Chapter 1: The Native
Americans
Vocabulary





1. migrate: to move from on place and establish
a home in a new place
2. environment: all of the physical surroundings
in a place including land, water, animals, plants,
and climate
3. natural resources: useful materials found in
nature including water, vegetation, animals, and
minerals
4. culture: a people’s way of life including
beliefs, custioms, food, dwellings, and clothing
5. cultural region: an area in which a group of
people share a similar culture and language
Section Notes
Section 1.2: Migration
Routes of the First
Americans
1. Siberia to Alaska to the mainland North
America by a landbridge between Siberia
and Alaska
2. hunter-gatherers followed the migration
patterns of the wildlife
3. as main food source died off learned new
skills to survive


A. Fishing
B. new types of clothing
4. occupied land from Alaska, Canada,
throughout South America
Section 1.3: Native
Americans Adapt to the
Environment
a.
b.
c.
Adapted to the various environments
Lived off of the surrounding natural resources
Northern Climates
a.
b.
c.
d.
used goggles made from bones to avoid snow blindness
homes made of driftwood and animal skins
igloos in the harsher climates of Alaska
Southern/moderate climates
a.
b.
c.
gathered plants
raised crops such as squash, peppers, beans, and corn
agricultural skills eventually lead to more permanent
settlements
Native American Cultural
Regions
a. based on and developed around
climate and other factors
b. 10 cultural regions north of Mexico

NW Coast, California, Great Basin,
Plateau, SW, Great Plains, E. Woodlands,
and SE
Section 1. 4: First
American’s View of Their
Environment
 viewed themselves as integral part of the
community
 believe in a Great Spirit who unified everything in
the universe
 all parts of nature have a spirit
 no belief in private property
 fought to protect what they believed was their
homeland
 adapted nature to suit their lifestyles but rarely if
ever harmed the environment
 very little waste; attempted to make use of
everything they used/killed
Section 1.5: Native
Americans of the NW
Coast








Southern Oregon to Canada
plentiful food supplies
depended heavily on the seas for food
animal skins/meat from deer, moose, bear, elk,
beaver, and mountain goats
specialized weapons to catch different types of
animals
salmon harvest using fencing in the Spring
homes made of wood from the forest
developed various crafts such as basket making,
jewelry from shells
Section 1.6: Native
Americans of California




Southern Oregon to Baja California
Western Sierra Nevada Mountains
more than 100 different groups lived in this region
Food Supply:




Salmon and Shellfish
deer, rabbits, and ducks
roots, berries, and nuts
Clothing, houses and Baskets:




clothing from animal skins
simple houses made from forest wood
tools from antlers, bones, rocks
excellent weavers
Section 1.7: Native
Americans of the Great
Basin




East of California, Sierra Nevada Mountains to the
Rocky Mountains
extreme weather condition hot to cold
nomadic tribes followed the migration patterns of
animals for food and water sources
Food Supplies



Snakes, jackrabbits, and duck eggs
various plants
berries, roots, seeds, and pine nuts
Section 1.8: Native
Americans of the
Plateau

North of the Great Basin, Cascade Mountains to the West,
Rocky Mountains to the east
dense forest, grassy and sagebrush
long harsh winters and mild summers
Settlements along major rivers
food was enough to support year-round living in some areas
many homes built partly underground to combat cold and heat
plateau groups were excellent weavers
Fall: deer and antelope
Camas and Salmon











food supply during the Spring
wild onions and carrots
favored the Camas root: starchy root eaten raw or made into flour
Section 1.9: Native
Americans of the
Southwest





Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Texan, Oklahoma, and
California
canyons, mountains, desert, mesas
two major rivers: Colorado, Rio Grande
very hot and arid region
Mesa People




nomadic desert hunters
hunter-gatherers/farmers near the rivers
adobe brick homes
Corn Culture




grew corn, beans, and squash
corn most important crop
planted near flood zones, large streambeds, and at the foot of the
Mesas with water runoff
ate stew made from corn, rabbit and chili peppers
Section 1.10: Native
Americans of the Great
Plains



Grasslands from Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River
Canada to the Gulf of Mexico
Buffalo Hunters



Eastern Plains: farmers and some buffalo hunting
Western Plains: migrated with the buffalo herds
Using the Buffalo







main food source for Plains people
used every part of the buffalo
hides: shields, clothing, tents (teepees), containers
hair: used for bow strings
horns/hooves: spoons, bowls, glue
dung used for fire fuels
became more efficient when the Spanish brought horses to the
region
Section 1.11: Native
Americans of the Eastern
Woodlands

Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean
Canada to North Carolina
Iroquois tribes lived in New York area








Plentiful Woods Iroquois lifestyle:
hunting
wood
fresh greens, nuts, berries
syrup from maple trees
fishing
log homes with several families living together