Chapter 2 Section 1

The Earliest Americans

First Migration to the Americas

1st people arrived in North America during the last Ice Age– Water froze into glaciers– Ocean levels dropped and a bridge between

northeast Asia and Alaska was exposed Bering Land Bridge

People called Paleo-Indians crossed bridge into Alaska between 38,000 & 10,000 BC– Nomadic – Hunter-gatherers

The End of the Ice Age

8000 BC glaciers melted and water rose– Covered land bridge

Created new environments Influenced development of different Native American

societies– Planted & farmed

Maize – corn Beans Squash

Farming allowed people to stop moving & settle in one place

Early Mesoamerican & South American Societies

Characteristics of a Civilization

1. Live in cities

2. Well organized government

3. Different social classes

4. Complex religion

5. Some form of record keeping

OLMEC

Earliest known civilization in the Americas Lived around Gulf of Mexico in modern day

Mexico Achievements:

1. Use of stone:- massive stone heads- 1st pyramids in America

2. Calendar

MAYA

Lived in the rainforests of present day Guatemala & Mexico Clear social hierarchy:

1. Priests

2. Nobles – warriors & government officials

3. Laborers & farmers

4. Slaves – POWs & criminals

MAYA continued

• Achievements:

1. Astronomy – 365 day calendar

2. Math – system of numbers w/ concept of zero

3. Built large cities• Around 900AD abandoned their temples and cities

• About 2 million people still speak Mayan languages today in Guatemala & Mexico

AZTEC

Once nomadic Settled around Lake Texcoco in Central Mexico created capital city of Tenochtitlan on island

– Built causeways to connect island to mainland VERY rich society because of trade & conquest Priests studied heavens

– Created calendar to tell when to plant & harvest crops– Did rituals to please gods– SUN GOD – battled across the heavens to rise every morning –

Aztec’s were the “Warriors of the Sun”– Gave human sacrifices to get the sun to rise every day

AZTEC continued

Social hierarchy:1. Emperor2. Priests/nobles3. Warriors4. Merchants/artisans5. Farmers6. Slaves

INCA

Settled in Andes Mountains– Western coast of South America – about 2500 miles– Capital – holy city of Cuzco

Strong central government– Emperor known as Sapa Inca – considered a god

Ruled over 12 million people– Used governors to go out into empire to make sure people were working for

the state Highways

– Paved roads

INCA continued

Record keeping – quipu Achievements:

1. Known for building and art- built stone temples using only human labor,

ropes and wooded rollers- Terraces – wide steps made into the land