The 1 st Americans Before: Skim and Scan Section 1 and write a short prediction.

The 1st AmericansBefore: Skim and Scan Section 1 and write a

short prediction .

Chapter 16 Section 1 Questions

1. Scientists believe Asian people crossed the __________ land bridge to come to the Americas.

2. The first American people were ______________. 3. In South America between A.D. 100 & 700, the

______________ people used irrigation to make the desert bloom with crops.

4. Early North American people, the __________, lived in apartments carved into cliffs.

5. This early culture was known for its large-scale farming & large cities.

Pathway to the Americas• Scientist believe that an area of dry land, called

Beringia, connected Asia and Alaska. • During the Ice Age water froze into huge

Glaciers. As the ice froze, the seas fell, exposing the land below.

• Scientist think that hunters from Asia followed animals into North America.

• Hunters moved constantly searching for food. They hunted, fished, and gathered fruits , berries, and nuts.

1st American Civilizations• After the Ice Age the climate warmed. People

discovered they could grow crops for food. • Farming began in Mesoamerica. It stretches

from the valley of Mexico to Costa Rica.• Early Americans developed corn or maze. Corn

became the most important crop in the Americas.

• Farming allowed people to establish permanent settlements and develop more complex societies.

1st American Civilizations• 1200 B.C. – the Olmec built a large trading empire

near present day Vera Cruz. They used rivers to travel, and traded salt and beans for jewelry, obsidian, and other stones.

• Teotihuacan – important city.• The Maya built a civilization on the Yucatan

Peninsula.• A.D. 900 – Maya had deserted their cities.• Toltec – took over Mayan cities in Northern

Mexico.

1st American Civilizations• Aztec warriors copied Toltec ways and took control

of the region’s trade. Ruled about 5 Million people.• The Moche people lived in the costal desert of

present day Peru. They dug canals to irrigate crops, and built up a large food surplus. Built many buildings and traded. Told stories through art work.

• The Inca lived in the Andes Mountains in present day Peru. It became the largest empire in the ancient Americas.

Pathway to the Americas

Civilizations in North

America

Who were the Mound Builders?

The Hohokam & Anasazi

The Mississippians

1st American Civilizations

What happened to the Maya?

The Moche & Inca

Mesoamerican Civilizations

Civilizations in North America• North of Mesoamerica Native Americans

learned to farm from the Mesoamericans. Farming began in the Southwest part of the current USA.

• The Hohokam were the 1st Native American to try farming.

• The Anasazi lived in present day New Mexico. They lived in houses .

Civilizations in North America• East of the Mississippi River 2 groups

formed the mound building culture. The Adena & Hopewell.

• The Mississippians emerged after the Hopewell disappeared.

• Cahokia – large city in Mississippian culture.• The Mississippian civilization collapsed in

A.D. 1300.

Exit SlipHow did the 1st Americans

develop corn?

Pathway to the Americas

Civilizations in North

America

Who were the Mound Builders?

The Hohokam & Anasazi

The Mississippians

1st American Civilizations

What happened to the Maya?

The Moche & Inca

Mesoamerican Civilizations

Pathway to the Americas

Civilizations in North

America

Who were the Mound Builders?

The Hohokam & Anasazi

The Mississippians

1st American Civilizations

What happened to the Maya?

The Moche & Inca

Mesoamerican Civilizations