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 Americans

Packed 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.

Auteur

Dorothy Lippert, PhD, a member of the Choctaw nation, is a lecturer on Native American topics and a contributor to American Indian Quarterly.**Stephen J. Spignesi is the coauthor of George Washington's Leadership Lessons.

Résumé
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 Americans
Packed 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.

Contenu

Introduction 1

Part I: America Before It Was "America" 7

Chapter 1: The Rich, Troubled Past of the American Indian 9

Chapter 2: The Great Migrations 27

Chapter 3: The Development of the Ancient Cultures 41

Chapter 4: Hardly a Vast Wasteland: America before 1492 57

Chapter 5: Settling Down: Tribal Settlements after the Great Migrations 67

Chapter 6: The Five Civilized Tribes 91

Chapter 7: A Tally of Important Tribes 107

Part II: Interacting with Others 125

Chapter 8: "Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue" 127