Native America Lesson

Unit Introduction: Native Americans and Resource Influence on Human Settlement

Introduction:
For thousands of years, Native Americans shaped the landscapes of North America, using the resources available to sustain their cultures, communities, and ways of life. From the Great Plains to the Pacific Northwest, natural resources played a key role in determining where groups settled, how they lived, and their interactions with others. However, European colonization and expansion drastically altered these patterns, forcing Native American populations to adapt or move to new regions. In this unit, we will explore how resources shaped settlement patterns, conflicts, and cultural adaptations throughout U.S. history.

The essential question we will focus on is how does resources influence populations movement throughout United States History.At the end of this unit, students will participate in a Socratic Seminar to discuss how access to resources continues to influence population movements and cultural change.

Essential Question : How does resources influence population movement throughout United States History?

Supporting questions

• How did the first Americans reach the America's?

• To what extent was the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears justified by the United States government's desire for westward expansion.

• How has treatment of Native Americans changed over time?

• What rights should Native Americans hold due to past treaties?  Golden eagle and Fishing? 

We will cover Wisconsin Act 31 and SS.Geog3.a.m Analyze the relationship between the distribution of resources and patterns of human settlement within states, countries, and regions of the world now and in the past.