Unit 1-Beginnings of
American History
Chapter 1- Roots of the American People
Mr. Bennett, 7th grade US History, 2015-2016
Essential Question- How
did different cultures and
traditions develop around
the world?
Section 1- How did early
civilizations develop in
the Americas?
 How did people arrive in the Americas?
 Different Theories
 Land-Bridge theory- thousands of years ago the strait between Siberia
and Alaska were connected by large glaciers. Hunters traveled across
this land bridge in search of food. Gradually worked their way south.
 Coastal route theory- people crossed arctic waters by boat and
traveled south along the Pacific coast.
 Many Native Americans disagree with both theories and have their own
theories regarding how they arrived on the continent.
Learning to Farm
 Once people learned to farm, they were able to stay
in one place and start a civilization.
 Farmers in Mexico used irrigation systems to
channel water from streams and rivers to their
crops.
 Eventually, a surplus of crops was created and
tribes began trading with other tribes.
***How do scientists think the first people arrived in
the Americas?***
Mayas, Aztecs, Incas
 3 largest civilizations in the early Americas.
 Civilization- an advanced culture in which people
have developed cities, science, and industries.
 Mayas (250-900 A.D.)- built cities in modern day
Mexico and Central America.
 Known for their accurate calendars, urban planning,
pyramids, government, and written language.
 Declined around 900 AD. Most likely because of
disease.
Mayas
Aztecs
 Settled in modern day Mexico after the decline of
the Mayas.
 Created the world’s largest city at the time (200,000
people), Tenochtitlan. It was built on a lake and
today is Mexico City.
 Farmers created floating gardens on the lake.
 Practiced human sacrifice to please their gods.
 Had a strong army that conquered most of Mexico.
Aztecs
Incas
 At its height in the 1400’s.
 Located in western South America, along the
Andes Mountains.
 Constructed vast network of roads leading to its
capital, Cuzco.
 Built bridges and used terrace farming to grow
crops in the mountains.
 Used gold and silver to make jewelry and plates.
Inca Empire
Essential Question- How did different cultures
and traditions develop around the world?
Section 2-Cultures of North
America
 Essential Question- How did geography affect the
development of cultures in North America?
 Around the same time of the Mayas, Aztecs, and
Incas different tribes settled in very different
geographic locations in North America.
 Mississippi Mound Builders built a city of 40,000
people in present day Illinois.
 All things had a spirit. Spirits were responsible for
acts of nature.
Ways of Life
 Broken into culture areas- regions in which groups
of people have very similar ways of life.
 Tribes located all over North America.
 Mostly hunters and gatherers until they learned to
farm.
Shared Beliefs
 Many native tribes shared a deep respect for the
natural world. They believed that all natural
things had a spirit and these spirits were a part of
their natural world.
 No written language but past on their history
through oral traditions- stories about the tribe’s
history.
Far North Native Americans
 Lived in the arctic where it was extremely cold.
 Survived on fish, shellfish, and birds.
 Hunted marine animals from kayaks.
Northwest Tribes
Far West
Southwest
Great Plains
Eastern Woodlands
Exit Slip
 Why do you think some tribes hunted and others
relied on farming for their food?
Section 3-Trade Networks
of Asian and Africa
 Essential Question: How did trade link Europe,
Africa, and Asia?