Native American Societies Before Contact

Diverse Native American societies, adapting to their environments, ranged from fishing villages and hunter-gatherers to agriculture-based communities and cities before European contact.

A complex civilization located in Central America, known for its large urban centers, elaborate political systems, and distinctive religious practices, including human sacrifice.

A civilization renowned for its architectural achievements, sophisticated calendar system, and intricate hieroglyphic writing, situated in the Yucatan Peninsula.

A powerful empire that spanned across the Andes Mountains of Peru, distinguished by its breathtaking mountain fortress, Machu Picchu, and efficient agricultural practices.

A Native American cultural group known for their advanced farming techniques, permanent settlements, and unique architectural style, inhabiting the American Southwest.

Native American peoples who often wandered across the Great Plains and Great Basin regions, relying on hunting and gathering for survival.

A group of Native Americans inhabiting the Pacific Northwest, known for their skilled fishing techniques and the construction of extraordinary cedar houses.

A Native American group residing on the Pacific coast of California, known for their hunting and gathering habits and semi-permanent settlements.

A region in North America characterized by fertile soil and thriving agriculture, allowing for more complex societies and larger populations.

A Native American people who inhabited the Northeast, living in large villages, practicing diverse farming methods, and dwelling within communal longhouses.

The transfer of crops, animals, and diseases between the Americas and Europe and Africa, resulting in significant changes in food and agriculture, introduction of new diseases, and population shifts.

The enslavement of Africans by Europeans for labor in the Americas, which dramatically altered the demographics and societies of both continents.

The economic system in which the government plays a large role in directing trade and controlling resources, often through monopolies and subsidies.

The practice of European nations using private companies, funded by investors, to explore and exploit new lands for economic gains.

The transition from a feudal system, where peasants worked land for protection, to a system where individuals own land and freely trade goods.

The Spanish practice of granting land to colonists in the Americas, which included the right to enslave the Native Americans living on that land.

A document issued by the Spanish monarchy that declared their right to claim land in the Americas and convert the indigenous population to Christianity. Resistance was punishable.

A social hierarchy that classified people in the Americas based on their ancestry and origin, impacting rights and taxes. It was imposed by the Spanish to control and tax the population.

People born in Spain and held the highest social status in the Spanish colonies.

People born in the Americas to Spanish parents. They were below Peninsulares but held more power than other groups

People of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry.

People of mixed Spanish and African ancestry.

The gradual shift in the Spanish strategy from using military force to utilizing missionaries to convert Native Americans to Christianity.

The Pueblo people's 1680 rebellion against the Spanish, marked by the killing of colonists, burning churches, and the expulsion of the Spanish for 12 years.

A key figure in the debate over Spanish Conquest during the 16th century. He argued against cruelty towards Native Americans, advocating for their rights and criticizing the Encomienda system.