America's History Sixth Edition Chapter 1-4 Notes
9/6/10 5:33 PM Worlds Collide: Europe, Africa, and America (1450- 1620) The native people of the western hemisphere were introduced to Europeans and Africans through the voyages made by Christopher Columbus. The Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, and Dutch invaders quickly dominated the Native American people. I. Native American Societies - Natives were living in simple agricultural and hunter-gatherer communities A. The First Americans 1. First inhabitants were migrants from Asia 2. Societies were hunter-gatherer until large species died out 3. Farming began around 3000 BC 4. Agricultural surplus allows for urban society B. The Mayas and the Aztecs 1. Mayan civilization was built around city Tikal, in the Gulf of Mexico