Diverse Societies in the Americas (Module 1-1 Resource)

First peoples in America were:

Likely migrants from Northeast Asia.

Population estimates in the Americas before European contact

Range from 37-100 million.

Diverse societies in America by 1400s Included:

fishing villages, nomadic hunter-gatherers, and large city empires.

Agricultural revolution led to

complex societies with crop systems, domesticated animals, and developed tools.

Horticulture

Farming on small plots of land using simple tools.

Evolution of agriculture in ancient Mexico

Involved improvement of maize and cultivation of various nutritious crops.

Surplus food storage and trade

Supported by high yields from crops in ancient Mexico.

Emergence of complex societies

Resulted from intensive agriculture by 500 CE.

Maize cultivation by 1500 CE

Spread north and spurred economic development.

Aztecs, Maya, and Incas

Three major civilizations in the Americas by the early 16th century.

Location of Aztecs and Mayans

In the equatorial region.

Incas' location

Thrived along the Pacific coast of present-day Peru.

Technological advancements of Aztecs and Mayans

Included knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.

Tenochtitlan

Established by the Aztecs around 1325 CE.

Chinampas

Artificial islands in lakes/swamps used by the Maya for increased agriculture.

Maya trade networks

Involved trading pottery, cloth, and leather goods.

Decline of Maya civilization

Began around 800 CE with many cities and religious centers abandoned.

Incas' peak population

Controlled 16 million people across 350,000 square miles.

Cusco

Capital of the Inca civilization, located about 11,000 ft. above sea level.

Inca agriculture

Utilized terrace farming and irrigation systems.

Society of the Incas

Included a large labor force and human sacrifices to appease gods.

Hohokam civilization

Known for irrigation systems in Arizona/New Mexico.

Pueblo peoples' construction

Built adobe brick and masonry cliff dwellings.

Nomadic societies of the Great Plains

Hunted bison and used tools like the atlatl.

Ute people of the Great Basin

Foraged and hunted nomadically in desert areas.

Mandan peoples' lifestyle

Settled along rivers with fertile soil for farming and hunting.

Chumash lifestyle

Hunter-gatherers in permanent villages with extensive trade networks.

Pacific Northwest tribes' resources

Rich in salmon, elk, and forests.

Iroquois society structure

Matriarchal, with descent through maternal lines and women selecting leaders.