DECEMBER 3 2015 Turn in Vocab Vocab Quiz

DECEMBER 3, 2015 ►Turn in Vocab ►Vocab Quiz ►Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations notes

What do all these things have in common?

Geography of Mesoamerica ► Located in Mexico and Central America ► Warm and tropical climate ► Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea/Gulf of Mexico ► Geography made for limited contact

The Mayans ► Flourished from 300 - 900 AD ► Complex agricultural society § Grew maize, beans, squash, tomatoes ► Established large citystates such as Chichen Itza, Copan, and Tikal

Mayan Religion ► Very important in everyday life ► Focused on human sacrifice to ensure bountiful harvests and victories in battle ► Built large pyramids for sacrifice and worship ► Polytheistic

Mayan Society ► Caste society § § Ruling Chief Nobles Merchants and Artisans Farmers (most people were farmers) ► Pok-a-Tok (Ball Game) ► Pierced ears, tattoos, body painting, straight black hair ► Large headdress for importance

Mayan Economy ► Goods from the highlands were traded with those from the lowlands ► Barter system ► Transported by man, no large animals

Mayan achievements ► Developed a system of writing ► Created an accurate calendar ► Established numbering system that included zero ► Astronomy

Mayan Leaders ► Treated as gods ► Dynastic rule ► Each leader built a temple to show their power ► Famous leaders § Pakal of Palenque § Yik’in Chan K’awiil

Geography of Aztecs ► More interior ► Capital at Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City)

Aztec Civilization ► Nomadic tribe that settled in the Valley of Mexico around 1400 AD ► Many competing small empires § war ends in 1428 ► Triple Alliance § (Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Tenochtitlan) ► Empire lasts from 1428 -1520 ► Home to roughly 1. 25 million people

Tenochtitlan

Mexico City today

Agriculture ► Chinampas: “floating” crop islands

Economy/Trade • Large markets in every city state • Surplus goods traded at markets • Conquered people and made them pay tribute

Religion ► Polytheistic ► Center of everyday life ► Based on human blood sacrifice ► World would not function without sacrifice § Prisoners of war, maidens, youths

Main Gods Tlaloc: God of Rain Huitzilopoctli: God of Sun Human sacrifice ensured the sun would rise every day

Architecture

Geography of Incan Empire ► Extended along the Andes Mountains in South America ► High elevation, steep terrain

The Incan Empire ► Reached its peak in the early 1500’s § Existed from 1000 AD 1560’s AD ► Empire expanded over 2, 000 miles ► Controlled over 12 million people

Society ► ► Society was very stable and organized Ruled by an emperor who had absolute power ► ► Forced conquered peoples to assimilate The 2 nd highest tier of the population were the local governors (collected taxes), Coya (religious leaders) and Nobles § He also acted as religious leader § Son of the Sun God

Agriculture ► Terraced farming ► Farmed corn, potatoes, coffee, and grain

Religion ► Polytheistic ► Offered food, clothing and drink ► Some sacrifice, not as much as Aztecs ► Sun God of Inti

Incan Cities ► Cuzco § Capital city ► Machu Picchu § Most well preserved city

Achievements ► Elaborate system of roads ► Domesticated the Llama ► Terraced farming ► Communication/record keeping § Quipus: Knotted ropes ► Excelled in medicine ► Expertise in metal works