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Early Cultures in North America
American Indian culture developed over many centuries.
First American Indians originated from Asia.
Agriculture changed some nomadic culture to farming communities.
Mesoamerica is a region that is now Mexico, Central America, and the western coast of South America
North American Indians were skilled in many areas.
The Hopewell people were skilled farmers and flourished in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys (200 BC to AD 400).
Mississippian culture developed in AD 800 and built large religious mound structures.
The Anasazi culture (AD 800-1300) developed in the Southwest, and were skilled builders and sophisticated farmers.
Pueblo Indians inhabited the Southwest after the Anasazi, built extensive adobe cities.
Early Cultures in Mesoamerica
Olmecs (1200-400 BC)
Mayas (AD 250-900)
Aztecs (AD 1325-1521)
Incas (AD 1200-1533)
The Olmecs
South-central Mexico
Developed one of the first civilizations of Mesoamerica.
Developed an agricultural community.
Developed the first calendar in America.
Noted artwork in many media (jade, clay, basalt, and greenstone) and monumental sculpture (colossal heads)
The Mayas
Yucatan peninsula
Only known written language of pre-Colombian Americas.
Achieved a complex civilization.
Mayan cities were trade and religious centers.
Excelled in many fields including mathematics, science, astronomy, and engineering (pyramid building).
Mathematical and astronomical systems.
Monumental architecture (Tikal, Palenque)
The Aztecs
Central Mexico
Conquered much of central Mexico.
The Toltecs preceded the Aztecs.
Built a great city (Tenochtitlan) and ruled an empire.
Rich mythological and religious traditions.
Architecturally accomplished (city planning, Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, temples and palaces).
Artistically advanced
Religion and war dominated the Aztec life.
The Incas
Northwest coastal and inland region of South America (Peru).
Controlled vast empire in South America.
Tiahuanaco culture developed in the Andes Mountains
The Incas unified an extensive empire.
Developed a sophisticated record-keeping system.
Highly-skilled craftsmen
Engineering/architecture (Machu Picchu, stone construction without mortar, extensive road system linking empire together).
Art (gold and silver, ceramics, textiles)
Impact of Spanish Exploration and Conquest on Indigenous People of the Americas
Disease devastated native populations.
Aztecs conquered by Cortes in 1521.
Inca Empire conquered by Pizarro in 1533.
Mass transfer of wealth (gold and silver) from Americas to Spain.
End of political and economic independence.
Organized for labor within the Spanish economic system.
Loss of native culture
Conversion to Christianity
Disease that Devastated the Native Populations
Smallpox, measles, typhus
Mexico and spread into American southwest and southward toward the Andes.
From 1521 to 1620, 20 million died
Conquest aided by weakening of native forces
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