The Americas: A Separate

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The Americas A Separate World, 40,000 B.C.A.D.
700
Chapter Overview
Time Line
Hunters and Farmers in the Americas
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SECTION
Early Mesoamerican Civilizations
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SECTION
Early Civilizations of the Andes
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SECTION
IMAGE
GRAPH
Visual Summary
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The Americas A Separate World, 40,000 B.C.A.D.
700
Human settlement of the Americas begins toward
the end of the last Ice Age. The first
civilizations emerge in Mexico and Peru. The
Olmec, Zapotec, Chavín, Nazca, and Moche cultures
strongly influence those that come after them.
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The Americas A Separate World, 40,000 B.C.A.D.
700
Time Line
1200 B.C. Olmec civilization emerges.
10,000 B.C. Last Ice Age ends land bridge to
Asia disappears.
500 B.C. Zapotecs build Monte Albán.
A.D. 100 Moche culture emerges.
A.D. 700
10,000 B.C.
7000 B.C. Agriculture begins in central Mexico.
900 B.C. Chavín culture arises in Peru.
200 B.C. Nazca civilization arises in southern
Peru.
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Hunters and Farmers in the Americas
Key Idea
More than 10,000 years ago, humans migrate from
Asia to the Americas across a land bridge.
Originally hunters and gatherers, these groups
develop farming methods and create settlements.
Overview
Assessment
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Hunters and Farmers in the Americas
Overview
Beringia Ice Age maize
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Although isolated, the first Americans developed
in ways similar to the other earliest humans.
The Americas first inhabitants developed the
basis for American civilizations to come.
Assessment
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Hunters and Farmers in the Americas
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. The events listed below had important
effects on the development of the Americas.
Identify the main effects for each event.
Beringia land bridge forms.
Animals and hunters cross into North America.
Hunters turn to smaller prey and plants.
Large animals become extinct.
Early Americans experiment with farming.
Agriculture arises.
Crops provide a reliable food supply.
Population grows, and settled communities arise.
continued . . .
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Hunters and Farmers in the Americas
1
Section
Assessment
2. Why do you think early Americans, isolated
from the rest of the world, developed in ways
similar to other early humans? THINK ABOUT
similarities among all human beings
availability of similar resources
the development from hunting to farming
ANSWER
Early humans used easily available food sources
first. These included wild animals that could be
hunted. When hunters could no longer rely on big
game, they developed other more complex ways of
getting food, such as farming.
Possible Response
continued . . .
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Hunters and Farmers in the Americas
1
Section
Assessment
3. What type of person might hold power in a
hunter-gatherer society? in a settled,
agricultural society? THINK ABOUT
qualities needed to succeed in a hunting society
qualities most admired in a settled, farming
society
ANSWER
Authority in a hunting society might be based on
physical strength and courage authority in a
settled society might be based on strong
administrative skills.
Possible Response
End of Section 1
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Early Mesoamerican Civilizations
Key Idea
The first civilization in the Americas, the
Olmec, emerges in southeastern Mexico around 1200
B.C., followed by the Zapotec of the Oaxaca
Valley. Both cultures influence later
civilizations.
Overview
Assessment
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Early Mesoamerican Civilizations
Overview
Mesoamerica Olmec Zapotec Monte Albán
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The Olmec created the Americas first
civilization, which in turn influenced later
civilizations in the region.
Later American civilizations relied on the
technology and achievements of earlier cultures
to move forward.
Assessment
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Early Mesoamerican Civilizations
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Compare the Olmec and Zapotec cultures.
Both
Major urban center, hieroglyphic language,
calendar
Ritual ball games magnificent sculptures, jaguar
worship
Pyramids, giant plazas
continued . . .
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Early Mesoamerican Civilizations
2
Section
Assessment
2. Why do you think the Olmec are called
Mesoamericas mother culture? Consider the
Olmecs influence on later groups in the region.
THINK ABOUT
architecture
religion
art
ANSWER
The Olmec developed numerous institutions and
styles that many later peoples of the region
incorporated. These included Olmec sculpture and
architecture styles, as well as the notion of
ceremonial centers, ritual ball games, and an
elite ruling class.
Possible Response
End of Section 2
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Early Civilizations of the Andes
IMAGE
GRAPH
Key Idea
Andean civilization arises in the river valleys
along the Peruvian coast. Around 900 B.C. the
Chavín culture emerges in the mountains, followed
by the coastal Nazca and Moche civilizations.
Overview
Assessment
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Early Civilizations of the Andes
IMAGE
GRAPH
Overview
Chavín Nazca Moche
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Around the harsh terrain of the Andes Mountains
in South America, various groups created
flourishing civilizations.
Like the early Andean civilizations, people today
must adapt to their environment in order to
survive.
Assessment
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Early Civilizations of the Andes
IMAGE
GRAPH
3
Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Identify important details about the
earliest Andean civilizations.
important religious centers influential art
styles and religious images
c. 900 B.C. to 200 B.C.
northern and central Peruvian highlands
irrigation system, textiles, pottery, Nazca lines
c. 200 B.C. to A.D.600
Perus southern coast
irrigation systems, great wealth, elaborate
pottery
northern coast of Peru
c. A.D. 100 to A.D. 700
continued . . .
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Early Civilizations of the Andes
IMAGE
GRAPH
3
Section
Assessment
2. Would the Chavín culture have been more
influential if it had arisen along the Peruvian
coast? Why or why not? THINK ABOUT
the harsh environment of the Andes Mountain
region
the effect of environment on the spread of
culture
the nature of Chavín influence
ANSWER
Yes. It might have been easier for the Chavín to
spread their culture along the more hospitable
coastal region. No. The fact that people made
the difficult pilgrimage to the site indicates
the cultures influence did not depend on
location.
Possible Responses
continued . . .
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Early Civilizations of the Andes
IMAGE
GRAPH
3
Section
Assessment
3. Describe how the Nazca and the Moche adapted
to their environment in order to build
flourishing societies.
ANSWER
To overcome their dry climate, the Nazca and
Moche developed elaborate irrigation systems.
This allowed them to farm the land.
Possible Response
End of Section 3