First Americans
During what period did the first Americans arrive?
The last Ice Age.
What three important crops did early farmers grow?
Corn, beans, and squash.
What is a civilization?
An organized and advanced society.
What is a culture?
The entire way of life of a people.
What did the Inuit use to make warm clothing?
Animal skins and fur.
What connected Siberia to Alaska?
A land bridge.
How did farming change where people lived?
People could create permanent settlements instead of constantly moving for food.
Which civilization lived in present-day Mexico and created enormous stone heads?
The Olmec.
What is a culture region?
An area where people share similar ways of life.
What important food source did people in the Northwest Coast region rely on?
Fish.
Why did many early people move from place to place?
They moved in search of food.
What is a surplus?
Extra food.
What did the Maya study that helped them develop a calendar?
The sun, moon, and stars.
What is diffusion?
The spread of ideas from one culture to another.
What did the Sioux use buffalo for besides food?
They used buffalo for shelter, tools, and weapons.
What happened to the land bridge when the Ice Age ended?
It disappeared as glaciers melted and sea levels rose.
Why did food surpluses help populations grow?
More available food allowed more people to live in communities.
What was one important achievement of Maya mathematics?
They used the concept of zero.
Which group built irrigation systems in the hot, dry Southwest?
The Hohokam.
What were the three important crops grown by the Iroquois?
Corn, beans, and squash.
How did people adapt when many large animals died out?
They hunted smaller animals and ate fish, nuts, berries, and grains.
How did farming help civilizations develop?
Farming allowed communities to become larger and more complex.
What was a Maya city-state?
A city and the surrounding land it controlled.
Why did Great Plains groups often move from place to place?
They followed buffalo herds.
What was a potlatch, and why did families hold one?
A potlatch was a large ceremonial gathering where families gave food and gifts to show their wealth and status.