Transcript Inca Maya Aztec 2010-11

Aztec and Incas
Beginning of Aztec Empire
The Aztecs were founded by the Mexica, early hunters and
warriors who came from the north into central Mexico
Beginning of Aztec Empire
 Legend
predicted the Mexicans
would found a great civilization
where they saw an eagle perched
on a cactus growing out of a rock
 Aztec civilization was created on
Lake Texcoco—strategic with
abundant food supplies &
waterways for transportation
Beginning of Aztec Empire

The capital,
Tenochtitlán,
was founded
in 1325 AD
and located
on the
present-day
site of Mexico
City
Mexican Flag
When captured by Spanish conquistadors
(Cortes) in 1521 , Tenochtitlán was possibly
the largest city in the world
Aztec Empire
 Farming
was the basis of the
Aztec economy, but land was
not large enough to produce
enough food for the
population; Aztecs created
chinampas (floating gardens),
by putting mud on huge mats
made of woven reeds &
placed them in lake—farmed
on soil on these “farms”
Corn, Beans, Tomatoes, Squash,
and Avocados
Aztec Empire- Government
 Aztec
were excellent warriors who
expanded their empire by conquering
their neighbors
 At the top was the Emperor
Aztec Empire- Social Hierarchy
Emperor,
 Nobility
 Commoners- Priests, Merchants, Artisans, Farmers
 Serfs- farmworkers
 Slaves- criminals, prisoners of war

Aztec Empire- Religion

Aztecs were the
“people of the sun”
who honored many
gods, especially sun
god; used human
sacrifices to keep
the gods happy—
victim’s heart was
removed & priest ate
flesh as sign of
respect

Son GodHuitzilopochtli
What does this image show?
Summary of Aztec Empire
Developed
Lacked

Centralized Government

Metal tools

Raised Armies

Large Work Animals

Conquered Empires

Working Wheel

360-day religious calendar

365-day solar calendar
Inca Empire
 The
Inca built one of the largest &
wealthiest
empires in the
world
 It began in the
mid-1400s & was
located on the
western coast of
South America
Inca Empire
Rise of the Inca
Began around 1200 AD, small tribes
competing for scarce fertile land
 Cuzco became the capital

Inca Expansion

AD 1438– Pachacuti and son Topa Inca Yupanqui
Inca Empire
 Incan
Empire extended more than
2,500 miles & included present-day
Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru,
Bolivia, & Argentina—
huge territory covered
deserts, mountains, &
rain forests
Inca
Empire
 Most
famous
city was
Machu
Picchu
Machu Picchu
Inca Government
Divine Ruler
 Permitted local rulers as long as they
were loyal
 Had complex system of tribute
collections, courts, military posts, trade
inspections, and local work regulations

Inca- Agriculture

Used terraced mountain-sides & irrigation
streams for farming- potatoes and quinoa
Inca- Religion
Viracocha-creator
Inti- sun god
Inca Empire
 Other Accomplishments of the Inca:
–Had no writing, but created
record system called
quipu (knots tied to
colored rope)
–Built suspension bridges
–Built 10,000 miles of roads
–Excellent goldsmiths
–Common language- Quechua
Inca Decline

Pizzarro 1530’s AD