Chapter 1 Section 1 The Earliest Americans Focus Question: How did early civilizations develop in the Americas? The First Americans There are various theories to how humans made their way to America The Land Bridge Theory Between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago much of the world as we know it was covered with glaciers, thus causing the sea level to drop and shallow areas became dry land. One area was between what is now Siberia and Alaska, creating a bridge, which scientists believed to have been crossed/used by humans to cross into America, only 20,000 to 30,000 years ago. Other Theories Not all agree with the land bridge theory Some believed that people crossed in boats and traveled southward along the Pacific coast of America. Many natives do not agree with either of these theories and each tribe has its own traditions and creation stories. Learning to Farm For centuries people survived in hunter and gatherers communities Following animals herds and gathering plant life around them As herds started to decrease and the human population increase hunting and gathering was no longer sustainable. Some 8,000 years ago in what is now known as Mexico, some gatherers began to plant crops. This discovery changed the way of life for many For drier regions, the technique of irrigation was developed, which allowed farmers to water crops by channeling water from stream and rivers. Farmers also learned how to raise livestock such as cattle, pigs and llamas. With a steady flow of food, the population was able to increase with more people came farmers and more food was being produced, leading to a surplus or extra food, which they traded with other groups. These small communities grew and some grew into cities Cities became centers for government and religious life Three Civilizations What is a civilization? Civilization is an advance culture in which people have developed cities, science and industries. Throughout history, many civilizations rose and crumbled. The three largest civilizations that grew in the Americas, include the Mayas, Aztecs and Incas Mayas A.D. 250 A.D. 900 Mexico and Central America Cities contained public baths temples ball courts palaces
Developments A system of government A written language Calendar, developed from studying the stars History carved stories of their past and gods onto the buildings Last Legacy over 20 languages are based on the Mayan language Aztecs Grew after the fall of the Mayan civilization A.D. 900 1520 s Mexico and Central America Capital city Tenochtitlan An island in the middle of a large lake in present day Mexico City At its height more than 200,000 people resided in the city, making it possibly the largest city in the world at the time. The capital was also the center of religious life, which was very significant There were many temples in honor of the gods Like many ancient civilizations the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice to please the gods During the 1400 s Aztec armies controlled much of modern day Mexico They were effective and harsh rulers, demanding treasure, food and prisoners to the capital (taxes) eventually some that were conquered by the Aztecs would become their allies Incas Largest empire in the world during the 1400 s covered most of the southern half of South America Center of the EMpire was the city of Cuzco was connected to other large cities by a vast network of roads Buildings, canals and bridges were engineered with great detail Incas were known for their fine weavings and metalwork Incan rulers wore gold and silver jewelry Chapter 1 Section 2 Cultures of North America
Focus Question: How did geography influence the development of cultures in North America? I. The First Cultures in North America A. Groups of people developed their own way of life or culture. B. Mound Builders, various groups of people that live from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River Valley. 1. They would build up mounds of earth, that were burial places or as foundations of public buildings. 2. One group of mound builders, the Mississippians, built the first city on North America, Cahokia. a) where as many as 40,000 lived b) now in present day Illinois C. The Anasazi, located primarily in what know as Utah, Colorado, northern Arizona and New Mexico. 1. Lived in cave dwellings, to protect themselves from enemy groups 2. Their largest community was made up of 1000 people 3. They were known for their baskets, pottery, and jewelry. D. Hohokam (300 B.C. A.D. 1450) located in modern day Arizona 1. dug irrigation canals to bring water to their crops 2. they traded jewelry made of seashells to those who lived on the Gulf of California II. Ways of Life A. Native Americans are divided into several cultural areas, regions in which groups of people have a similar way of life. 1. They share basic traits B. Meeting Basic Needs 1. In many areas women would collect roots, seeds, nuts, acorns and berries and men would hunt and fish 2. In some areas, farming allowed groups to grow and store food a) In these areas the populations would be larger than those of non farming areas b) people would grow crops that were suited for where they lived and would use farming tools and techniques to help grow more crops. 3. Most groups of Native Americans traded with one another a) using shells and beads as a form of currency b) Important trade items included, shells, flint, copper, and salt C. Shared Beliefs ture. a) Different Native American groups would hold different ceremonies and religious traditions based on the spirit they believe to be a part of their world. (1) (a) Native American groups were close with nature and believe that spirits dwelled with them in nature Indians of the Southeast Many would hold the Green Corn Ceremony at the end of the growing season (2) The Pueblo would carve kachina dolls to help teach the young about the Kachina spirits. b) Native American groups have a strong oral tradition of passing on stories of their past to the next generation. III. Native Americans of North America (Table) Chapter 1 Section 3 Trade Networks of Asia and Africa
Focus Question: How did trade link Europe, Africa and Asia? I. The Muslims Link in Trade A. Trade linked groups of people together and it is one one way that cultures spread. B. Trade route became complex and much of the trade passed through the Middle East 1. Ships from India and China would make port in the Red Sea and the cargo was then carried over land to other markets C. the Rise of Islam 1. As trade route increase also did the belief in Islam, founded by Muhammad in the 600 s. a) Muslims believe Muhammad to be the most important prophet of God. 2. Millions of people across three continents became Muslims. D. Advances in Learning 1. Arab scholar made contributions to mathematics, medicine and astronomy. a) They developed algebra, which was passed onto Europeans b) They measured the Earth and confirmed the greek idea that the earth was a sphere. c) Also designed ships with large triangular sails that allowed sailors to use the wind. II. The African Link in Trade A. Africa has a long history of trade, beginning with the Egyptians. B. East African Trade Centers 1. 1000 A.D. trades centers began to form in eastern Africa, the most powerful of which was Zimbabwe. a) Zimbabwe laid between the eastern coast and interior of Africa. 2. Kilwa became an important trading center on the eastern coast, which attracted traders from as far away as China. a) They also traded with the interior of Africa. C. West African Trade Centers 1. Trade networks also linked the Middle East and West Africa, with caravans. 2. Ghana became one the major trading centers in West Africa, because of its location near salt fields and gold mines to the south of it. a) the demand for gold and salt increased over time the rulers of Ghana became wealthy 3. In the 1200 s Ghana had weakened and was absorbed by the kingdom of Mali. 4. Mansa Musa was the ruler of Mali at its height. 5. Timbuktu became the trade and educational center of Mali, which was captured in 1433 by nomads. 6. Timbuktu was replaced with Songhai in 1468, which became an Islamic learning center. a) Items such as salt, gold and captives went through Songhai on their way to Middle Eastern markets III. The East Asian Link in Trade A. China was unified as early as 221 B.C. and had established trade links with India, Korea, Japan, the Middle East and Africa. 1. The Largest trade city as Hangzhou B. World Traders 1. China made advances in navigation, with the invention of the magnetic compass. 2. By the 1300 s the Chinese were travelling from to East Africa a) One Chinese explorer Zheng He, were traveling with fleets of 300 ships, trading silk and pottery for spices, gems medicinal herbs and ivory
C. Spice Trade and the Silk Road 1. The Silk Road was one the greatest trade routes of ancient times, stretching 5,000 miles from Xi an to Persia 2. Chinese silks, bronze goods, pottery and spices were traded for cloves, nutmeg, and peppercorns. 3. Trading along the Silk Road declined with alternative sea routes were discovered. Chapter 1 Section 4 The European Heritage Focus Question: What major influences shaped European Civilization? I. The Judeo Christian Traditions A. European beliefs and values are shaped by two ancient religions, Judaism and Christianity
II. III. B. Judaism 1. Judaism emerged as the first world religion to teach monotheism, around 1700 B.C. 2. According to the Hebrew Bible, Moses taught the values God wanted them to fulfill, these teachings are commonly known as the Ten Commandments. 3. Unlike other earlier religions, Judaism held the idea that no ruler was above God. C. Christianity 1. About 2,000 years ago Jesus of Nazareth began to teach and gain a following. 2. The Gospels, depict the life of Jesus, including his teaching. 3. Christianity is based on the belief that Jesus was indeed the messiah, sent by God to save the world. a) Jesus also taught that all have an equal chance for salvation, which appealed to many and helped to spread Christianity to more people. 4. At first, Christians were persecuted for their beliefs in the Roman Empire, but some the Empire adopted Christianity as its official religion. Greek and Roman Traditions A. Greek and Roman traditions shaped European political traditions. B. Athenian Democracy 1. In the 5th century B.C. Athen experienced and explosion of learning and creativity, its greatest achievement was the birth of democracy. 2. Athenians practiced direct democracy, where all adult male citizens could participate in the political system. 3. Athenian schools trained boys in the areas of history, grammar, poetry, music and public speaking in an effort to train a well rounded and educated citizen. C. Roman Government and Law 1. In 509 B.C. Romans created a republic, in which the elected senate and assembly created laws. 2. Under Rome s code of laws all were equal and all who were accused of a crime were innocent until proven guilty. 3. Eventually the Roman republic collapsed, in 27 B.C. when Octavian declared himself emperor. New Horizons A. The Roman Empire fell to invaders in A.D. 476 and the next 1000 years became known as the Middle Ages B. The Middle Ages 1. By the 9th century the system of feudalism arose in Europe. 2. The Catholic Church became a powerful entity and a center for learning. a) Many of those that were not a part of the clergy or noble class were unable to read and write. C. The Crusades 1. In 1095, Pope Urban II declared a crusade or holy war to regain the Holy Land. 2. There were 9 crusades over the next 200 years, failing in the end. 3. The Crusades had long term effects of Europe including, a) more contact with Muslim civilizations and their advance technology b) and overseas trading D. The Renaissance 1. Beginning in the 1300 s a rebirth of learning came about. 2. European scholars discover classic Roman and Greek texts.
IV. 3. Science and inventions also flourished, including the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg. a) as a result more books became available 4. Important nation states emerged including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and England, shifting the important trade routes. E. The Reformation 1. In 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, to promote reform in the Roman Catholic Church. 2. Those who followed Luther are known as Protestants, and the movement he began is known as the Protestant Reformation. 3. This causes a long series of wars between the Catholics and Protestants. An Age of Exploration Begins A. A new era of exploration was set up by the Renaissance, the rise of nations and the expansion of trade. B. The leader of this new era was Prince Henry the Navigator, who hoped to expand Portuguese power and also the spread of Christianity. 1. Henry set up a learning centers in Sagres, bring in mathematicians, geographers and sea captains to teach his men about navigation and mapmaking. a) His men learned how to use magnetic compasses and astrolabes. C. By 1498, Vasco da Gama passed the southern tip of Africa and continued onto India, which became an important trade route to the West Indies.