Southwestern United States, particularly New Mexico and Arizona. They are known for their unique architecture, including multi-story houses made from adobe or stone.

Shoshone

are a Native American tribe with diverse groups spread across parts of what are now Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and California.

Sioux

are a group of Native American tribes that historically lived in the Great Plains region of North America. They are known for their warrior culture and resistance against U.S. expansion into their territories.

Southeast Region

refers to the geographical area of the United States that includes states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and others. This region is known for its diverse cultures and histories, including significant Native American populations such as the Cherokee and Seminole tribes.

Southwest Region

in the context of AP US History refers to the geographical area that includes states like Arizona, New Mexico, parts of Texas and Oklahoma. This region was home to Native American tribes such as the Navajo, Apache, and Pueblo.

Tlingit

are indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, specifically Alaska. They have a rich cultural heritage with complex social structure and art forms.