Aztec and Inca PreColumbian Civilization Political Structure Aztecs
Aztec and Inca Pre-Columbian Civilization
Political Structure • Aztecs – Large Empire organized from a central city – Monarchy with a board of nobles and priests that advise and help lead • Incas – Large Empire organized from a central city – Monarchy with nobles posted throughout the empire
Method of Expanding Empire • Aztec – Fierce conquest and alliances – Empire of 30 million people • Inca – Roads connected and led to future conquered people
Treatment of Conquered People • Aztec – Tributes: payment from the conquered people – Sacrifice • Inca – Subjugated them and then made them a part of the empire through military service and reward
Role of Religion • Aztec – Polytheistic – Animistic – Human Sacrifice – gods were above the King and ruled the empire’s daily life • Inca – Polytheistic – Animism – gods were above the King and ruled the empire’s daily life
Social Organization • Aztec – Organized and structured by a class system • Inca – Organized similarly to the Aztecs – Each village was organized according to rank – Arranged marriages
Type of Economy • Aztec – Market: buying and selling controlled by the people • Inca – Command: buying and selling controlled by the government
Style of Public Buildings • Aztec – Grand complex – Religious symbols • Inca – Practical and built into the mountains on terraces – Religious significance
Cities Planned/Randomly Built • Aztec – Planned and artistically designed – Complex and well organized – Floating gardens • Inca – Organized and simple – Built into the mountains – Connected by the road system
Cause and Effect 1 – Able to learn the trade and able to learn about their enemy 2 – Unity builds strength, numbers builds strength 3 – please the gods, to demonstrate the importance of the religion in daily life 4 - Increased usable land, increased food production
Cause and Effect 5 – please the gods, show their strength, lessen the population 6 – time, crops and harvesting, tracking weather occurrences 7 – Test of Aztec strength, empire too large 8 – Corruption, too much influence, control issues
Building an Incan Empire • Ancient Cultures – Common heritage – Lessons from ancestors – Technological advances • Royal Mummies – Royal significance – Heritage – Afterlife
Building an Incan Empire • Pachacuti – Founder of the Incan Empire – Created the Empire by conqueroring the surrounding tribes and folding them into his kingdom – Centralized government
Building an Incan Empire • System of Government – ruling uniform, structure, defense • Language – unity, communication, record keeping • Cities – unity, structure, protection • Road System – unity, communication, easier movement • Economy – unity, structure, functionality • Religion – unity, structure, beliefs, reasons
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