Transcript WHPP Unit 1 Section 7 Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica
Unit 1 Section 7
TYWL: How were ancient civilizations and empires able to development, grow
and create a lasting impact?
How has conflict and innovation influenced political, religious, economic and
social changes in medieval civilizations?
Question of the Day 3
One way in which the Five Relationships,
the Ten Commandments, and the
Eightfold Path are similar is that they
(1) promote polytheism
(2) establish gender equality
(3) provide codes of behavior
(4) describe secularism
Olmec
ca. 1200-300 bce
Olmecs

Est. first major Mesoamerican civilization.

Mother Culture

Mathematicians

First writing in North America
Olmec heads glorified the rulers
Made of basalt, they range from
5 to 11 feet high
Quarried stone needed to be
transported 65 miles from Tuxtla
Mts. via log rollers, wooden sleds
and rafts
Shamanism

Shamanism - is the ability to
assume the powers of animals
associated with the shaman.
The Mayan Civilization

Developed around 1000 BC
– 10 million people spread among
40 cities.
– Trade and agriculture helped
support larger populations.
Mayan Farming Practices

Slash and Burn Agriculture-
Mayan Cities & Government

Classic Age-(250 to 900 AD)

Built:
– Stone pyramids
– Temples
Mayan Society & Religion

Society
 Religious Ceremonies
– Kings ruled with absolute power
– Offering of blood to the
gods. (Blood Letting)
– Ball Game
– Losing team
sacrificed.
– Human Sacrifice
Mayan Achievements


Astronomy
Math
– Used Zero (0)

Writing
Mayan Calendar

The Maya had two
calendars:
– 365 day farming calendar
– 260 day religious calendar
Decline of Mayan
Civilization

Factors to decline:
– Environmental Damage
– Drought
– Warfare Increased
The Aztecs

Located in modern day Mexico, and
Tenochtitlan was the capital city.
Aztec Empire


Conquered people
paid tribute (tax)
The Aztec Empire
gained wealth:
– Trade
– Tribute
Tenochtitlan

Size
– 5 square miles


Approximately 3200 acres

Architecture
– Walled City
– Ball court
– “Floating Gardens”

Population
– 200,000
Aztec Society
Though people were born into a
certain class it was possible to
move up the ranks within a life
time.

Chinampas
Social Classes
King
Priests & Warriors
Farmers
Slaves & Prisoners of War
Aztec Religion

Huitzilopochtli and was known as both the sun
god & war god.
– Human sacrifice was practiced heavily in the
Aztec religion.

War captives were used in the sacrifices
Aztec Achievements

Written Record
– Glyphs- symbols that represented both
objects and sounds.

Kept track of tax record and business details.