HIST 2055 Chapter : North American Indians
Document Summary
History begins with written documents (thousands of years ago) We think people walked to asia across a land bridge that no longer exist. 50 million native americans when columbus came to america. Diversity of indians: 12 different languages, at least 200 tribes, 3 main indian civilizations, pueblo civilization, advanced, complex lives - hierarchy, peaceful, when columbus got here, they were in decline b/c of climate problems, woodlawn civilization. Iroquois: mississippians mound builders southeast, mississippi civilization (mound builders, complex ritual lives, agricultural, civilized structure. Similarities: towns (communities, settlements, agriculture (farming, trade (1st way they both communicated with one another, violence. Relative balance initially: both sides had advantages, europeans had a written language, technology, and guns, natives had a knowledge of how to survive in america. Reasons for shift in balance of power: disease. Diplomacy: both practice this intensely (leaders meet with leaders to communicate, they signed treaties when they first met.
