Bering Strait Theory Overview

Important Terms to Know

• Economic: Economic systems and activities
• Cultural: Cultural practices and beliefs
• Political: Political structures and leadership
• Social: Social structures and interactions
• Cause: Factors that lead to an event or effect
• Consequence: Effects or results of an event or action
• Way of Life: Traditional lifestyle practices of a group
• Physiographic region: Geographical region based on landform
• Dwelling: Housing structures
• Linguistic group: Groups classified by language
• Subsistence Activity: Activities for survival or self-sufficiency
• Demographic: Population characteristics

Bering Strait Theory

• First occupants crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia to North America around 30,000 B.C.
• Melting ice in 15,000 B.C. created a corridor, allowing access to the North American continent.
• Settlers migrated and developed into different groups by 12,000 B.C., eventually reaching Quebec.

Algonquian Way of Life

• Way of Life: Nomadic hunter-gatherers, moving to follow game
• Social: Patriarchal society, men/fathers in control
• Dwellings: Wigwams
• Political: Band chief's power based on hunting and leadership skills

Iroquois Way of Life

• Way of Life: Sedentary farmers (agriculture) in the fertile St. Lawrence Lowlands
• Social: Matriarchal (women/mothers in control) society
• Dwellings: Longhouses surrounded by palisades
• Political: Village council of men appointed by clan mothers

Inuit Way of Life

• Way of Life: Nomadic, hunting seals, walrus, whales, and caribou, moving seasonally
• Social: Patriarchal society, men/fathers in control
• Dwellings: Igloos in winter, tents in summer, using parkas and dogsleds
• Physiographic Region: Arctic regions of Northern Quebec and Canada

Roles of Men and Women (Iroquois and Algonquian)

• Iroquois Men: Hunted, fished, built longhouses, traded and defended community
• Iroquois Women: Practiced agriculture, gathered food for the family
• Algonquian Men: Fished, hunted, crafted canoes, snowshoes, and wigwams
• Algonquian Women: Domestic tasks, cooked, prepared items, cared for children

Passing of Knowledge

• Elders shared myths, legends, and history to preserve culture for future generations

Alliances and Rivalries

• Alliances: Partnerships between groups
• Rivalries: Conflicts between groups.

European Exploration in 15th and 16th Centuries

• Turks blocked traditional Asian trade routes in 1453
• Europeans sought new routes to Asia, leading to the discovery of North America
• France established New France and claimed land, involving fur trade relationships with Indigenous peoples

Cod Fisheries off Newfoundland

• John Cabot discovered major fishing grounds (the Great Fishing Banks) in 1497
• Cod fishing and whaling became an important economic activity for Europe

Voyages of Jacques Cartier

• Goals: Colonial empire, westward route to Asia, precious metals, convert Indigenous people to Christianity
• Voyages: Explored the St. Lawrence River, established settlements, although not fully successful.

Economy Policy - Mercantilism

• Colony existed to provide raw materials (fur) to the mother country (France)
• France manufactured goods and sold them to colonies and other countries for profit

Religious Role of the Catholic Church

• Education, healthcare
• Evangelization

Consequences of Fur Trade

• Negative impact on Indigenous populations (disease, loss of territory, disruption of culture)
• European population growth and expansion

Seigneurial System

• Land division system in New France intended to spread settlement
• Land divided into long narrow strips perpendicular to rivers, facilitating easy communication and providing access to water.

Fur Trade

• Indigenous peoples hunted for fur and traded with French
• French processed fur into finished products (hats, coats) to sell in Europe.