North American Indian Cultures
What is a totem pole used for?
To tell family stories and important events.
Who claimed the Americas for Spain in 1492?
Christopher Columbus.
What event began in 1775 with battles in Massachusetts?
The American Revolutionary War.
What is the taiga known for producing?
Timber (wood).
What is income inequality?
Uneven distribution of income among a population.
What kind of home is an igloo?
A domed snow house used by Arctic peoples in winter.
What did the French focus on trading in New France?
Beaver fur with American Indians.
What major land deal doubled the size of the US in 1803?
The Louisiana Purchase.
What type of economy do the US and Canada share?
A mixed market economy.
What is one challenge from overusing the Colorado River?
It often dries up before reaching the sea due to overuse.
What crops did the Puebloans grow with irrigation?
Corn, beans, and squash.
What was the deadly Middle Passage part of?
The triangular trade route, transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas.
What was the result of the Civil War for enslaved people?
Slavery was abolished in the United States.
What job sector employs most people in both countries?
Service industries (healthcare, education, business services).
What environmental issue affects the Canadian Shield?
Pollution from mining of metals like copper and gold.
Name one reason the Mississippians built mounds.
For religious purposes—temples and leaders' homes sat on top.
What colony was founded for Quakers seeking religious freedom?
Pennsylvania.
What did the US gain after winning the Mexican-American War?
Nearly one-third of Mexico’s land—Southwest US territory.
Why is Canada’s workforce considered highly skilled?
High literacy rates and a large number of college graduates.
Why are First Nations protecting native lands?
To prevent environmental harm and preserve their rights.
What role did women have in the Iroquois League?
They chose clan leaders (hoyaneh) and could remove them from power.
What were two effects of European diseases on Native Americans?
Death of up to 90% of Native populations and social collapse.
What system of government was created by the US Constitution?
A republic with separation of powers between 3 branches.
How does human capital affect standard of living?
More education and training boost productivity and income.
What causes climate change, according to scientists?
Greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels trap heat.