Hist 201: Outline 1 Native Americans

The Bering Strait holds historical significance as the route through which early inhabitants migrated from Asia to the Americas during the ice age, leading to the settlement of the American continents.

Paleo-Indians were the early inhabitants of the Americas who migrated from Asia and survived by hunting, gathering, and fishing due to a lack of agriculture in their lifestyle.

The term 'Nomadic' refers to people or groups of people who move around frequently in search of food, water, and resources. They do not stay in one place permanently, unlike those who are settled in a fixed location or living in a city.

Hunter-gatherers relied on hunting and foraging for food and resources, as opposed to pastoralists who focused on raising livestock, mariners who were primarily involved in sea-based activities, and nomads who moved from place to place with no permanent settlement.

Meso-America specifically refers to the region in middle America, encompassing parts of Mexico and Central America.

Polytheistic refers to the practice of worshiping multiple gods, which differs from monotheistic beliefs in one god, atheistic beliefs in no gods, and antitheistic rejection of all gods.

The Olmecs were a civilization known for being the first city builders with multiple cities along the Gulf of Mexico, practicing a polytheistic religion which included animal/human sacrifice, and constructing temples and pyramids using dirt.

La Venta was not originally established as the capital of the Olmecs in 900 BCE, but rather they moved there and it became their new capital. The incorrect answers provided offer alternative scenarios to mislead test takers.

Teotihuacan was a significant urban center that flourished after the fall of the Olmec civilization, incorporating various aspects of a complex society such as urban planning, agriculture, religion, and commerce.

The Mayans were actually a highly advanced civilization with numerous cities, complex social structure, and advanced architectural and agricultural practices. They were primarily located in Mexico and the highlands of Central America, were polytheistic in religion, and had a large urban population. They were known for their irrigation systems, urban planning, and religious practices including human sacrifices.

The Aztecs were an advanced civilization with a powerful army, agriculture, and a system of conquering tribes for tributes.

Moctezuma II was the last Aztec ruler during the Spanish conquest in 1519. He had a larger army than Hernan Cortez, the Spanish conquistador leading the invasion.

The Incans were a true empire located in South America with an emperor, central temple, and large population. They were conquered by the Spanish, led by Pizarro.

The Pueblo people lived in towns, villages, and river valleys around 1000 BC, not in beach resorts, mountain peaks, or deserts as suggested by the incorrect answers.

The correct answer highlights the key characteristics and location of the Mogollon civilization in Northern Mexico, distinguishing it from other civilizations in different regions.

The Hohokam people were known for their agricultural settlements in river valleys in Southern Arizona, living around the same time as the Mogollons.

Chaco Canyon is well-known for its ancient Anasazi ruins and structures built at the base of the canyon. It is not a natural rock formation, man-made dam, or a modern resort.

The Eastern Woodlands region in North America included all areas east of the Mississippi River and was characterized by fertile soil, abundant wildlife, and good rainfall, making it suitable for growing crops.

Poverty Point refers to the archaeological site in Louisiana with 6 semi-circular mounds, which were not agricultural settlements but sites for religious structures built by hunter-gatherer Native Americans.

The Adena culture refers to a pre-Columbian Native American culture that existed in the northern Ohio River Valley. They were known for building mounds for burial purposes and honoring their ancestors with elaborate burial rituals. The decline of the Adena culture is associated with various factors such as environmental changes and shifts in social organization.

The Hopewell culture, centered in the Eastern Woodlands of North America, was known for its extensive mound building for burial and ceremonial purposes, as well as its agricultural settlements along the Mississippi River. The Hopewell people were not known for advanced metalworking, a nomadic lifestyle, or seafaring abilities.

The Mississippian civilization existed along the Mississippi River between 800 CE and 1500 CE and was characterized by a hierarchical society with ruling class and royal families. They practiced a polytheistic religion and were known for having the true city of Cahokia.

Cahokia was a true city in the Mississippian Culture, with around 10,000 residents. It is known for being the largest early city in present-day U.S. and for having about 100 mounds used for various purposes. The city was located near an offshoot of the Mississippi River, and its central mound, Monks Mound, suffered erosion over time due to farming activities on top of it.

Hierarchical societies had strict class divisions, with a ruling class at the top and slaves at the bottom, while egalitarian societies viewed individuals as equals with some exceptions. The incorrect options do not directly relate to the contrast between hierarchical and egalitarian social structures.

This question tests the understanding of different kinship systems. Matrilineal societies pass power and property through the female line, while patrilineal societies focus on descent through the male line. The incorrect answers provide examples of other hypothetical systems to illustrate the contrast.

The Muskogean Language Group in the Southeast had specific characteristics including being almost all matrilineal, having 2 kings for military and civil government, and being hierarchical society, which differentiates them from the incorrect answers provided.

The Algonquin Language Group in North America exhibited specific characteristics such as a patrilineal society, reliance on fishing and gaming, presence of multiple tribes like Fox, Miami, Illinois, and Moheekan, and having chiefs/rulers who were mostly equal in their authority.