Understanding Societal Terms

Important Terms to Know

• Economic: A system related to how a society produces and distributes goods and services.
• Cultural: Refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, and traditions of a group of people.
• Political: The system of governing a society, including laws, institutions, and leaders.
• Social: The interactions and relationships among people in a society.
• Cause: The reason or explanation for an event or action occurring.
• Consequence: The result or effect of an event or action.
• Way of Life: The customs and traditions of a particular group of people.
• Physiographic region: A region identified based on its physical geography, like landforms, ecosystems, or climate.
• Dwelling: A place where people live.
• Linguistic group: Groups of people who speak the same or similar languages.
• Subsistence Activity: Activities designed to maintain a basic existence, such as hunting, gathering, or farming.
• Demographic: Related to the statistical study of populations.

Bering Strait Theory

• 30,000 BCE: First occupants crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America.
• 15,000 BCE: Ice melt formed a corridor, allowing access to the North American interior.
• 12,000 BCE: People settled in Quebec.

Algonquian Way of Life

• Way of life: Nomadic, constantly moving to follow game; hunted, fished, and gathered for survival.
• Social: Patriarchal society, men/fathers in control.
• Dwellings: Wigwams.
• Political: Decision-making led by a band chief, whose power based on qualities like hunting and courage.

Iroquois Way of Life

• Way of life: Sedentary, staying in one place; practiced agriculture (corn, beans, squash).
• Social: Matriarchal society, women/mothers in control.
• Dwellings: Longhouses surrounded by palisades.
• Political: Decision-making by a village council of men appointed by clan mothers.

Inuit Way of Life

• Way of life: Nomadic, moving to hunt seals, walruses, beluga whales, and caribou.
• Social: Patriarchal society, men/fathers in control.
• Dwellings: Igloos in winter, tents in summer; used parkas and dog sleds.

Roles of Men and Women

• Iroquoian men: Hunted, fished, built longhouses, and defended the community.
• Iroquoian women: Practiced agriculture, gathered food, took care of children.
• Algonquian men: Fished, hunted, traded, and made tools like canoes and snowshoes.
• Algonquian women: Gathered food, did domestic tasks, made clothes and prepared animal hides.

Passing of Knowledge

• First occupants had no written system.
• Elders recounted myths and history to ensure cultural continuity.

Alliances and Rivalries

• Alliances: Partnerships between groups for mutual benefit.
• Rivalries: Conflicts and competition between groups.

European Exploration Reasons

• 1453: The Turks blocked traditional trade routes to Asia, prompting Europeans to seek new routes.
• Europeans explored the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Colonization efforts led to the establishment of trading relationships with first nations.

Cod Fisheries

• 1497: John Cabot discovered valuable cod fishing grounds off Newfoundland.
• Cod fishing and whaling were vital economic activities.

Voyages of Jacques Cartier

• Goals: Establish a colony, find a western route to Asia, discover precious metals (gold).
• Explored the St. Lawrence River, encountered indigenous groups, and made claims for France.
• Cartier's voyages resulted in the start of a French presence in New France.

Economy Policy - Mercantilism

• Mercantilism: Colonies exist to provide raw materials to the mother country (France).
• Colonies' raw materials then turned into manufactured goods, sold for profit.

The Seigneurial System

• A system for dividing land in New France.
• Land was organized in long narrow strips perpendicular to the St. Lawrence River.
• Land provided food for people and the system supported population growth.

The Fur Trade

• Fur trade was a primary goal for colonization in early New France.
• French traded European goods (tools, metal goods, etc.) for fur from Indigenous peoples.
• Fur was then brought back to Europe to be turned into commodities like hats, clothes, and other items.

Review Questions (Chapter 1)

• Physiographic Regions: Determine how environment influenced first nations.
• Maliseet and Mi'kmaq Movement: Understand reasons for regular relocation.
• Iroquois Lifestyle & Subsistence: Connect sedentary lifestyle to agriculture.
• Leadership and Decision-Making: How did chiefs' leadership influence decision-making.
• Knowledge and Culture Transmission: How Indigenous cultures preserved their knowledge.
• Communication Roles: Significance of communication methods for indigenous communities.

Review Questions (Chapter 2)

• Mercantilism and Colonial Economies: Explain colony's role in the mercantilism system.
• Mandated Colonizers Responsibility: Identify individuals responsible for colonial development,
• French Alliance Motives: Reasons for French alliances.
• Company of One Hundred Associates: Obligations, privileges and benefits.
• Colonies Social Structures: Describe early colony social organization.

Test your knowledge on important terms related to economics, culture, politics, and social interactions within societies. This quiz covers essential concepts that define how communities function and interact with their environment. Perfect for students studying social sciences or cultural studies.