Discovery, Exploration & Conquest of the Americas

Ancient America

100

Best known for the giant stone heads unearthed by archaeologists

The Olmec Civilization

200

The most prolific pyramid builders in the Americas

Mayan Civilization

300

Name for the ancient landmass that connected Asia and North America during the last ice age

Beringia

400

The largest pyramid in the Americas is located at this monumental and mysterious archaeological site

Teotihuacan, Pyramid of the Sun

500

Mainstream theory of how humans first entered the Americas over land

Ice Free Corridor

Pre-Columbian Cultures

100

This powerful empire constructed their magnificent capital city in the middle of Lake Texcoco

The Aztecs/Mexica

200

Largely a prehistoric culture, they are known best for the giant earthen mounds they left behind

The Mississippians

300

This Empire occupied territory high in the Andes mountains

The Inca

400

This culture, prominent in the Caribbean islands at the time, was the first encountered by Christopher Columbus and his crew

The Arawaks/Taino

500

This Confederacy of Native Americans in the Virginia area was led by Pocahantas' father

Powhatan Confederacy

Spanish Conquest

100

This man ordered the siege of Tenochtitlan

Hernan Cortes

200

Sapa Inca executed even after his ransom was paid

Atahualpa

300

Where did Francisco Pizarro first hear about the Inca Empire?

Pacific Coast of Panama

400

What was Juan Ponce de Leon looking for when he became the first European to reach La Florida?

The Fountain of Youth

500

Hernando de Soto died at the end of his long expedition in the southeastern United States after crossing the Mississippi River and stalling out in this modern US State

Arkansas

French Exploration

100

This modern country was the site of early French exploration in the New World

Canada

200

First French explorer to reach the New World

Jacques Cartier

300

The Three F's of French Exploration in America

Forts, Furs and Friendly with the natives

400

Two major Native American language groups present in the area that the French began their settlements in the New World

Algonquin and Iroquoian 

500

River upon which the modern cities of Quebec and Montreal are located

St. Lawrence River

Wild Card

100

I built a house with all four walls facing south.  A bear walked past the house.  What color was the bear?

White

200

Who was the youngest person to ever be elected President of the United States?

John F. Kennedy

300

What was the first permanent British settlement in the New World

Jamestown, Virginia

400

What causes the seasons on Earth?

Tilt of the Earth in relation to the Sun as we travel around it during in our annual orbit

500

What is the tallest mountain in the United States?

Denali (Mt. McKinley)