Ch 1. Early American Civilizations

Question 1

Spear tips that were first found in _____ were offered as evidence for the Land Bridge theory because similar points have been discovered in the area around Beringia.

Answer 1

Clovis, New Mexico

Question 2

The Oceania Theory is based on the notion that cultural and linguistic similarities exist between native South American peoples and those from:

Answer 2

Australia and Polynesia

Question 3

How were the first settlers of the Americas believed to have been influenced by Beringia?

Answer 3

Beringia was a frozen land bridge caused by lower water levels during the last ice age, creating a new path of travel between Eurasia and the Americas.

Question 4

Why is the finding of the Kennewick Man considered evidence for the Oceania Theory?

Answer 4

The features of the Kennewick Man remains are in line with the Ainu, a native people of Hokkaido, Japan.

Question 5

What is the most accepted theory of how early people found their way to the Americas?

Answer 5

The Bering Land Bridge Theory

Question 6

How did the Aztecs become a wealthy and glorious empire?

Answer 6

By conquering other tribes and collecting tributes

Question 7

Today, Mayan people can be found all over Southern Mexico. So why did so many people think that the Mayans disappeared?

Answer 7

The Maya left their cities due to overpopulation, famine and disease

Question 8

How did the Aztecs react to the arrival of the Spanish?

Answer 8

They welcomed the Spanish with gold and food.

Question 9

Why are the Olmecs considered the first complex society in Mesoamerica?

Answer 9

They developed the region’s first written language and numbering system.

Question 10

The most influential factor in the fall of the Aztecs was:

Answer 10

Vulnerability to European disease

Question 11

The Inca were defeated by:

Answer 11

Francisco Pizarro

Question 12

The last ruler of the Inca before the Spanish was:

Answer 12

Atahualpa

Question 13

The area from which the Inca originated is what country today?

Answer 13

Peru

Question 14

The people known for leaving amazing lines in the deserts of Peru are called:

Answer 14

The Nazca People

Question 15

King Pachacutec of the Inca was:

Answer 15

A great leader who brought conquered peoples into the Inca Empire and crowned himself Inca and replaced his father as the King. There are many different stories about him.

Question 16

How did the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota people acquire the name Sioux?

Answer 16

Through their enemies

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the Iroquois social structure?

Answer 17

At the time of marriage a man joins his wife’s family.

Question 18

Which of the following is true of the lifestyle developed by the Hopi people?

Answer 18

They depended on agriculture.

Question 19

Why were the groups that included the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole considered to be civilized?

Answer 19

Because they adopted customs of the colonists.

Question 20

How were the Chinook and Tillamook able to achieve an affluent, highly complex society?

Answer 20

Food and building materials were readily available due to their positioning, so these groups had time to achieve an affluent, highly complex society.

Question 21

How did the reintroduction of horses affect the lives of Native Americans?

Answer 21

Horses were used for war and hunting.

Question 22

How did European metal affect the lives of Native Americans?

Answer 22

European metal tools were superior to their tools.

Question 23

What was the most significant cause of death among Native Americans following contact with Europeans?

Answer 23

Disease

Question 24

Why did European monarchs of the 15th century sponsor the voyages of many explorers?

Answer 24

They wanted to engage in lucrative trade in Asia.

Question 25

Which were the most common motivators for European exploration in the time of Columbus?

I. Gold

II. Guns

III. God

IV. Glory

Answer 25

Gold, glory and God

Question 26

Which of the following statements about Hernando Cortes is FALSE?

Answer 26

They were mixed with Spanish and African blood but were not of enslaved people.

Question 27

Juan Ponce de Leon was the first European explorer to _____ in 1513.

Answer 27

arrive in what is now Florida

Question 28

How did a hacienda differ from an encomienda?

Answer 28

A hacienda was a land grant from the Spanish crown while an encomienda was a system of labor for Spanish colonies

Question 29

Amerigo Vespucci’s biggest legacy was _____.

Answer 29

having the new world named after him in 1507

Question 30

Which of the following statements about Hernando Cortes is FALSE?

Answer 30

He was searching for El Dorado

Question 31

The Old world ‘received’ _____ from the Columbian Exchange.

Answer 31

Tomatoes and habanero peppers

Question 32

The beginning of the Columbian Exchange was marked after the year _____.

Answer 32

1492 CE

Question 33

What led Columbus to find the ‘New World’?

Answer 33

He was in search of a faster and easier way to Asia

Question 34

Which of the following illustrates how people were part of the Columbian Exchange process?

Answer 34

People were removed from their homes in the west of Africa.

Question 35

How was 90% of the native populations destroyed?

Answer 35

By disease