Instructions In Unit I, you became familiar (or more familiar) with some of the unique and amazing cultures of Paleo-America (a.k.a. ancient America). As we learned, researchers, including archeologis

Instructions In Unit I, you became familiar (or more familiar) with some of the unique and amazing cultures of Paleo-America (a.k.a. ancient America). As we learned, researchers, including archeologis
HIS 1301, American History I 1 Cou rse Learning Outcomes for Unit I Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 1. Identify pre -Columbian American cultures with an emphasis on distinctive tribal attributes. 1.1 Identify a tribal culture, event, or theory connected with Paleo -America. 1.2 Express a view about a historical culture, event, or theory connected with Paleo -America. Course/Unit Learning Outcomes Learning Activity 1.1, 1.2 Unit Lesson Chapter 1 (4 sections) Article: “ Why Study History? ” Video Segment: “Eva: The First American” Video Segment: “Southern Route to North America” Video Segment: “Clovis People” Video Segment: “Centuries Before Clovis People” Video Segment: “Coastal Route” Unit I Assignment Required Unit Resources In order to access the following resources, click the links below. Corbett, P. S., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannestiel, T., Waskiewicz, S., & Vickery, P. (2014). U.S. history . OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/us -history Chapter 1: The Americas, Europe, and Africa Before 1492, Sections Introduction —1.3 Stearns, P. N. (1998). Why study history? American Historical Association. https://www.historians.org/about – aha -and -membership/aha -history -and -archives/historical -archives/why -study -history -(1998) Videos The transcripts for these videos can be found by clicking the “Transcript” tab to the right of the video in the Films on Demand database. PBS (Producer). (2015). Eva: The first American (Segment 1 of 18) [Video] . In First peoples: Americas. Films on Demand. https://libraryresources.c olumbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=129844&loid=454202 PBS (Producer). (2015). Southern route to North America (Segment 4 of 18) [Video] . In First peoples: Americas. Films on Demand. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl ay lists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=129844&loid=454205 PBS (Producer). (2015). Clovis people (Segment 5 of 18) [Video] . In First peoples: Americas. Films on Demand. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=129844&loid=454206 UNIT I STUDY GUIDE Pre -Columbian Americas HIS 1301, American History I 2 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title PBS (Producer). (2015). Centuries before Clovis people (Segment 8 of 18) [Video] . In First peoples: Americas. Films on Demand. https://lib raryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=129844&loid=454209 PBS (Producer). (2015). Coastal route (Segment 9 of 18) [Video] . In First peoples: Americas. Films on Demand. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylis ts.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=129844&loid=454210 Unit Lesson Down the Rabbit Hole: Why Study History? History’s dead. It’s in the past. It doesn’t impact me, so why bother? Actually, scientists and historians continue to dive into the past and discover new evidence. For example, was the Beringia land bridge the only way that the first people migrated to the Americas? New evidence suggests no. Did a 22 -year George Washington have a hand in starti ng the French and Indian War that will give way to the American Revolutionary War? New evidence suggests yes. As individuals, are we continually learning from our past, both personally and professionally? Would understanding histories and cultures bring fo rth the opportunity for community growth and unity? Most of us have heard the saying from philosopher George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That famous adage has justifiably stood the test of time, but, in pra ctice, this only scratches the surface. History, like our contemporary society, is tremendously complex. It allows us to gain an understanding of past situations so that we may learn from the brilliancy and continue on certain pathways or have the fortitud e and knowledge to make needed changes, so we dare not allow history to repeat itself. Unfortunately, many of us remember studying history from years past. Our teachers crammed the memorization of dates as the most important objective in the course. Borin g! Rest assured that a mundane approach to history will not be our focus. While we will use the dates as our guideposts to situate events within time periods, our goal will be to immerse ourselves into the events, to understand who were the key players, wh at were they doing, where were they (what was the social, political, economic environment like), and most importantly why did the actions take place the way that they did and what impact did the events have on society? So, as you can see, we are digging pa st the surface of history and diving into the depths of history! This immersion into history through the analysis of historical events will be our focus, thus affording us the opportunity to see the brilliant connection of history in our lives. A True Co llaboration: The Study of History and Information Literacy Throughout this course, you will have an opportunity to develop or enhance your information literacy skills by using past events as the basis for communication in an academic setting, applying cul tural analysis using multiple academic methods, and honing the ability to evaluate the reliability of sources and information. The activities in this course will challenge you to embrace the settings and events of significance with a focus on discerning, a nalyzing, and learning how to interpret the world of the past using the methods of today. Information literacy is the ability to find and evaluate information to help make sound decisions in life, whether for academic, professional, or personal purposes. An individual who has information literacy skills is able to: • recognize what information and how much information is needed; • create an effective and efficient search strategy for the needed information; • analyze the retrieved information and evaluate it s sources; • enhance one’s own understanding with the selected information; • use information effectively in order to achieve a desired outcome; and HIS 1301, American History I 3 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title • use information ethically and legally, particularly with respect to recognizing intellectual property and ackno wledging one’s sources. Information literacy skills are essential to the study of history. To develop information literacy skills as you conduct history research, follow the steps listed in the process below. This process is iterative, meaning that inst ead of moving through the steps sequentially, as in a checklist, you may repeat steps of the process as necessary in order to discover the best information to support your research goals. 1. Identify the information you need. Read your assignment instructions carefully. Check to see if a specific topic or type of information is assigned. 2. Find the best sources for the needed information. When searching for articles in the library, look for databases that match your research topic. For eBooks, the CS U Library’s eBook database may also be an option. 3. Search your chosen resources for your information. Use keywords and phrases taken from your topic statement. Enclose phrases in quotation marks. 4. Evaluate your retrieved information . Review your results to i dentify and select information that comes from a suitable and credible source, supports your writing purpose, and meets all criteria for your assignment. 5. Use your information to successfully complete your assignment . Reinforce and build on your own stateme nts with your chosen research information in order to create effective writing that achieves its intended goal. Identify all information sources used with complete APA Style citations. Information literacy skills will not only help you with your history research and other academic pursuits, but they will also transfer into the workplace and support career success. The Online Library provides you with resources to help you understand information literacy and develop your skills, and librarians are ready to assist you during each step of the research process. Reach out to your librarians for assistance today or visit the Online Library tutorials ! HIS 1301, American History I 4 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Let the Journey Begin For our journey throug h American history, we will start with the earliest records and professional theories concerning Paleo -American civilization and continue through one of the most significant turning points in American culture and life — the American Civil War. So, let us beg in our journey. The First Travelers to the Americas Our textbook, in section 1.1, begins with a very brief description of the Beringia migration theory that brought the first humans to the Americas. In addition to this theory being absolutely fascinating , there is so much more to the story and its impact. Plus, within the last 2 decades, researchers have unearthed new evidence that suggests that the land bridge was not the only way in which people first migrated to the Americas. So before diving into our textbook, let us take a further look the Beringia land bridge theory and the new theory that suggests that people also migrated by boat. The migrations will introduce us to the Clovis people, believed to have been the first people to the Americas, and what archeologists and historians are identifying as the pre – Clovis people (because new evidence suggests they were here about 1,000 years before the Clovis people). Let us begin with the Beringia land bridge theory. This popular hypothesis posits that the s ubarctic region to the west of modern Alaska, known today as the Bering Straits, was once a solid mass of land, thought to be about 600 miles wide, that connected the modern continents of Asia and North America until approximately 14000 BCE. It is via this land mass, known as Beringia, that the first native tribes are thought to have migrated into the Americas, eventually spreading through the north, central, and southern regions. A point of clarification, evidence from sediment cores that included plant ma tter found in ash, suggested that they lived on the land bridge for years, perhaps generations. Consider that the Beringia land bridge was present for thousands of years. Archeologists, geologists, historians, and other scientists continue to investigate t his possibility. HIS 1301, American History I 5 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Archeologist, geologists, and historians suggest that this is what the land mass of Beringia would have looked like (above). As a result of glaciers melting 9,000 years ago the land mass became submerged by water. Beringia . (n.d.). Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin. (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/national_parks/beri_past95.jpg) This theory of Beringia emerged in 1590 and is attributed to the work of a Jesuit missionary named José de Acosta (d. 1600). While Acosta’s scientific writings were among the most celebrated of his time, he was still subject to the social and political environments of his time. As a result, his is not the exclusive hypothesis explaining the migration to this new world; however, his theory did eventually draw an audience. Explorations by the Russian Empire led by Danish explorer Vitus Bering in 1724 and 1741 and a later expedition by Englishman James Cook in 1778 ignited the interest in human migration th eories between Asia and North America. Today, the study of the Beringia Land Bridge theory continues, and as archeologists, geologist, and historians continue their research, additional theories of ancient migration, like the coastal routes, are emerging ( National Parks Service, n.d. -a). Historians agree with the assumption that what motivated the first people in the Americas was the search for food and other basic necessities. In 2008, genetic testing suggested that a population did migrate across the Be ringia Land Bridge as early as 30,000 years ago and had crossed into North America around 16,500 years ago, aligning with Acosta’s theory that the first migrants were in North America around 15000 BCE. That HIS 1301, American History I 6 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title means that the population lived on the land bridg e for about 10,000 years. Evidence also suggests that humans were living south of the Canadian ice sheet 15,000 years ago. Currently, available artifacts, including tools, weapons, vegetation, and cultural markings, help to further illustrate this migrator y movement (National Parks Service, n.d. -b). Once the travelers had migrated below the Canadian ice sheet, they began to spread out throughout North, Central, and South America, all the while continuing to live a hunter -gatherer lifestyle. One example of an early Paleo -American, or ancient American, culture is the Clovis culture, believed to have arrived in North America 13,000 years ago. Known today as Clovis points (see image below), these points are believed to be a mainstay of the Clovis culture. Clovis points from the Rummells -Maske Site, 13CD15, Cedar County, Iowa. Courtesy of the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist and Bill Whittaker (Whittaker, 2010) The points were discovered near the city of Clovis, New Mexico (hence the name Clovis) dur ing the late 1920s and gave clear evidence of human activity in North America. Recognized for its unique shape as a hunting tool and age (circa 10,000 to 9,000 BCE), the Clovis point could be considered the first American invention. Since the initial disco very in the late 1920s, more than 10,000 Clovis points have been discovered in approximately 1,500 locations across North America, reaching across the country from Florida to Washington State, up to Pennsylvania and down into Texas (Mann, 2013). Later di scoveries found at the Monte Verde archaeological site in Chile advanced the migration theory of early Americans. Research conducted by a collective team of anthropologists, botanists, and anthropologists shows evidence that supports a theory that an early migration path along the Pacific Coast more than 14,000 years ago. Nine different species of seaweed and marine algae were found in the firepits of the ancient settlements, confirming that the sites were occupied more than 1,000 years earlier than previou sly known human settlements throughout the American continents. Discovered in 1976, the Monte Verde site is a well preserved settlement that contained dozens of huts that housed 20 to 30 people along a creek. Radiocarbon dating performed in 1979 determin ed the age of bones and charcoal found at the site to be more than 14,000 years before the present. This discovery caused controversy through the social sciences community, as the leading migration theory of the time posited that human colonization in the Americas began about 13,000 years ago, when the last Ice Age had ended and the later -named Clovis people had followed large animals across Beringia in search of food and eventually spread across the Americas. In 1997, the controversy was put to rest after a group of archaeologists visited Monte Verde, reviewed the data, and unanimously affirmed the age of the artifacts (Salisbury, 2008). Today, due to the empirical evidence, both theories, the land bridge migration and the coastal migration are widely acc epted by scientists. More and more discoveries are being made, which helps us all to learn more about the first peoples of America and their amazing cultures, and perhaps even find a connection to us today. For the coastal migration theory, evidentiary sup port can prove to be a challenge. Going beyond the obvious issues of thousands of years of sedimentary change and human development, the sea levels at the time of the migration were about 200 feet lower than they are today. The early coastal developments a re now covered by the Pacific Ocean and various rivers and tributaries (Salisbury, 2008). The land bridge migration theory faces similar challenges with sedimentary change and human development, but, as of September 2021, scientists have identified fossili zed footprints that are from around 23,000 years ago. Discovered in a dry lakebed in New Mexico, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey analyzed seeds that were trapped in the footprints. These footprints are now identified as the human footprints in N orth America. This discovery HIS 1301, American History I 7 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title will continue to help social scientists offer more answers to the question of when the first people arrived at the Americas (Larson, 2021). Pre -European Colonization: Tribal Nations and Settlements With the discovery of agr iculture and the use of pottery to preserve and store excess materials and food (circa 4000 BCE), the hunter -gatherer lifestyle of the Clovis began to transition to semi -permanent settlements and population centers. This tremendous evolution in turn brough t about the advent of semi -permanent political, religious, and trade -influenced organizations of numerous families — what we now recognize as a tribe. Tribes would spread and appear throughout the Americas after 4000 BCE. Even with common ancestry, tribal cu ltures would adapt to the climate and resources available. Over time, this led to wide differences among tribes in religion, government, and social roles, specifically when looking in the North American Southwest, South, and Northeast. As complex and durab le as these tribal societies had become, shortly before 1500 AD, their world was changed by European exploration. Native American cultural maps show clearly distinguished cultural and tribal regions, some of which relied on each other for support in harsh climates, while others feuded over land and supplies (see image below). Assuming the accuracy of two of the most c ommon migration patterns, Beringia and similar boat -driven expeditions farther south, it is understandable why some of the oldest remains are found in what is now the American Southwest, the Great Plains, and along the Pacific coast in South America. Map showing the cultural regions of Native Americans (Spacenut525, 2010) In the American Northwest, what was commonly seen in the pre -colonization period was a wide array of hunter -gatherer and craftsmen -led tribes, like the Haida, Ute, Shoshone, and Nez P erce tribes. Seen within this area was a land of many metals, almost unending resources, and great offerings from the rivers, lakes, and ocean, including fish and whale oil. However, as is true with any abundance, once word of such great promise was known, the tribal nations were not alone. As colonization and statehood erupted in the American East, the American West drew wide attention from people willing to brave the wild to secure their share of the resources. HIS 1301, American History I 8 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Totem poles were often carved to honor a family’s history or an important individual within the tribal nation. (Judson, 1917) The American Southwest was the site of some of the oldest native markings and permanent settlements. In addition to the Clovis culture, tribal nations like the Pueblo, N avajo, and Hopi settled this land and boasted vibrant cultures with great reverence to the sky and sun. Compared to their northern and eastern neighbors, however, they were also wary of close neighbors because of the need for wide areas to hunt and limited natural resources. This region continues to be one of great permanence. Established in the 12th century, Acoma Pueblo is believed to be the oldest continually occupied city in what is now the United States. Identified now as a National Historic Landmark, Acoma Pueblo is located about 60 miles outside of present – day Albuquerque, New Mexico (National Parks Service, n.d. -a.). Tribes in this region were heavily influenced by the Spanish and tribal aggression and discovery, which are topics that will be revisit ed in later units. Sky City of Acoma Pueblo known as the Enchanted Mesa (Beyond My Ken, 2012) In the American Northeast, including what is now parts of Canada and the United States, there was a range of settlements, but two major cultures emerged: the Algonkian (Algonquian) and the Iroquois in the Northeast. As can be seen in the map above, the Algonquian settlements dominated much of the coastal regions that saw the first English settlements. The Iroquois lands quickly became disputed territory between the settlers looking for lands to extend and the ancient tribes working to retain their culture. Though impossible to say everything here, some common aspects of these northeastern tribes were their hunting and fishing prowess as well as their sometimes hostile reaction to outsiders, especially surrounding land claims because of their farming needs to survive in the unforgiving climate. There is clear evidence that this culture descended from the Clovis tribes, as can be seen in their weapons and tools, but these tribes were also prosperous farmers of gourds, beans, corn, and even tobacco. Because of the agriculture, these tribes were not generally nomadic, meaning that their shelter was often sturdy enough for the harsh realities of the climate and that any moves followed the need for agriculture. Finally, the American South proved to be another lush and highly prized region for its abundant natural resources and soil. The tribes of this region, like those in the Pacific Northwest, thrived on hunting and gathering, and the climate did not require as much preparation for devastating seasons. Unlike the Pacific HIS 1301, American History I 9 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Northwest, however, these offerings were quickly be coveted by European explorers. The Native Americans, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee/C reek, Chickasaw, and Seminole, faced one of the most devastating removals in American history during the early 1800s. Known as the Five Civilized Tribes, the tribal nations’ leaders of the Southern tribal nations. Sequoyah (Cherokee); Pushmataha (Choctaw); Selecta (Muscogee/Creek); a traditional Chickasaw warrior; Osceola (Seminole). Portraits drawn or painted between 1775 and 1850. (Rob, 2008) It is important to note that many of the tribal nations noted in the section Pre -European Co lonization: Tribal Nations and Settlements continued after European exploration and colonization took place and continue to this day. Many of the tribal nations probably sound very familiar to you, and some of you may have a direct ancestral lineage. It wo uld be wonderful to hear a story of your tribal nation, if you would like to share it! A Closing Note We are just getting start with Unit I. Our focus in the Unit I Study Guide was to work in concert with the information from our textbook. Since our text book authors began their real focus on what they are calling the first Americans, we wanted to take a few major leaps back and establish a foundation of how the first Americans got here and who the first Americans really were, because they were here long b efore the Olmec, and their stories are amazing! Now that you have finished reading Unit I Study Guide, it is time to head over to our textbook, OpenStax, and begin reading Chapter 1. Our complete Unit I will focus not just on Paleo -America and the pre -Eu ropean tribal nations, but what was taking place throughout Europe and Africa prior to Columbus’s fateful trip across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. What is happening throughout Europe and Africa will help us to understand some of the forthcoming actions and decisions. As we move forward, it is important to remember that with much of historical study, especially with records and accounts as timeworn as these, differences in, and even arguments concerning interpretation are not rare; in fact, they are encoura ged. The study of history is a living discipline, and for that reason, it is important to consider multiple perspectives, including your own interpretation, when reviewing for and preparing your HIS 1301, American History I 10 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title assignments. Please be willing to challenge yourself to consi der multiple views, perspectives, and points of view and to find the amazing connection of history to your world today. References Beringia [Demographic map]. (n.d.). The University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin. http://www.lib.u texas.edu/maps/national_parks/beri_past95.jpg Beyond My Ken. (2012, November 17). Acoma Pueblo Enchanted Mesa [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:25_Acoma_Pueblo_Enchanted_Mesa.jpg Judson, K. B. (1917). Myths and leg ends of British North America — Haida totem poles [Image]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Myths_and_Legends_of_British_North_America_ – _Haida_Totem_Poles.jpg Larson, C. (2021, September 23). Oldest human footprints in North American found in New Mexico . AP News. https://apnew s.com/article/lifestyle -science -travel -fossils -new -mexico – 97cb4b2ea0f499d6ea5fbfebab243413 Mann, C. C. (2013, November). The Clovis point and the discovery of America’s first culture. Smithsonian Magazine . https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the -clovis -point -and -the -discovery -of-americas – first -culture -3825828/ National Parks Service. (n.d. -a). Acoma Pueblo, Acoma, New Mexico. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/american_latino_heritage/Acoma_Pueblo.html National Parks Service. (n.d. -b). History of the Bering land bridge theory . U.S. Department of the Interior. htt ps://www.nps.gov/bela/learn/historyculture/the -bering -land -bridge -theory.htm Rob. (2008, April 29). Five –civilized –tribes –portraits [Image]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Five -Civilized -Tribes -Portraits.png Salisbury, D. F. (2008, May 8). New evidence from earliest known human settlement in the Americas supports coastal migration theory . Vanderbilt University. https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2008/05/08/new -evidence – from -earliest -known -human -settlement -in-the -americas -supports -coa stal -migration -theory -58122/ Spacenut525. (2010, July 1). Native American regions [Map]. Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NativeAmericanRegions_map_1.jpg Whittaker, B. (2010, April 9). Clovis Rummells Maske [Photograph]. Wikimed ia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clovis_Rummells_Maske.jpg Suggested Unit Resources In order to access the following resources, click the links below. The transcripts for these videos can be found by clicking the “Transcript” tab to the right of the video in the Films on Demand database. What route did our ancient ancestors use in their early migrations from Africa to the Middle East? Watch this video to learn more. PBS (Producer). (2016). Out of Africa (Segment 6 of 14) [Video] . In Great human odyssey . Films on Demand. https://librar yresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=151281&loid=511355 HIS 1301, American History I 11 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Watch the following video to learn more about how we, as Homo sapiens, are united by our past, our present, and our future. PBS (Producer). (2016). Rise of Homo sapiens (Segment 2 of 14) [Video] . In Great human odys sey. Films on Demand. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=151281&loid=511351 Discover how witnessing the strategies of communities like the Saan in Southern Africa’ s Kalahari Desert help anthropologists understand the evolution of the early hunter gathers. PBS (Producer). (2016). Strategies of early hunters (Segment 3 of 14) [Video]. In Great human odyssey . Films on Demand. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=151281&l oid=511352 Continuing the story of the Skhul Cave skill, could a tooth hold a key to a mystery connecting the Skhul Cave people to Africa and thus the ancestors to the people of the world? Watch the video to learn more. PBS (Producer). (2016). Skhul cave ancestors (Segment 7 of 14) [Video]. In Great human odyssey . Films on Demand. https://library resources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=151281&loid=511356 Is it possible that the first Americans crossed the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Pacific Ocean? Watch the video to learn m ore. PBS (Producer) (2016). America’s first people (Segment 10 of 14) [Video ]. In Great huma n odyssey . Films on Demand. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=151281&loid=511359