1.1 The Americas - U.S. History | OpenStax

Overview

• Explores major American civilizations before Spanish arrival
• Discusses cultural achievements, lifestyle, religious practices, and customs

Migration to the Americas

• Origin theories: Native American origin stories vs. Beringia land bridge hypothesis
• Migration across Beringia in search of food, leading to settlement in North and South America
• Development of agriculture around 10,000 years ago, leading to settled communities

Major Civilizations

The Olmec

• Lived along Gulf Coast of Mexico (1200-400 BCE)
• Known for art, architecture, giant head sculptures, and pyramid in La Venta
• Contributions: irrigation systems, trade networks, and religious structures
• Influenced later civilizations like Maya and Aztec

The Maya

• Flourished from 2000 BCE to 900 CE in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala
• Known for architectural, mathematical, and astronomical advancements
• Developed a calendar and written language; established city-states
• Declined due to environmental challenges

The Aztec

• Emerged around 1325 CE; capital was Tenochtitlán (present-day Mexico City)
• Known for complex social structures, advanced infrastructure, and human sacrifices
• Encounter with Spanish explorers led by Hernán Cortés in 1519

The Inca

• Prevalent in South America at its height during the 15th and 16th centuries
• Noted for road systems, administrative abilities, and lack of a written language
• Used quipu for record-keeping and communication
• Practiced agriculture on terraced land; worshipped sun god Inti

North American Native Cultures

Pueblo Cultures

• Included Mogollon, Hohokam, and Anasazi
• Known for irrigation, distinctive pottery, and cliff dwellings
• Declined due to drought around 1300 CE

Hopewell Culture

• Located in Ohio River Valley, known for trade networks and burial mounds
• Practiced hunting, fishing, and agriculture

Cahokia

• Largest indigenous city in North America, located near modern St. Louis
• Featured earth mounds and served as a political and trading hub
• Population peaked around 1100 CE

Eastern Woodland Tribes

• Diverse, small communities with common traits and gender roles
• Matriarchal societies with shared responsibilities
• Conflicted with European settlers due to different land ownership views

Key Points

• Native American societies were diverse and highly adapted to their environments
• European arrival led to significant cultural clashes and transformations
• The Americas were home to complex civilizations with intricate social, political, and religious structures.