APUSH 1.2 Native American Societies Before European Contact

Complex social structures
Diverse and unique
Innovations in agriculture
Groups were distinguished by geographic and environmental factors including competition over resources
It is believed that the first people arrived in the Americas by crossing a now-flooded land bridge over the Bering Sea * It is assumed an Asian group migrated from Siberia * Groups slowly migrated further south and eventually populated the entire Americas
Between 5000 and 8000 BCE, hunting and gathering begins in the Great Plains region
Agriculture is based on maize/corn during this time, alongside squash and beans

Most elaborate early civilizations were in South and Central America * In Peru, the Incas had the largest empire in the Americas * The Mayan civilization was very strong and had written language, astrology, numerical systems, and an accurate calendar * They also had an advanced agricultural system * As well as established trade routes

Complex societies with hunting, gathering, and fishing
The Southwest * Elaborate and large irrigation systems to make the best of the dry climate * Cultivation of maize spreads here from the Mexican Heartland * Corn allows nomadic groups into settled villages * Towns had centers of trade, religion, culture, etc.
The Great Plains * Both settled groups farming maize as well as nomadic buffalo hunters
Woodlands * Densely packed tribes in the Eastern third of the future U.S. * These groups had advanced fishing, farming, gathering, and hunting * The South had large trade based on maize and other grains grown around the Mississippi * Known for their mounds * Common linguistic roots * Spread from present day Canada to Virginia * The Iroquois are in present up-state New York * It was rare for these tribes to unite against European threats