The Migration to America

1
The Migration to America

• Who, When, Why??

2
Asian Migration

• Scientists believe that people from Asia crossed
  over a land bridge connecting _________
  __________.
• This land bridge is known as Beringia.
• Why would people fight extreme weather to cross
  into a land of uncertainty???
• They were nomads (people who continually moved
  from place to place).
• They wanted food (they lived by hunting large
  animals).
• The draw of uncertainty (ex a door that is
  barely open).

3
Early Civilizations of Mesoamerica

• Native Americans are thought to be descendants of
  these Asian nomads.
• One major development would distinguish Native
  Americans though
• The Agricultural Revolution the time period in
  which early Americans learned to plant and raise
  crops.
• Crops such as maize
• Along with other crops such
• as pumpkins, peppers, squash,
• and beans.
•   

4
What is a civilization?

• A highly organized society that is characterized
  by.
• Trade
• Government
• The Arts
• Science
• Usually a written language
• Are we a part of a civilization??? What would be
  the facts a history textbook would say about us
  as a state? A country? A world?

5
Mesoamerican Civilizations

• Olmec - first civilization in America.
• Mayan developed complex calendars based on the
  stars and often went to war.
• Toltec master architects.
• Aztec built Tenochtitlan in 1325 (present day
  Mexico City) and built a great empire by
  conquering other enemies.
• Why did so many civilizations rise up during this
  time?
• Agriculture Permanent Villages Emergence of
  Civilizations

6
North American Cultures

• Agriculture first spread to the American
  Southwest and then up the Mississippi River.
• Hohokam built a civilization in what is now
  Arizona and created an elaborate system of
  irrigation canals.
• Anasazi civilization at present day four
  corners (which states??) and the first multi
  storied buildings called pueblos.

7
North American Cultures

• Adena built huge mounds across the Ohio River
  Valley.
• Mississippians great builders whose culture
  covered much of the central plains and Midwest.

8
The Big Idea

• Migration to America came from many directions
  including from Asia in the northwest.
• Civilizations are defined by 5 major
  characteristics..what are they?
• The importance of the Agricultural Revolution.
• All of the civilizations in Meso and North
  America made great contributions to the future.