The complex dynamics of Native American societies before European contact and the subsequent Impact of the Columbian Exchange on Native Americans shaped Period 1 of American history, demonstrating diverse cultural adaptations and significant transformations.
• Advanced civilizations in Central and South America, including the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca, developed sophisticated agricultural and architectural systems
• North American indigenous peoples established varied societies adapted to their environments, from sedentary Pueblo communities to nomadic tribes
• European exploration was driven by post-plague population growth, political centralization, and economic motivations
• Portuguese and Spanish maritime expeditions led to the first sustained European-Native American contact, fundamentally altering both societies
