Vol 1. Pre-Columbian American Indians Groups

GROUPS

After their arrival, Americans Indians began to spread out and adapt to their environments. In North America, these groups lived in small groups with very different languages and cultures. In MesoAmerica and South America, longer growing seasons and the ability to grow maize allowed for larger more developed societies.

Eastern Woodlands: Algonquin, Iroquois, Miami

• Hunter, traders, farmers

• Long Houses, extended families, matriarchal

• Military Alliances, Iroquois Confederacy

Southeastern: Cherokee, Seminole

• Skilled artisans and farmers (three sister farming)

• Large populations with many separate tribes

• Most developed societies north of Mexico

Great Basin/Plateau: Paiute, Comanche Nez Perce, Flathead

• Foragers and gatherers

• Small loosely constructed tribes

Plains: Sioux, Arapaho

• Nomadic hunting buffalo for clothes shelter and food

• Master horsemen due to Columbian Exchange

• Limited farming

Southwestern: Pueblo, Apache

• Adobe and stone dwellings

• Developed irrigation systems (Hopi Corn)

• Artistic pottery and weaving

California: Pomo, Miwok

• Plentiful food

• Elaborate reed and shell artwork

Northwest Coast: Chinook, Makah

• Abundant hunting, fishing salmon, sealing, and whaling

• Thick forests provided wood for art (Totem Poles, etc.), dugouts, and houses

Far North: Eskimo, Inuit

• Hunting of seals, whales, fish, and caribou

• Lived in wood framed sod dwellings

Mesoamerica: Aztecs, Mayan, Arawak

• Advanced civilizations

• Extensive farming of maize

South America: Inca

• Builders, architects

• System of roads

• Centralized gov't

TRANSFORMING THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Transforming their environment: After their arrival in the Americas, American Indians began to adapt to and manipulate their environment.

• Adobe and stone dwellings and irrigation in Southwest

• Mound building eastern woodlands

• Setting of fires to create hunting and farming areas

• Terrace farming

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

1. Which of the following had the most profound impact on the populations of the pre-Columbian American Indian tribes?

a. The use of horses

b. The ability to cultivate maize

c. Military alliances among tribes

d. Development of an effective calendar

2. Pre Columbian societies were most densely populated in what area?

a. Pacific Northwest

b. Eastern Woodland

c. Southwest

d. Mesoamerica

3. Due to their ability to grow Maize, the Aztecs were able to do all of the following except

a. Settle in one area for a longer time

b. Increase their population

c. Better the health and longevity of their people

d. Trade extensively with Europe

Answers and Explanations to be POSTED tomorrow.

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