SSWH 8 Demonstrate an understanding of the development

SSWH 8 Demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.

• The Americas

The Olmec • Earliest American civilization • Advanced political system • Headed by priests and nobles • Religious beliefs influenced later American civilizations • Polytheistic • Based on nature (animals)

The Maya

The Maya • Lived on the Yucatan Peninsula • Political Organization • Made up of independent city-states • Each city had its own king • Economic Organization • City-states connected through trade • Religious Organization • Polytheistic • Human Sacrifice

Maya • Social Organization • Majority farmers • Slaves • POWs • Intellectual Organization • Writing • Hieroglyphics • Ball Game • Game that held political and religious importance • Calendar • Astronomy and Mathematics

The Aztec

Aztec • Lived in present-day Mexico • Political Organization • Unified under one king • Capital at Tenochtitlan • Built in the middle of a lake • Conquered people and forced them to pay tribute (taxes) • Economic Organization • Engaged in long-distance trade

Aztec • Religious Organization • Same as Olmec and Maya • Human Sacrifice very important • Social Organization • Mostly farmers • Chinampas • Floating gardens for growing food • Priests very important • Traders made up the middle class

Aztec • Intellectual Organization • Calendar • Knowledge of medicine • Hieroglyphic Writing

The Inca

Inca • Lived in South America in Andes Mountains • Political Organization • Centralized under one ruler • Inca means Emperor • Emperor seen as a God • Capital at Cuzco • Economic Organization • Limited trade because of mountains

Inca • Religious Organization • Similar to Aztecs • Social Organization • Majority Farmers • Terraces • Intellectual Organization • Medicine • Brain Surgery • • Metalwork Weaving Quipu (Inca record keeping) Incan Roads and Bridges (connected the Empire)