The Beginning - From Asia to the Americas

• The first Americans reached the Americas between 10,000 to 100,000 years ago on glaciers on the Beringia

  • The land the connected Asia to Alaska, which is now the Bering Strait

• The first Native Americans were hunters and gatherers who followed mammoths and other animals

• The hunters and gatherers developed into more than 500 Native American tribes throughout the U.S.

Economy

• Different tribes developed their economy based on the geographical resources of the area

• Forested regions

  • Used spears and bows and arrows to catch moose, bear, and deer

• Ocean regions

  • Hunted whale, shelled fish, seal meat, and fish in kayaks

• Desert regions

  • Hunted buffalo, deer, and grew corn

Agriculture

• Later, Native Americans learned to farm certain crops, such as corn, beans, pumpkins, sunflowers, and squash

• Having stable food allowed the population to grow

• When Native Americans began to farm, they lived in permanent settlements and formed complex societies

Religion

• Native American religion is based on a strong bond with the land, plants, and animals. Religious ceremonies and daily customs are designed to honor the forces of the natural world.

Iroquois

• Lived in Eastern Woodlands

• Included 5 nations

  • Mohawk

  • Seneca

  • Onondaga

  • Oneida

  • Cayuga

• Clans of two or more families lived together in each village

• Women had political power, and they chose the chiefs who made up the ruling council. The women could remove a chief for poor leadership

Iroquois Nation

• For years, the Iroquois nation fought with each other and other tribes until 1570 when religious leader Dekanawida inspired Hiawatha, a Mohawk, to organize the alliance, which is known as the League of the Iroquois.

• Later the sixth nation, the Tuscarora, joined the league

• A council of 50 members, selected by women, made decisions. Each nation had 1 vote and all had to agree before any actions or laws were created

Iroquois and United States Constitution

• Many of the laws in the U.S. Constitution are based on the rules and voting procedures of the League of the Iroquois