The Aztec and Incan Empires A Comparative Look

The Aztec and Incan Empires A Comparative Look at the Two Greatest Indigenous Empires in North and South America Before Their Spanish Conquests.

Basic Objectives to Know ¬Brief histories ¬Occupations ¬Foods ¬Religious practices ¬Final days ¬Questions and answers

History of the Aztecs ¬ Prospered through war and trade ¬ Took nearly all of Mexico ¬ Autocratic king ¬ Instilled fear into neighbors through sacrifices

History of the Incas ¬ Conquered and incorporated local tribes ¬ Took Ecuador to central Chile ¬ King ruled with caste system ¬ Dispersed wealth ¬ Oral history tradition

Occupations Aztec Empire ¬ Fighting wars ¬ Improving technology ¬ Forming canals ¬ Trading ¬ Governmental jobs Incan Empire ¬ Farming ¬ Improving medicine ¬ Forming roads ¬ Weavers ¬ Public service jobs ¬ Engineers/Architects

Foods Aztec Empire ¬ Vegetables – Corn, tomatoes, peppers, … ¬ Fruits ¬ Meat – Wild beasts – Human limbs Incan Empire ¬ Vegetables – Corn, potatoes, peanuts, … ¬ Fruits ¬ Meat – Guinea pigs & ducks

Religious Practices Aztec Empire ¬ Sun worship ¬ Human sacrifices ¬ Fight against darkness ¬ Daily rituals Incan Empire ¬ Sun worship ¬ Llama sacrifices ¬ Many lesser gods ¬ Divine emperor ¬ Monthly rituals

Final Days of the Aztecs ¬ Peak of power ¬ Large Spanish ships ¬ Believed benign deity returned ¬ Population revolted ¬ Empire fell

Final Days of the Incas ¬ Peak of power ¬ Brothers Huascar and Atahualpa began civil war ¬ Pizarro executed winner ¬ Population revolted ¬ Returned control to the citizens

Questions and Answers Which empire(s) operated by a caste system? the Aztecs the Incas both empires

Questions and Answers Which empire(s) used canals frequently? the Aztecs the Incas both empires neither empires

Questions and Answers Which empire(s) practiced sun worship? the Aztecs the Incas both empires

Questions and Answers Which empire(s) believed the Spanish were deities returning to bless them? the Aztecs the Incas both empires neither empires

Questions and Answers Which empire(s) ate corn? the Aztecs the Incas both empires neither empires

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