HISTORY 304
REVIEW PACKAGE
CHAPTER 1
THE FIRST OCCUPANTS
[Circa 1500]
Prepared by C. Drakopoulos
Theme:!
THE ORGINS OF ABORIGINALS IN NORTH AMERICA!
What are the TWO theories of migration?
!
!
It is believed that nomadic hunters first arrived in the Americas
~ 30 000 years ago. HOW?
!
!
!
Theory 1: !
!
!
!
!
BERING STRAIT HYPOTHESIS:
They migrated to N. America by crossing a land-bridge
connecting Asia to N. America during the last ice age.
!
!
!
Theory 2:!
!
!
!
!
MARITIME COASTAL ROUTE:
They migrated to N. America by following the coastline in
boats.
It is believed that these groups settled in the St. Lawrence valley ~ 12 000
years ago.
Prepared by C. Drakopoulos
2
Theme: !
ABORIGINALS: SOCIAL, POLITICAL & ECONOMIC STRUCTURES
Quebec’s Aboriginal nations can be classified into 3 linguistic families:
• Iroquois [Iroquoian]
• Algonquians [Algonquian]
• Inuits [Inuktitut]
How was their society organized? [clue: M.I.S.P.A.N.P.I.N]
IROQUOIS [i.e.: Mohawk]!!
matriarchy! !
!
!
sedentary! !
!
!
longhouses! !
!
!
agriculture, hunting, fishing!
St. Lawrence Lowlands! !
ALGONKIANS [i.e.:
patriarchy! !
nomadic!
!
wigwams!
!
hunting, gathering,
Eastern Subarctic!
Cree]! !
!
!
!
!
!
!
fishing!!
!
!
INUITS
patriarchy
nomadic
igloos/tents
hunting/fish
Arctic
What elements did they have in common?
•
•
•
•
hunting & fishing
canoes as means of transportation
belief in life after death
clothing made from animal skins
Prepared by C. Drakopoulos
3
Theme:
! THE ROLE OF NATURE & SPIRITUALITY
Aboriginals greatly respected nature since it ensured their subsistence. Their
conception of the world revolved around:
•
•
•
•
!
rituals/ceremonies to mark the change of seasons
ANIMISM [the belief that all elements of nature have a soul]
wearing AMULETS [to attract good spirits or ward off evil]
mythology [i.e.: The Three Sisters: corn, squash and beans]
The real world and the spiritual world were very much interconnected as
well:
!
!
• DREAMS were a way for spirits to communicate with the living
• SHAMANS held superior powers that enabled them to communicate
with spirits
• SACRED OBJECTS were used to connect to the spirit world [peace
pipe, drums]
Which qualities/attitudes/behaviors did Aboriginals place importance on?
!
• BRAVERY [in war, childbirth]
• GIFT GIVING [as a means of uniting people]
• ELOQUENCE [the ability to speak well was crucial since Aboriginals
had no writing]
Prepared by C. Drakopoulos
4