Module 8 Introduction and Outcomes

Module 8: Peoples of the Americas

Civilizations in the Americas emerged separately from other major civilizations in the world. The indigenous people of the Americas are believed to have been immigrants from Asia, who crossed over to America during the Ice Age, approximately 20,000 years ago. These new immigrants quickly spread throughout the Americas, in small and culturally distinct groups. The development of agriculture in the Americas five thousand years ago led to the flourish of new culturally advanced societies and innovations. Pre-Columbian American civilizations, such as the Mayas, Aztecs, Incas, and Olmecs were socially stratified and technologically advanced.

In this unit, we will see that civilizations developed in two main regions of the Americas: Mesoamerica and the Peruvian highlands. In fact, we will see that the entire area that stretched from central Mexico to Chile formed a continuous chain of developing civilizations.

Time Advisory

This unit will take you 6 hours to complete.

• Section 8.1 Origins of American Societies: 2 hours
  
  
• Section 8.2 Spread of Civilization in Mesoamerica: 2 hours
  
  
• Section 8.3 Cultures of South America: 1.5 hours
  
  
• Section 8.4 Module 2 Quiz: 0.5 hours
  
  

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Identify the major Pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas.
  
• Describe the relationship between geographical features and developments of early civilizations in the American continent.
  
• Compare and contrast the different political, social, and religious characteristics of particularly the Mesoamerican and Peruvian civilizations.