Characteristics Of Native American Empires

By 1491, each diverse Native American tribe had already thriving and self-sufficient communities. This was achieved by three main reasons, starting with inhabitation of land with fertile vegetation. One South American empire utilized their unconventional mountainous geography to their advantage. While there are many factors in which each tribe and empire differed from one another, a common characteristic all Native American societies share is their belief in animism. On these grounds, Native American life centered around agriculture. Between 15,000 and 60,000 years ago, most ancestors of current indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere crossed the Bering Strait and began inhabiting the new land. Others arrived from Asia and the Pacific
Spain’s empire exceeded that of the Roman empire. As Spain continued to expand, the colonizers felt it their duty to spread the Catholic faith and civilize the “noble savages” in exchange for gold and glory. Native Americans were initially enslaved by the Spanish, but a Dominican priest, Bartolomé de Las Casas, offered imported slaves from Africa as an alternative. Spanish explorers faced opposition by the Natives in Florida, along with other regions. Religious leader Popé gathered an uprising to drive out the Spanish from the New Mexico colony in the Pueblo
This geography was problematic for agriculture. To address this issue, step-like terraces were carved into the mountainsides, preventing soil erosion and creating a flat surface for crops. Terraces absorb more sunlight than steep slopes, ideal for growing potatoes, corn, quinoa, and other staples, as the video stated. The Incas utilized their environment to suit their needs. What once proved as a disadvantage turned into an advantage. The importance of farming was reflected in religious ceremonies.
All Native American tribes believed objects, places, and creatures all possessed sacred spirits. Religious ceremonies were often directly related to farming. The religious belief of animism meant that the tribes had to communicate with these spirits. “Religious ceremonies sought to engage the spiritual power of nature to secure abundant crops” among other purposes (Foner 2014, 8). The tribes thought that nature’s spiritual power would ensure plentiful crop if the spirit was