History

"CULTURES OF THE NEW WORLD"

Native American Peoples

Situation prior to discovery

of New World To the Native American descendants who had settled the continents tens of thousands of years earlier, Columbus's new world was their own old world. But the first nomadic hunters who crossed from Siberia over the Bering Strait to Alaska probably did not consider themselves discoverers or recognize what they had found - a truly new world wholly uninhabited by humans.

Situation during arrival of

invaders to New World The simplest Native American societies were those that still relied on hunting and gathering. Stark deserts and frozen tundra defied cultivation and yielded food supplies that could sustain nomadic bands numbering no more then 50 people. Families occasionally joined together for a collective hunt or wintered in common quarters, but for most of the year they scattered across the landscape, the women gathering plants and seeds, making baskets, and cooking meals while the men hunted for meat and hides. Political authority lay with either the male or male family head.

Living conditions following

settlement of New World Native Americans remained nomadic hunters and gatherers for thousands of years. Native American societies were able to grow larger and develop distinctive forms of economic, social, and political organization. Their environment encouraged cooperative economic pursuits. Leading men assigned several families to specific territories that they hunted together, dividing the returns among the whole band. Religious beliefs strengthened the ties of kinship.

Notable influence on

New World culture While men dominated Indian bands based on hunting, women assumed more influence in societies that relied for part of their food on settled agriculture. The men hunted bison and cultivated corn and beans, and the women owned the fields, the crops and even the tools. The southeast fertile soil and temperate climate encouraged the cultivation of maize, rice, and a variety of fruits. By harvesting these resources and developing techniques to preserve food supplies, settlements could become larger and more complex.

European Peoples

Situation prior to discovery

of New World Prior to discovery of the New World - Europe were faced with the depopulation caused by the Plague. Then later, Europe was once again over populated and not enough land for everyone, Landlords raised the rent, peasants became poorer, food and housing scarce. Europeans were widely dispersed into small villages. Europeans made their living off the land. Europeans traded with Asia.

Situation during arrival of

invaders to New World Europeans were used to sharing close quarters with family, and livestock. With the Europeans arrival in the New World population rose swiftly, but then dropped dramatically with the Old World diseases following the Europeans to the Americas. The Europeans helped expand slavery into the New World.

Living conditions following

settlement of New World Europeans were importing hogs and cattle into the America's and began practicing what was familiar to them in Europe; mercantilism. Along with all the practices they brought to the America's, Europeans also brought a lot of diseases.

Notable influence on

New World culture The Europeans most notable influence on the New World is Christianity. Freedom of religion would also be heavily influenced by the Europeans.

Asian Peoples

Situation prior to discovery

of New World Asians were not like the Europeans, they did not suffer due to overpopulation and scarcity on food and land. They were ahead in the world in luxuries. The Asians had the capability to be the most advanced in navigating ships around the world but did not follow that route. It is believed that the first Asians to cross over to the Americas actually took place in 35,000 BCE or 10,000 years later. Asians also traded with Europe and Africa.

Situation during arrival of

invaders to New World The Chinese did not follow the