The First Americans

Arrival

● Between 10,000-100,000 years ago, glaciers covered the earth

● A land bridge was formed between Siberia and Alaska

First Americans

● Scientists estimated that the first Americans came across the land bridge 20,000-30,000 years ago

● They were hunter-gatherers

Farmers

● Animals began to disappear causing the Native Americans to begin farming

● This allowed them to stay in one location

● Irrigation

Irrigation: a method to water crops by channeling water from rivers or streams

Earliest Civilizations

● Mayas● Aztecs● Incas

Civilization: advanced culture in which people have developed cities, science, and industries

First Cultures in North America

● all were doing whatever it took to get their basic needs

● shared beliefso close relationship to the natural worldo many rituals

Far North Tribes

● People of the Arctic lived in ice and snow all year long

● hunted whales, seals, walruses, caribou, and fished

● Examples were the Inuits and Cree

Northwest

● Abundance of food existed in this regiono Deer, bears, berries, and salmon

● Many families were wealthy (for the times)● Examples were the Coos and the Tlingit

Southwest

➢ Very dry most of the year➢ They had to conserve their crops for the dry

season➢ They built houses out of sun-dried brick➢ The Pueblo Indians were an example

Great Plains

❏ This land was between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains

❏ They lived mainly by farming❏Women planted corn, beans, and squash❏ In the west many people lived in tepees❏Hunted buffalo❏ Examples were the Blackfeet, Dakota,

Cheyenne, and Comanche

Eastern Woodlands

● This area was covered by forests, birches, pines, and beeches

● They lived by hunting, fishing, and getting berries and nuts from trees

● Iroquois were the major tribe in this region○ women had great power○ owned all property

Southeast

❖ This included the Cherokee and Creek❖ The winters were mild and summers hot❖ houses were built on wooden frames and

covered with straw, then mud clay was plastered on to keep cool