Social Studies 4-8 Texas Certification - PACT Questions and Answers(A+ Solution guide)

When did the first people start to arrive in America? - Answer-Around 38,000 BC. (40,000 years ago) Who were the first people to arrive in America? - Answer-Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers What caused the Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers to come to America? - Answer-They were following herds of animals they were hunting Define Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers - Answer-Communities of people who move from place to place, relying on plants and animals found in the wild for food Define Migration - Answer-The movement of a number of people (or animals), often to establish a new homeland How did the Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers travel to America from Asia? - Answer-It was during the Ice Age. This means that seawater was frozen, causing the ocean level to be low. Gatherers were able to cross land that had been exposed due to this, known as the Bering Land Bridge. This was located at the tip of Asia and reached to Alaska. What is the Land Bridge Theory? - Answer-A theory of the Hunter-Gatherers using the Bering Land Bridge to cross from Asia to America during the Ice Age. What happened in 10,500 BC - Answer-The Ice Age ended. Oceans rose and covered the Bering Land Bridge. This prevented migration into North America. Ice Age animals died off or were hunted until extinction. Smaller animals that thrive in warmer weather replaced them Define Culture - Answer-The way a society behaves and its system of beliefs, laws, and customs What is maize? - Answer-An early form of cornWho were the first settlers in America? - Answer-Some nomadic tribes stayed in Alaska, they then began to settle in America by building permanent homes and learning to plant seeds Define society - Answer-A group of people living together as a group Define civilizations - Answer-An advanced and complicated society Who was one of the first great civilizations? - Answer-The Olmec society Who were the Olmec? - Answer-A society who flourished in MesoAmerica. They grew enough food to feed thousands of people and are known for the giant stone sculptures and pyramids they built. In 400 BC, they disappeared and no-one knows why. What is MesoAmerica? - Answer-The area now called Central America Where and when did the Maya civilization develop? - Answer-Around 300 BC in the mesoamerican rain forest Olmec Location and Time Frame - Answer-Mesoamerica, 1200-400 BC Maya Location and Time Frame - Answer-Mesoamerica, 300 BC-900 CE Aztec Location and Time Frame - Answer-Mexico, Tenochtitlan, CE Inca Location and Time Frame - Answer-South America, Cuzco, CE Who were the Maya? - Answer-They raised crops and built pyramids and temples. They had theocracy, meaning they worshipped the sun, stars, and moon. They also developed a 365-day calendar. The Maya built a large trade network and canals. By 900 CE, their power and influence had diminished greatly.Define Theocracy - Answer-Rule by god(s); government where the priests are in charge Who were the Aztecs? - Answer-They began as hunters and warriors, conquering what is now Central Mexico around 1100 CE. They founded their capital, Tenochtitlan in 1325 on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. They built bridges to connect the island to their mainland. The capital became one of the largest cities in the world. They continued to conquer and became extremely powerful. They even used some prisoners as human sacrifices. By 1500,