Chapter 16 Section 1
The First Americans
Pages 572-581 Questions 1-6
1. Why was Mesoamerica’ geography
ideal for farming?
• It had rich, volcanic soil; a mild climate; and
rain fall in the spring and the fall.
2. How did the first Americans develop
corn?
• They crossed corn with other grasses to get
bigger cobs and more cobs per plant.
3. Draw a chart and add details about
the early peoples of North America.
Native Americans
Southwest
Planted gardens grew corn cotton beans lived in huge apartment type buildings
carved into cliffs
East/ Mississippi River Valley
Hunters and Gatherers - Mound-building
culture
4. How and When did the 1st people come
to the Americas, and how did they live
once they were here?
• They came across
the Bering Strait
Land Bridge from
Asia 15,000-40,000
years ago.
• They lived as
Hunters and
Gatherers.
How did geography shape the
development of the Anasazi civilization?
• They lived in Hot, Dry areas; Anasazi
collected rain that ran off cliffs; lived in
homes carved into cliffs.