America: Native American Society Flashcards
Why were Native Americans mistakenly called ‘Indians’?
Because when Christopher Columbus first arrived in America, he thought he was in India
What was the Sioux’s actual name?
Lakota
Which animal did the Sioux rely on in almost every aspect of life?
Buffalo
What did the Sioux use the buffalo for?
- Muscles - for meat
- Dung - fuel
- Hide - shields, headdresses, clothes
How did the Sioux hunt the buffalo without horses?
- Use animal skins to sneak up on the buffalo then shoot them with a bow and arrows
- Herd them off a cliff
When did horses arrive in America?
1492
When did the Sioux start to use horses for hunting?
16 th century
What were the advantages of hunting buffalo with horses?
- Larger hunting territory
- Could hunt for longer
- Could get closer to the buffalo, before shooting them with arrows
What did horses become for native Americans over time?
A way of determining wealth
What tactics were used to hunt buffalo with horses?
- Splitting up the herd
- Directing them in a certain direction
- Trying to tire out the buffalo
What was a travois?
A cart with no wheels used to carry heavy loads
What was a tipi?
A shelter used as a home for Native Americans living on the plains
What is a moccasin?
A type of shoe, typically made from deerskin
What is a papoose?
A baby carrier used to allow the mother to do other work as well as looking after the baby
Which 4 aspects of Sioux life allowed them to live successfully on the plains?
- Being nomadic
- Having tipis
- Having distinct gender roles
- Polygamy
What roles did men have in Native American society?
- Looked after horses
- Protected the tribe
- Hunted
What roles did women have in Native American society?
- Managed the tipi
- In charge of food, water and clothes
- Raised children
Why were the Sioux nomadic?
- To follow the buffalo
- Because they couldn’t farm