How The Environment Impacted The Political Structure Of One Pre Columbian Society

Read excerpt # 3 The Anasazi: Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde and excerpt # 4 The Mississippians: Cahokia and Moundville (pp.29-33) by following the link Pre-Columbian America (Learner.org). Type responses to the following questions on Google Doc and save.

2. How might the Huron view of nature have shaped the European impression of the Native Americans?

During the circa 1450-1750 C.E., the occurrence of Christopher Columbus’s adventure to the Americas has established the significance of social construction and cultural assimilation. It has also brought forth the Columbian Exchange, which resulted in massive deaths of the Native population, but notably provided an increased nutrition during this period. The variation of floras and faunas homogenized society through the exchange which unified the planet biologically singular. This completely remade the population of humans and increased productions of goods so revolutionary.

Recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site, Cahokia Mounds is located in the current day city of Collinsville, Illinois. Near the Mississippi River, this pre-history site is made of mounds scattered around an area of about Three and a half square miles of land. The park may be large, but the actual city of Cahokia in pre-history spread much further than what the park is recognized as today. Cahokia is recognized by historians as part of the Mississippian culture which groups them with other native civilizations that lived along the Mississippi River who shared architectural styles (like the mounds fount in Cahokia) as well as other attributes like maize based economics and tools

Throughout time, there are many instances of early civilizations accomplishing breathtaking feats that we find awe worthy even today. These cultures helped shape humanity as a whole, and paved the way for people everywhere. Of these early cultures, one of the most remarkable was undoubtedly the Mayans. The Mayans lived in Mesoamerica, around Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. They were an isolated group of people that thrived on farming and raised crops such as Maize, Beans, and Chili Peppers. They also Fished often and hunted Deer and other woodland creatures.

Located in present day Collinsville, Illinois is Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, which was once home to the largest city north of Mexico from 700 to 1400 A.D. Settled by the Mississippian people, today their decline remains a mystery. First visited in 1811 by traveler Henry Brackenridge and considered the “discoverer of Cahokia” only in the sense that he wrote several papers and articles about the findings to the public’s attention. After walking around the mounds, Brackenridge described that the locations of the last inhabitants were clearly visible to him, as were fragments of their tools and utensils. Many extensive archeological excavations and several case study theories have come about through the years as to why this magnificent ancient metropolis faced such demise.

The Cahokia Indians were settled near modern-day St. Louis, Missouri close to the Mississippi River. Some archaeologist believe that the Cahokia once had 20,000 Natives and over 100 mounds in their village. The reason they believe in these outstanding growth in people was the land around them. Situated with land with great

Mexico and Peru’s economic foundation was based of Commercial agriculture during colonial rule, as well as silver and Gold mining. This greatly shaped the kinds of societies that came to arise due to a very distinct social order in society. The social order accommodated the Indians, Africans, and any person that was racially mixed. This social order was quite similar to that of

1) The book, 1491, by Charles C. Mann gives readers a deeper insight into the Americas before the age of Columbus, explaining the development and significance of the peoples who came before us. Moreover, Mann’s thesis is such; the civilizations and tribes that developed the Americas prior to the discovery by Europeans arrived much earlier than first presumed, were far greater in number, and were vastly more sophisticated than we had earlier believed. For instance, Mann writes, regarding the loss of Native American culture:

8. Explain four different ways in which the Indian people of Mesoamerica and North America develped.

As one can see, the earthworks of the Ohio and Mississippi valley are critical in the understanding the past. They provide great clues about the migration of the Ancient people of this land. It is still not understood how the Western World was settled and under great debate. Any clues that are available should be used and the mounds are a great source. Native

My essay will have an outlook of the history of the first Americans “Indians” and how they’ve adapted with their religion, subsistence strategy, social organization, and material culture. Over the years things have change in the history of Native Americans, prior to the reconstruction period, Native Americans knew who they were and what they lived for. Before the Europeans came and changed their living they one with nature and the land they’ve came to know. They believe that America was there’s and they lived free. In today’s history of Native Americans culture was founded in many ways, started in the mid 8200s B.C and before Christopher Columbus discovered America. Living in the Americas they were in touch with nature as well as their

6. Discuss the different social structures that characterized New England and the Chesapeake colonies during the first 100 years of their development.

Describe the major developments, changes, and the general living patterns of the Great Lake Indians during the period from 1000 BC and AD 1600. Make sure to provide at least 3 different components for each of the main timeframes outlined in the readings (Early Woodland, Middle Woodland/Hopewell, Late Woodland, Mississippian/Upper Mississippian).

(b) Give two examples of the way of life before 1492 of any one of the groups named at (a) above