2.2 Study Guide

How did the Ancestral Puebloans respond to long droughts?

• They built homes in the sides of cliffs.

• They left their villages and moved closer to water sources.

• They began digging ditches to water their crops.

• They formed alliances with neighboring people.

long period of extremely dry weather

• drought

• Hoyaneh

• council

• artifact

Answer explanation

A long period of extremely dry weather is defined as a drought. The other options do not relate to this specific weather condition.

The main purpose of the Iroquois League was to

• end warfare among its members.

• unite members under a single government.

• promote trade among its members.

• make peace with the Algonquians.

Answer explanation

The Iroquois League was formed to end warfare among its member tribes, promoting peace and cooperation. This was essential for stability and unity, making 'end warfare among its members' the correct choice.

How did the Ancient Puebloans adapt to their physical environment?

• They built networks of ditches to irrigate the desert.

• They cleared forests to make room for farmland.

• They relied on fishing and hunting for food.

• They built mounds to increase farmland.

Answer explanation

The Ancient Puebloans adapted to their arid environment by building networks of ditches for irrigation, allowing them to cultivate crops in the desert. This method was crucial for their agricultural success.

What archaeological evidence taught scholars about the culture of the Mississippians?

• housing complexes built into the side of cliffs

• kayaks designed to hunt animals over long distances

• large earthen mounds built for religious purposes

• totem poles decorated with animal symbols

Answer explanation

The large earthen mounds built for religious purposes are key archaeological evidence of the Mississippians' culture, indicating their complex societal structure and spiritual beliefs.

The Ancestral Puebloans were a group of peoples who had to learn to adapt to

• a cold, dry climate

• a warm, rainy climate

• a cold, wet climate

• a warm, dry climate

Answer explanation

The Ancestral Puebloans thrived in the Southwestern United States, characterized by a warm, dry climate. They developed agricultural techniques and architectural styles suited to these conditions, making 'a warm, dry climate' the correct choice.

Read the quote.

“I am Dekanawidah [identified as the traditional founder of the Iroquois Confederacy] and with the Five Nations confederate [united for a common purpose] lords I plant the Tree of the Great Peace. . . . Under the shade of this Tree of the Great Peace we spread the soft white feathery down of the globe thistle as seats for you Adodarhoh [an Onondaga chief], and your cousin lords. . . . There shall you sit and watch the council fire of the confederacy of the Five Nations, and all the affairs of the Five Nations shall be transacted at this place before you. . . . We place at the top of the Tree of the Long Leaves an eagle who is able to see afar. If he sees in the distance any evil approaching or any danger threatening he will at once warn the people of the confederacy. The smoke of the confederate council fire shall ever ascend and pierce the sky so that other nations who may be allies may see the council fire of the Great Peace . . .” —Iroquois Constitution

Based on this excerpt, what was the purpose of the Iroquois League?

• o maintain an ever-burning fire as a symbol of unity

• to work together and defend each other to keep peace

• to establish laws that all American Indian nations were to follow

• to provide comfort and care for visiting tribal leaders

Answer explanation

The excerpt emphasizes unity and collective defense among the Five Nations, highlighting the importance of working together to maintain peace, which aligns with the purpose of the Iroquois League.

Which early American Indian group is referred to as mound builders?

• Ancestral Puebloans

• Mississippians

• Great Plains people

• Inuit

Answer explanation

The Mississippians are known as mound builders due to their construction of large earthen mounds for various purposes, including ceremonial and burial sites. Other groups like the Ancestral Puebloans and Inuit did not build mounds.

Which of the following American Indian culture groups was most likely to use canoes?

• Northwestern peoples

• Southwestern peoples

• Great Plains peoples

• Puebloan peoples

Answer explanation

The Northwestern peoples, living near rivers and coastal areas, utilized canoes for transportation and fishing. In contrast, the Southwestern, Great Plains, and Puebloan peoples primarily relied on land-based resources.

North American civilization of mound builders with a prosperous society

• Iroquois League

• Ancestral Puebloans

• Mississippian Culture

• alliance

Answer explanation

The Mississippian Culture was known for its complex societies and large earthen mounds, indicating a prosperous civilization. In contrast, the Iroquois League and Ancestral Puebloans had different societal structures and geographic focuses.