Woodland Indians Social Studies PDF

**Why don't we know much about the people who lived during prehistoric times?** We only know a little about prehistoric people because they lived at a time before history was written down. 2. **Describe the land, climate, and animals during the Paleo-Indian period.** Land: because of the col...

**Why don't we know much about the people who lived during prehistoric times?** We only know a little about prehistoric people because they lived at a time before history was written down. 2. **Describe the land, climate, and animals during the Paleo-Indian period.** Land: because of the cold climate, the landscape was open grasslands providing many large herbivores to graze. Climate: cold with large ice sheets called glaciers. Animals: large animal herds which caused the Paleo-Indian hunter-gatherers to migrate. Large predators were around like the woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers. 3. **What tool helped the Paleo-Indians hunt more efficiently?** The atatl helped Paleo-Indians hunt more efficiently. A handheld tool used to throw a spear or dart with great speed (velocity) and accuracy. 4. **What happened to the glaciers as the climate in North America changed?** As the temperature got warmer, the glaciers began to melt, and the water formed new rivers and lakes. 5. **How did the Woodland Indians govern themselves?** Most tribes had a ruler called a chief who was head of the tribe. The chief would lead the discussion. The chief would use authority based on respect and the ability to guide people. Not abuse power. They also had councils which are groups of people that discuss important issues. 6. **What do allies agree to do for each other?** They agreed to protect each other from enemies and work together. 7. **What two types of councils did most tribes have?** The two types of councils that most tribes had were a peace council and a war council. 8. **What were women's roles in Woodland tribes?** In Woodland tribes, women had some rights and power. They often helped make decisions. In some tribes, the women would appoint or remove men who served on the councils. 9. **How did Woodland people get the items they needed or wanted?** They bartered for what they wanted or used wampums like money. Wampums are made from the shell of a clam; because of the effort that is needed to make a bead from the clam, the wampum is highly valued. 10. **Why did Woodland Indians build their villages near a river or stream?** Rivers or streams gave people water to drink, to bathe in, and to catch fish in. They also could use the water to travel and water their crops. 11. **What did Woodland Indians do during hunting season to be closer to the animals?** They moved into temporary homes in the forests. 12. **What types of homes did the Woodland Indians live in?** The Woodland Indians lived in wigwams or longhouses, which they called witchotts. Wigwams made from tree and bark with a rounded roof that protected from all weather conditions, 10-16 feet in width, the fire used to heat the home and for cooking, the top had a hole for smoke to escape, 1-2 families; Longhouse made from trees ( long poles and bark) like an apartment which was 300ft long and held up to 30 families. 13. **Why were rivers important to the Woodland Indians?** See \# 10 above 14. **What are the straight, young trees called that are used to make a wigwam?** The straight, young trees used to make wigwams are called saplings. 15. **What did the Indians use to cover the frame of their wigwams?** They covered the frame with bark and mats made of grass and reeds. 16. **What were two ways the Woodland Indians cleared forests?** They would set trees on fire and girdle trees to clear forests so they could plant crops. 17. **What role did the women and children have when it came to food?** They gathered wild berries and nuts. They prepared and cooked food on stoneware; during harvest season food was dried and saved for the winter, it would be stored underground which was cooler. 18. **What important job did children have when it came to crops?** They watched over and protected the crops. They acted as living scarecrows. The children also planted seeds and harvested crops. 19. **Why did Woodland Indians girdle trees?** They girdled trees to clear the land for planting crops. 20. **What are the seasons of the Woodland Indians?** The seasons of the Woodland Indians are Budding: The first signs of new plant growth in spring, signifying the start of the growing season Earring of the corn: When corn plants begin to produce their tassels (male flowers), indicating the peak of summer. Highest sun: The summer solstice, the day with the longest daylight hours. Gathering of the corn: Harvest time, when the corn is ripe and ready to be collected. Cohonk: The sound of migrating geese, signifying the arrival of winter.