4. Document-Based Question (DBQ): Cultural Exchange and Trade

Prompt: Analyze how trade networks contributed to the cultural and economic development of Mississippian societies. Use the following documents and your knowledge of history to support your answer:

Document 1: Map showing trade routes extending from Cahokia

Document 2: Archaeological findings of non-local artifacts in mounds (e.g., shells, copper, pottery)

Document 3: Excerpt describing the role of trade in Mississippian religious practices

Guidance and Explanation:

Discuss how trade networks facilitated the exchange of goods, such as shells from coastal areas and copper from distant regions, enriching Mississippian culture.

Analyze how trade supported economic stability, social stratification, and religious practices by providing materials for ceremonial use.

Skills Tested:

Interpreting primary sources; Connecting evidence to broader historical themes; Analyzing the role of trade in societal development