Native American History For Dummies

by Lippert, Dorothy; Spignesi, Stephen J.

• ISBN13: 9780470148419
• ISBN10: 0470148411
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-10-29
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Call them Native Americans, American Indians, indigenous peoples, or first nations - a vast and diverse array of nations, tribes, and cultures populated every corner of North America long before Columbus arrived. Native American History For Dummies reveals what is known about their pre-Columbian history and shows how their presence, customs, and beliefs influenced everything that was to follow.This straightforward guide breaks down their ten-thousand-plus year history and explores their influence on European settlement of the continent. You'll gain fresh insight into the major tribal nations, their cultures and traditions, warfare and famous battles; and the lives of such icons as Pocahontas, Sitting Bull and Sacagawea. You'll discover: How and when the Native American's ancestors reached the continent How tribes formed and where they migrated What North America was like before 1492 How Native peoples maximized their environment Pre-Columbian farmers, fishermen, hunters, and traders The impact of Spain and France on the New World Great Warriors from Tecumseh to Geronimo How Native American cultures differed across the continent Native American religions and religious practices The stunning impact of disease on American Indian populations Modern movements to reclaim Native identity Great museums, books, and films about Native AmericansPacked with fascinating facts about functional and ceremonial clothing, homes and shelters, boatbuilding, hunting, agriculture, mythology, intertribal relations, and more, Native American History For Dummies provides a dazzling and informative introduction to North America's first inhabitants.

Author Biography

Dorothy Lippert, PhD: Dorothy is Choctaw and an archaeologist. She received her BA from Rice University and her MA and PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. She works in the Repatriation Office of the National Museum of Natural History. Dorothy serves on the Executive of the World Archaeological Congress and on the Board of Directors for the Society for American Archaeology. Her research interests include the development of Indigenous archaeology, repatriation, ethics, and the archaeology and bioarchaeology of the Southeastern United States.

Stephen J. Spignesi: Stephen Spignesi is a best-selling author of more than 40 books, including his highly-acclaimed debut novel, DIALOGUES (Bantam). His latest book is George Washington’s Leadership Lessons (Wiley) written with James Rees, the Executive Director of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. He is also the co-author of Second Homes for Dummies (Wiley). His book, JFK Jr. (Citadel), was a New York Times best-seller.

Table of Contents

Introduction

America Before It Was "America"

The Rich, Troubled Past of the American Indian

The Great Migrations

The Development of the Ancient Cultures

Hardly a Vast Wasteland: America before 1492

Settling Down: Tribal Settlements after the Great Migrations

The Five Civilized Tribes

A Tally of Important Tribes

Interacting with Others

"Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue"

The

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