Chapter 1 Section 1

The Earliest AmericansThe Earliest Americans

Focus Question:Focus Question:

How did Early Civilizations develop in the Americas?

The Land Bridge Theory Other Theories

How did Early Civilizations develop in the Americas?

The Land Bridge Theory Other Theories

The Land Bridge TheoryThe Land Bridge Theory Between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago, much

of the world was covered by glaciers. A glacier is a thick sheet of ice. As more of the world’s water froze, the level of

the oceans dropped. Areas that were covered with shallow water

became dry land. One of these areas stretched between Siberia

and Alaska. It became a bridge of land many miles wide. The area now lies under a narrow waterway

called the Bering Strait.

Between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago, much of the world was covered by glaciers.

A glacier is a thick sheet of ice. As more of the world’s water froze, the level of

the oceans dropped. Areas that were covered with shallow water

became dry land. One of these areas stretched between Siberia

and Alaska. It became a bridge of land many miles wide. The area now lies under a narrow waterway

called the Bering Strait.

Other TheoriesOther Theories

Not everyone agrees with the land- bridge theory.

Some scientists think that people may first have crossed the arctic waters by boat and traveled south along the Pacific coast.

This idea is known as the coastal-route theory.

Not everyone agrees with the land- bridge theory.

Some scientists think that people may first have crossed the arctic waters by boat and traveled south along the Pacific coast.

This idea is known as the coastal-route theory.

Learning to FarmLearning to Farm

For centuries, early humans could fill their most of their needs by hunting.

Over time, large animals began to disappear.

Deprived of their food, hunters had to find a new source of food and change their way of life.

Hunters became gatherers, traveling from place to place in search of plants and small game.

For centuries, early humans could fill their most of their needs by hunting.

Over time, large animals began to disappear.

Deprived of their food, hunters had to find a new source of food and change their way of life.

Hunters became gatherers, traveling from place to place in search of plants and small game.

Gatherers Become Farmers

Gatherers Become Farmers

About 8000 years ago, gatherers in Mexico, began growing food plants such as squash and lima beans.

The discovering of farming transformed peoples’ lives.

Families did not have to wander in search of food.

In dry areas, farmers developed a system of irrigation.

Irrigation is a way to channel water from a river or stream to water crops.

About 8000 years ago, gatherers in Mexico, began growing food plants such as squash and lima beans.

The discovering of farming transformed peoples’ lives.

Families did not have to wander in search of food.

In dry areas, farmers developed a system of irrigation.

Irrigation is a way to channel water from a river or stream to water crops.

Farming continued…Farming continued…

Farmers also learned to raise animals such as cattle, pigs,and llamas.

Once Native Americans had more food, or a surplus (extra) of food, they could trade with each other.

Some farming communities grew into cities.

The cities became centers of government and religious life.

Farmers also learned to raise animals such as cattle, pigs,and llamas.

Once Native Americans had more food, or a surplus (extra) of food, they could trade with each other.

Some farming communities grew into cities.

The cities became centers of government and religious life.

Three CivilizationsThree Civilizations

Mayas Aztecs Incas

Mayas Aztecs Incas

MayasMayas

Between A.D. 250 and A.D. 900, the Mayas built cities in what is now Mexico and Central America.

Their cities included large public plazas with pyramids, temples, ball courts, and palaces.

Between A.D. 250 and A.D. 900, the Mayas built cities in what is now Mexico and Central America.

Their cities included large public plazas with pyramids, temples, ball courts, and palaces.

Mayan AccomplishmentsMayan Accomplishments

The Mayas developed arts, a system of government and a written language.

Using the stars and from their study of the heavens, created the most accurate calendar known until modern times.

Disease or overpopulation may have caused their decline, but Mayan language still forms the root of more than 20 languages of Central America.

The Mayas developed arts, a system of government and a written language.

Using the stars and from their study of the heavens, created the most accurate calendar known until modern times.

Disease or overpopulation may have caused their decline, but Mayan language still forms the root of more than 20 languages of Central America.

AztecsAztecs

As the Mayan civilization declined, a new one was on the rise.

The Aztecs built a great capital city, Tenochtitlan, on the site of present-day Mexico City.

It was built on a series of islands in a large lake.

The city was connected to the mainland by stone roadways.

As the Mayan civilization declined, a new one was on the rise.

The Aztecs built a great capital city, Tenochtitlan, on the site of present-day Mexico City.

It was built on a series of islands in a large lake.

The city was connected to the mainland by stone roadways.

Aztec AccomplishmentsAztec Accomplishments

Farmers raised crops on floating platforms. More than 200,000 people lived or resided

in Tenochtitlan at its height, making it perhaps the largest city in the world at that time.

The center of the city was a sacred place with dozens of temples that honored the Aztec gods.

Aztecs depended on the good will of the gods in everyday life.

Farmers raised crops on floating platforms. More than 200,000 people lived or resided

in Tenochtitlan at its height, making it perhaps the largest city in the world at that time.

The center of the city was a sacred place with dozens of temples that honored the Aztec gods.

Aztecs depended on the good will of the gods in everyday life.

Human SacrificeHuman Sacrifice

The Aztecs believed in human sacrifice. The Aztecs were effective but harsh rulers. Conquered tribes were forced to send

treasure, food, and prisoners to the Aztec capital.

The Aztecs also forced the people they conquered to pay high taxes.

Resentful subjects would eventually turn on the Aztecs when the empire was weak.

The Aztecs believed in human sacrifice. The Aztecs were effective but harsh rulers. Conquered tribes were forced to send

treasure, food, and prisoners to the Aztec capital.

The Aztecs also forced the people they conquered to pay high taxes.

Resentful subjects would eventually turn on the Aztecs when the empire was weak.

IncasIncas In the 1400, the largest empire was in

South America. This huge empire stretched down the

coast of South America along the Andes, across the Atacama desert, and reached the Amazon Rain Forest.

At the center of the empire was the Inca capital, Cuzco.

Cuzco was connected to other cities by a great network of roads.

It was called the finest road to be seen in the world.

In the 1400, the largest empire was in South America.

This huge empire stretched down the coast of South America along the Andes, across the Atacama desert, and reached the Amazon Rain Forest.

At the center of the empire was the Inca capital, Cuzco.

Cuzco was connected to other cities by a great network of roads.

It was called the finest road to be seen in the world.

Incas Accomplishments Incas Accomplishments The Incas constructed buildings of huge

stones carefully shaped to fit together. Their engineers built walls to hold soil

in their fields, canals to carry water, and bridges over deep canyons.

The Incas produced fine weavings and metalwork.

Inca rulers wore gold and silver jewelry, and their palaces contained plates of gold.

The Incas constructed buildings of huge stones carefully shaped to fit together.

Their engineers built walls to hold soil in their fields, canals to carry water, and bridges over deep canyons.

The Incas produced fine weavings and metalwork.

Inca rulers wore gold and silver jewelry, and their palaces contained plates of gold.