Question

what were the Americans like prior to the conquest?

Answer 1

History of the americans prior to the conquest by europeans can be listed in following 3 periods- 1- Paleo-Indian Period The limited information about this period tells us that the first men in america were nomadic people. They used to hunt by using stone tools and spears etc. 2- Archaic Period During this period finer stone tools and bone tools etc appeared. These people also had greater knowledge of the local environment and all the plants and animals present. Trading of different goods among natives also started during this period. Agriculture on a very small scale also started. 3- Woodland period During this period people started getting settled near water sources like streams and rivers etc. Farming of sunflower, corn etc also got started. Wooden homes were also built. But they still mainly relied on hunting with deer being the most common animal. During the middle of this period the Mississippian tradition also got established. Formal systems of governance was developed. European discovery during the end of woodland period resulted in change of way of life. Population declined due to large scale european diseases. European conquest also brought with it violent conflict between whites and indians.