Transcript Early Civilizations in Meso

Early Civilizations in MesoAmerica
Ch. 11 Sec. 2
Essential Questions: TEKS WH6.AB, WH27.B-C
What are the political, social,
economic & cultural characteristics of
the Mayas, Incas & Aztecs?
What impact did the Mayas, Incas &
Aztecs have politically, culturally,
socially, and economically?
What contributions did each have
make towards Astronomy, Math &
Architectural engineering?
I. The Maya
300-900ad in C. America & S. Mexico
Built temples, pyramids & complex
calendar
Political & Social structure
City states governed by hereditary ruling
class “descended from God”
Always at war w/each other; captured
became slaves or human sacrifice.
video
I. The Maya cont’d
Society: Townspeople (Artisans, officials,
merchants), peasant farmers
Men: fighting hunting
Women: homemaking, raising children.
•
Religion:
-Mayan believed life was in the hands of
a divine power. Human sacrifice was
natural.
I. The Maya cont’d
Writings and Calendars:
Writing system based on hieroglyphics
Spanish conquerors saw this as evil &
destroyed almost all books.
Mayan calendar was a complex system
of living several worlds.
Spanish destruction of Mayan culture
helped end the civilization.
Aztec Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4
JabdIKx8s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_
wAHvHIntM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f33
2HpnpgkI&feature=related
II. Aztecs
1100-1500s ad
Est. Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco
The Legend
1325 under attack by another people
and driven into a swamp they believe
that the legend comes true.
They est. here constructing temples,
roadways, houses.
II. Aztecs cont’d
semi-independent territories supported by
the Aztec ruler in return for tribute.
Political & Social Structures:
-4 million Aztecs
-Power in the monarch by God assisted by
lords & gov’t officials
-Society: Commoners (farmers),
Indentured workers (landless labor
contracted for work), Slaves (captured in
war)
II. Aztecs cont’d
Males @ young age were told to be
warriors.
Females @ young age were told to
stay at home
They were NOT EQUALS but women
could own & inherit property and enter
into contracts.
II. Aztecs cont’d
Religion & Culture:
-believed in many gods and the
unending struggle between forces of
good and evil.
-The creation and destruction of 4
worlds and the birth of the 5th
-Human sacrifice was a form of
appeasement.
II. Aztecs cont’d
Destruction of Aztecs:
European Invasion
Local Alliances
Disease