Native American Cultures (1491-1607) - (APUSH Period 1 / APUSH Chapter 1)

Summary

This US history lecture explores Native American cultures from 1491 to 1607, highlighting their diversity and adaptation to various environments. It covers five distinct cultural groups: the Arctic, Plains, Northeast and Great Lakes, Southwest, and Southeast, each with unique lifestyles shaped by their surroundings. The Plains Indians' bison hunts, the Northeast's 'three sisters' agriculture, Iroquois longhouses, and the Mississippian culture's mounds are featured. The lecture emphasizes the complexity and richness of pre-contact Native American life.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lecture discusses Native American cultures from 1491 to 1607, focusing on the period before and shortly after European contact.
• 🌏 There were several distinct Native American populations in what is now the United States, each with a unique lifestyle shaped by their environment.
• 🏔 In the Arctic regions, tribes like the Eskimos and Inuits relied heavily on hunting, gathering, and fishing due to the inhospitable climate for agriculture.
• 🐃 Plains Indians were characterized by their bison hunts and a migratory lifestyle, which was influenced by the introduction of horses post-European contact.
• 🌾 Northeastern tribes practiced a mix of hunting, gathering, and slash-and-burn agriculture, with a focus on the 'three sisters' crops: corn, squash, and beans.
• 🏡 The Iroquois Confederation is highlighted as an example of intertribal cooperation and peace, with tribes maintaining their identity while forming a lasting alliance.
• 🏘 The Southwestern tribes are noted for their settled lifestyle in clay houses and cliff dwellings, with agriculture primarily based on maize.
• 🏰 Southeastern tribes, particularly the Mississippian culture, built large settlements with mounds, indicating a more complex and stationary society.
• 👥 Gender roles in Native American societies were clearly defined, with men typically hunting and women farming and gathering, differing from European norms.
• 🛋️ Iroquois longhouses were communal living spaces for large family groups, symbolizing the unity and cooperation within the Iroquois Confederation.
• 🌱 The 'three sisters' agricultural method was a sustainable practice where corn, squash, and beans were planted together, supporting each other's growth.

Q & A

What is the time period covered in the lecture about Native American cultures?

The lecture covers Native American cultures from 1491 to 1607, focusing on the period before and shortly after the European contact.

How many distinct ethnic groups are mentioned in the Americas according to the lecture?

The lecture mentions that there were 156 distinct ethnic groups in the Americas, with about 50 in the continental United States.

What is the significance of the year 1607 in the context of this lecture?

The year 1607 is significant as it marks the establishment of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown.

What are the five American Indian culture groups discussed in the lecture?

The five American Indian culture groups discussed are the Arctic, Plains, Northeast and Great Lakes, Southwest, and Southeast.

What is the primary subsistence of the Arctic Indians mentioned in the script?

The Arctic Indians primarily subsisted on hunting, gathering, and fishing, with a diet that was 75 percent fat due to the harsh climate.

How did the Plains Indians' lifestyle change after the introduction of horses by Europeans?

The Plains Indians became more migratory, following the herds of bison and hunting them on horseback, which was a significant change from their pre-contact lifestyle.

What agricultural practice is associated with the Northeast and Great Lakes region?

The Northeast and Great Lakes region practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, which involved rotating cultivation in different areas after the soil became exhausted.

What crops were commonly planted together by Native Americans in the Northeast and are known as 'the three sisters'?

The three sisters are corn, squash, and beans, which were planted together and replenished each other in the soil.

What is unique about the Iroquois longhouses and their significance to the Iroquois Confederation?

Iroquois longhouses were multifamily dwellings that symbolized the unity of the Iroquois Confederation, where multiple tribes maintained their identity but formed a peaceful alliance.

How did the lifestyle of the Southwest Native Americans differ from the Plains Indians?

The Southwest Native Americans were more settled, living in clay houses and cliff dwellings, and practiced maize agriculture, unlike the Plains Indians who were migratory and dependent on bison hunting.

What is the significance of the Mississippian culture and its settlements, such as Cahokia, in the Southeast?

The Mississippian culture is significant for its large, stable communities and the construction of Indian mounds, indicating a complex society capable of large-scale construction and potentially supporting thousands of people.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Native American Cultures Pre-Contact

This paragraph introduces the topic of Native American cultures from 1491 to 1607, focusing on the period before and shortly after European contact. It emphasizes the diversity of Native American tribes and their adaptation to their environments, highlighting that there were about 10 major cultural groups in North America, each with distinct lifestyles shaped by their geographical settings. The paragraph also mentions the importance of recognizing the variety within these groups, rather than assuming a single 'prototype' Native American culture.

05:01

🎯 Plains and Arctic Indian Lifestyles

The second paragraph delves into the lifestyles of the Plains and Arctic Indians. Plains Indians were characterized by their migratory Bison hunts, which became possible after the introduction of horses by Europeans. The paragraph describes their nomadic lifestyle and the importance of the Bison for their sustenance and materials. In contrast, Arctic Indians, such as Eskimos and Inuits, relied heavily on hunting, gathering, and fishing due to the inhospitable climate for agriculture. The paragraph also touches on the dietary differences and the high-fat diet of the Arctic Indians, which was necessary for survival in their cold environment.

10:01

🌾 Agriculture and Settlements in the Northeast and Southwest

This paragraph discusses the agricultural practices and types of settlements found in the Northeast and Southwest regions. In the Northeast, the focus was on slash-and-burn agriculture, with the 'three sisters' crops of corn, squash, and beans being central to their farming. The Iroquois Confederacy is highlighted as a unique political and social structure that promoted peace among member tribes. In the Southwest, the paragraph describes the more settled lifestyle with clay houses and cliff dwellings, adapted to the region's corn-based agriculture. The defensive advantages of these types of dwellings are also noted.

🏟️ The Mississippian Culture and Cahokia

The final paragraph examines the Mississippian culture in the Southeast, particularly the large settlement at Cahokia. It describes the construction of Indian mounds, which were人工土丘, indicating a settled and planned community. The paragraph provides a glimpse into the possible layout of Cahokia, including markets, houses, and city walls, suggesting a complex and sizable society. It also contrasts the common perception of Native Americans as nomadic with the reality of large, stable communities in the Southeast, similar to the great empires of the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca.

Keywords

💡Native American cultures

Native American cultures refer to the diverse ethnic groups that lived in the Americas prior to European contact. The video emphasizes the variety of these cultures, which spanned from 1491, before European contact, to 1607, the year of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown. This concept is central to the video's theme, illustrating the diversity and complexity of pre-Columbian societies.

💡Pre-contact

Pre-contact denotes the period before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. The script uses this term to highlight the distinct cultures and lifestyles of Native Americans that existed independently of European influence, setting the stage for understanding the historical context of Native American societies.

💡Jamestown

Jamestown is mentioned as the site of the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, established in 1607. It serves as a temporal marker in the script, indicating a significant shift in the history of Native American cultures due to the beginning of sustained European presence and influence.

💡Ethnic groups

Ethnic groups in the script refer to the distinct cultural and social communities within the Native American population. The video mentions around 150 distinct ethnic groups in the Americas, with about 50 in the continental United States, emphasizing the diversity that existed among Native American cultures.

💡Environmental adaptation

Environmental adaptation is the concept that each tribal group's lifestyle was shaped by its environment. The script explains how different Native American groups developed distinct ways of living based on the resources and conditions of their geographical regions, such as hunting and gathering in the Arctic or farming in the Southeast.

💡Arctic Indians

Arctic Indians, including Eskimos and Inuits, are highlighted in the script for their reliance on hunting, gathering, and fishing in the harsh Arctic climate. The term is used to describe a specific cultural group whose lifestyle was almost exclusively based on these activities, illustrating the diversity within Native American cultures.

💡Plains Indians

Plains Indians are characterized in the script by their migratory Bison hunts and use of horses, which were introduced post-European contact. The term represents a cultural group that adapted to the Great Plains environment and whose lifestyle was significantly shaped by the presence of bison herds.

💡Slash-and-burn agriculture

Slash-and-burn agriculture is a method of cultivation mentioned in the script, practiced by some Northeastern Native American tribes. It involves cutting and burning vegetation to clear land for planting, then moving on once the soil is depleted, demonstrating a form of agriculture adapted to the environment and resource availability.

💡Three sisters

The 'Three Sisters' refers to the trio of crops—corn, squash, and beans—crucial to many Native American agricultural practices. The script explains how these crops were often planted together, supporting each other's growth, and were a staple in the diets of various Native American groups.

💡Iroquois Confederacy

The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the League of Five Nations, is a political alliance of Iroquois tribes mentioned in the script. It represents a unique form of intertribal cooperation and governance, which is highlighted as an example of social organization among Native American groups.

💡Mississippian culture

The Mississippian culture is identified in the script as a pre-contact civilization characterized by large settlements and earthen mounds. The term is used to describe the complex societies that existed in the Southeast, with Cahokia being a notable example, showcasing the advanced social structures and urban planning of these Native American groups.

Highlights

Introduction to Native American cultures from 1491 to 1607, focusing on the time of European contact and the establishment of English settlements.

Recognition of the diversity among Native American tribes, with over 150 distinct ethnic groups in the Americas and around 50 in the continental United States.

Cultural groups are categorized by their environment, with distinct lifestyles ranging from hunting and gathering to agriculture.

Arctic Indians, such as Eskimos and Inuits, relied heavily on hunting, gathering, and fishing due to the inhospitable climate for agriculture.

The Plains Indians were characterized by their migratory Bison hunts and the adoption of horses post-European contact.

The Wichita tribe's unique agricultural practices within the Plains region, trading with nomadic tribes for a balanced diet.

Northeastern tribes practiced slash-and-burn agriculture and cultivated the 'Three Sisters' crops: corn, squash, and beans.

Iroquois longhouses as multifamily dwellings and the symbolic representation of their peaceful intertribal confederation.

Gender roles in Native American societies, with men typically hunting and women gathering and farming.

Southwestern tribes' settled lifestyle with clay houses and cliff dwellings, focusing on maize agriculture.

The unique defensive architecture of cliff dwellings and the famous Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park.

Southeastern tribes and the Mississippian culture, characterized by large, stable communities and Indian mounds.

Cahokia, the largest Mississippian settlement, which may have housed thousands and featured market structures and city walls.

Contrasting the common perception of Native Americans as nomadic with the existence of large, stable communities and empires in the south.

The importance of understanding the diversity of Native American cultures and the impact of European contact on their lifestyles.

Invitation to follow the channel for more US history content and resources, including slides, notes, and tutoring services.

Transcripts

[Music]

hey there students thanks for joining me

for the first lecture in my US history

course and in this bit we're going to

talk about Native American cultures from

1491

to 1607 these being symbolic yours 1491

symbolizing pre-contact Native Americans

and 1607 being the first permanent

English settlement at Jamestown so

really looking at Native Americans at

the time of the European contact and

shortly after before the foundation of

English permanent settlements and I have

a couple of objectives today first of

all we need to realize that there were

several different Indian populations in

the present-day United States and

secondly that each of these tribal

groups lived a lifestyle in accordance

with its environment so keep in mind

there is not just one prototype Native

American there are several different

diverse cultural groups and as you see

here we have a hundred and fifty six

distinct ethnic groups in the Americas

of which 50 or so we're in the

continental United States thank you to

Terry at knowledge quest Maps for let me

use this stuff and luckily for you you

are not going to have to learn all 50 of

these different distinct cultural groups

but you need to realize that each of

these groups fits into one of the larger

cultural groups in North America of

which there are about 10 I'm going to

take a closer look at about five and

each of these areas has a distinct sort

of culture about it based on the

environment in that area as you go up

north into modern-day Canada and Alaska

you're going to see tribes that subsist

exclusively on hunting and fishing and

gathering what they can in a climate

that's not very hospitable to

agriculture and as you go south you're

going to see a lot more farming you're

going to still see hunting

gathering and some fishing but not as

exclusive as you see up north and of

course you can see here when you go down

to the southwest and the southeast you

see a good deal more farming and we're

gonna look at five different American

Indian culture groups the Arctic the

Plains the Northeast and Great Lakes the

Southwest and the southeast and just

take a quick look at what makes each of

them unique

so the Arctic Indians we're talking

about Eskimos Inuits these people who

live in these Arctic regions of Alaska

and Canada who lived about exclusively

from hunting gathering and fishing and

you can see here an Eskimo seal hunter

seals are plentiful out there and they

are a source of meat a source of fat a

source of protein these Indians ate a

diet that was 75 percent fat now

somebody eats that kind of diet in the

south that'll kill them

which a lot of people in the South do

eat diets like that but that's not good

if you live in a warm climate like I do

but when you go up there you're burning

so many calories just to exist that that

works that you can eat a diet that would

kill somebody in a more temperate

climate so their lifestyle is a lot

different than the Indians you're gonna

see in the southeast and in the

southwest and let's go on to the plains

region now the Plains Indians are marked

by the Bison hunt they are migratory

because they follow the herds of bison

and they ride horses now keep in mind

that horses were introduced by the

Europeans before European contact there

weren't horses so this is a way that the

European contact actually defined a

lifestyle that was based on following

these buffalo herds and hunting them on

horseback you see this Indian here is

about to kill this bison with a bow and

arrow and these guys Geronimo about to

run some bison off of a cliff now in

case you're wondering yes I

you know that Geronimo was not a Plains

Indian he was the southwestern Apache

Indian but it just fit there with him

jumping off a cliff and keep in mind

these Plains Indians lived a very

nomadic lifestyle that because they

followed the Buffalo they did not tend

to live in settled communities but of

course even within the plains region

this was not always the case you had the

Wichita tribe which lived a lifestyle

more based on agriculture because these

nomads had to have a source of fiber all

right you're not gonna just eat meat all

the time you want to supplement that

with grains and vegetables and that sort

of thing and so these tribes had

subsisted on bison hunting they would go

and trade with the Wichita tribe such as

the Comanche and other people nearby

they would go to the Wichita tribe

they'd trade buffalo meat and Buffalo

skins and all of that kind of stuff and

the Wichita would trade agricultural

products

so even there you're going to see some

settled agriculture in several

communities let's go to the Northeast

where you're still going to see some

hunting gathering but you're also going

to see a lot of what we would call

slash-and-burn agriculture that is not

based on having permanent fields but

really just kind of rotating around here

and there and planning things very

simply just in the environment there and

then after a few years after the soil

becomes exhausted you move on and you

let nature replenish it and maybe you'll

go back there in another twenty years

and the planting of crops there was

based on the three sisters corn squash

and beans and I'll talk a bit about

Iroquois longhouses so these three

sisters you can see here that somebody

is experimenting with Native American

agriculture and the three sisters corn

squash and beans now I'm no scientist I

don't know all of the ins and outs here

all of the what-have-you and everything

but I do know that these crops can all

be planted really kind of on top of each

other and they each will replenish each

other so corn squash and beans and

they're not really planted in rows

they're just kind of planted

where they can be planted so these were

the primary crops that were planted by

Native Americans not only in the

Northeast but in other parts of the

country as well and you can see here the

three sisters being commemorated on the

back of a United States dollar coin now

note here that there is a woman doing

the planning which brings us briefly to

Native American gender roles and men

would typically do the hunting and women

would do the gathering and the bulk of

the farming so gender roles were defined

by Native American cultures and

Europeans were kind of taken aback is

keep in mind that Europeans had a system

of farming that was done by men and they

didn't really hunt because they had cows

and sheep livestock that sort of thing

and so there were some misunderstandings

the Europeans thought that Indian men

were lazy that they overworked their

women which this was just okay well the

Europeans had gender roles and the

Indians and gender roles and they were

just different

[Music]

[Music]

an Iroquois lived in long houses these

were multifamily dwellings where you

could fit a lot of people in here you

build a fire you can keep warm in the

winter and this long house was the

typical dwelling you didn't have

single-family dwellings among these

northeastern Indian tribes and the

Iroquois are distinct because of the

league or Confederation that they formed

once again thanks to knowledge quest

maps for providing me with this and you

can see the Iroquois you had five or six

tribes depending on whether you're

looking at it before after the last

tribe was introduced and these tribes

all maintained their tribal identity but

they made a permanent alliance with each

other and this kind of foreshadow is

what's going to happen with the states

later on and these tribes you're still a

mohawk or a Seneca or an Oneida but you

have pledged peace with each other and

they saw each other as living in a sort

of longhouse they used the longhouse as

kind of an allegory for what they were

doing that we are several families

living in a house together now why would

they form this Confederation well

because there was a great deal of

intertribal warfare they already were

fighting against their enemies the

Algonquin across the Great Lakes and

they weren't going to be able to survive

if they also kept fighting each other

and here in the middle you can see a

European so you see that Europeans are

getting involved in these inter tribal

conflicts and different tribes are going

to take sides with different groups of

Europeans moving on to the southwest

where people are a little more settled

living in clay houses and cliff

dwellings because they practice maize or

corn agriculture that's most of what

they grow and eat so they tend to live

in one place you can see this is a Hopi

apartment

complex basically this is not a large

dwelling like a long house this is a

multi-family dwelling but it's divided

into several apartments and you see that

there are some ladders there you see

that it's fortified you don't see doors

right there on the outside so lots of

people can live in a very enclosed area

and defend themselves from attacks by

outsiders very easily now once again you

see cliff dwellings which have the

advantage of also being defensible you

see where some of these can't be

accessed by somebody that's coming in

and the most famous of the cliff

dwellings would be the cliff palace in

Mesa Verde National Park very very

elaborate definitely a place I would

like to go sometime and finally let's go

to the southeast now in the southeast

we're also looking at several

communities whose lifestyles were based

on agriculture and a specific type of

culture that existed pre-contact was the

Mississippian culture and this was the

biggest Mississippian settlement was at

a place called Cahokia that's across

from st. Louis and these Mississippi and

settlements are characterized by Indian

mounds this is not a naturally occurring

Hill this is a mound that was built by

Indians and if you're going to build a

mound that's that huge you're planning

on staying there a little while they've

reconstructed what Cahokia and other

Mississippian settlements may have

looked like and as you can see there's a

market here and across the river you see

houses you see walls around the city you

see these mounds you see that these

people were there Cahokia may have

housed thousands of people in the city

and its vicinity so we also tend to

think about Native Americans as being in

small groups going from place to place

being nomadic in some cases that's true

but in other cases it's not keep in mind

there also as you go south the Aztecs

the Maya

the Inca who lived in larger communities

and in some cases built great empires so

every one of these Native American

culture groups is different so for those

of you who want a little review or those

of you just want to copy down the notes

maybe I was a little bit too fast for

you press the pause button and do that

or you can listen to me summarize it or

both so first of all we've got the

arctic Indians who are subsisting nearly

exclusively on hunting gathering and

fishing in a climate that is not suited

for agriculture then the Plains Indians

who hunt Buffalo primarily and are using

the Buffalo for go there their houses

their food really for everything

you go to the Northeast and the Great

Lakes and you still see some hunting and

gathering but also slash-and-burn

agriculture which is based on the

cultivation of the three sisters corn

squash and beans and remember the

Iroquois long houses and this sort of

allegory of the Iroquois living not only

in large family groups inside of a large

house but also living in this inter

tribal peaceful confederation then we

look at the southwest we see clay houses

and cliff dwellings and people who

practice maize agriculture and then

finally in the southeast more

agriculture more subtle communities

specifically this Mississippian culture

with its ruins at Cahokia and these

mounds that there are several of them

across the south so that's about it for

that I'm going to continue with US

history so if you want to follow me

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it helped you like dislike I hope to see

you again sometime for now I'm out until

next time

[Applause]

[Music]