His 115 - North American Civilization

North American Civilization Paper

HIS 115

North American Cultures

The first people to inhabit America were nomadic hunters from Siberia. The nomadic hunters from Siberia crossed over the Bering strait during the glacial period. The Bering strait froze over during the glacial period making a path of ice to cross from Siberia into Alaska. During this time Siberia was covered in ice and the hunters were trying to escape the ice by migrating into Alaska which at this time was a grassy plain. Over the span of 25,000 years the nomadic hunters settled throughout North America and moved into Central and South America making settlements there as well. These nomadic hunters are the descendents of the Native Americans.

The lives of the nomadic hunters were not easy. They depended on the land and resources around them to survive. Typically they traveled in groups or tribes and were spread across the Americas. The men dominated most of the tribes. Women had more influence in the tribes that relied more on agriculture. The men of the tribes traveled in order to hunt, fish and gather food and other resources for their tribes. Some of the tribes would come together in the winter so that the men could go out on groups hunts in hopes of being more successful in bringing back food and resources. The women typically worked the fields, cooked and cared for the young children of the tribe. The nomadic hunters found most everything they needed to survive from the land and animals. When they killed an animal they used every part of it possible, from the meat for food, hides for clothing and shelter and bones for utensils and weapons.

In the late 1500's Europeans made their first sustained contact with North and South America. Spain took the lead in colonizing the America's and the lives of the nomadic jhunters began a drastic change.

Gutierrez Map

The Gutierrez map was created to show the migration of people during this period in history.

The Native Americans on the Gutierrez map are shown as men starting fires, holding bow and arrows and wearing head dresses. They are shown in different parts of South America.

The maps indication of where the native Americans lived could have helped to strengthen European claims of sovereignty because by using the map the Europeans could see where they might run into the Native Americans. They could be more prepared for the struggles they may face by trying to take over and control the land where the Native Americans were already settled.

The Spanish and French coats of arms found in the upper left hand corner represent that this area was controlled by these two European nations. They also represent the fact that at this time the two nations were working together