Plant foods formed the basis of Native American Indian Agriculture

Sample Solution

  Around 14,000 years ago, the Earth was in the midst of a slow global warming period. This warming trend allowed for the expansion of forests and grasslands, which in turn provided new habitats for plants and animals. One of the most important developments of this period was the domestication of plants and animals. This allowed humans to become more sedentary and to develop more complex societies.

Full Answer Section

  The three plant foods that formed the basis of Native American Indian Agriculture were corn, beans, and squash. These three crops were known as the "Three Sisters" because they were often planted together and helped to support each other. Corn provided the stalks for beans to climb, beans fixed nitrogen in the soil, and squash helped to suppress weeds. In addition to these three crops, Native Americans also cultivated a variety of other plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and avocados. The protein that Native Americans supplemented their diet with came from a variety of sources, including wild game, fish, insects, and nuts. They also used techniques such as smoking and drying to preserve meat. 3. North of Mexico, what did the North American Indians lack (which would put them at a disadvantage with European settlers)? North of Mexico, the North American Indians lacked several things that would put them at a disadvantage with European settlers. These included:

• Iron: European settlers had iron tools and weapons, which gave them a significant advantage in warfare.
• Horses: European settlers had horses, which allowed them to travel long distances and to carry heavy loads. Native Americans did not have horses until they were introduced by the Europeans.
• Disease: European settlers brought with them a number of diseases that were new to the Americas. These diseases, such as smallpox and measles, had a devastating impact on the Native American population.

In addition to these factors, the European settlers also had a technological advantage over the Native Americans. They had better weapons, better ships, and better armor. This allowed them to conquer and colonize the Americas. Conclusion The slow global warming period that occurred around 14,000 years ago had a profound impact on the development of Native American cultures. The domestication of plants and animals allowed Native Americans to become more sedentary and to develop more complex societies. However, the arrival of European settlers in the Americas would bring about a number of challenges for Native Americans, including the introduction of new diseases, the loss of land, and the suppression of their cultures.