Transcript Aztec and Inca civilizations.

The Americas
600 - 1500
Ch 11 - The Earth and Its Peoples
Mesoameric
a
600 - 1450
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Olmec - collapsed by 100 C.E.
600 - 900 = classical era
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Maya
people of Teotihuacan
900 - 1520’s = post classical era
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Toltecs 900 - 1100
Aztecs
capital city - Tenochtitlan
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Toltec
Maya
The Americas
Mesoamerica
Mayan city states 250 - 900
Toltecs 900 - 1200
Aztec Empire 1200’s - 1500’s
Tenochtitlan
Andean South America
Inca Empire 1200’s - 1500’s
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May
a
Government:
Each city-state had its own
king.
stelae memorial
pillars for
leaders or for
special
ceremonies
Mayan calendar
used by Aztec
Performed human sacrifices to appease their gods. Humans sacrificed were prisoners of war,
defeated elites. Commoners used for the labor force. Bloodletting pleased the gods, so
sacrifice victims were often lacerated before being decapitated in order to produce more blood.
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Continuity and Change from
classical to post-classical
era:
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Continuity:
All civilizations had similar religious beliefs and practices, architecture, urban planning
and social organization.
Changes:
Population density increased, cities became larger = Toltec and Aztec.
Agriculture intensified in order to sustain the larger population.
Warfare intensified, becoming more frequent and involving more people as competition
for land increased.
Centralized, stronger governments maintained larger armies.
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Teotihuaca
n
city
population reached 200,000
had much more extensive trade and
many more professional merchants
than Maya civilization.
Toltecs
Quetzalcoatl = “feathered
serpent”
capital city = Tula
much larger military than earlier civilizations
Topiltzin = famous ruler, associated with the god Quetzalcoatl - legend
says he was forced into exile but he promised to return some day - legend
is picked up by the Aztec who anticipated his return. Why is this legend
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important?
Aztec
s
Tenochtitlan
=
capital
city
population = 200, 000 to 400,000
people
Ruling aristocrats
selected Aztec ruler
who was considered
semi-divine.
Priests
performed the
ritual of human
sacrifice.
chinampas =
floating
gardens
The Aztecs developed a
warrior culture. They were
always conquering their
neighbors.
Was this a good or bad
idea? Why?
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How else did they sustain the
huge population of Tenochtitlan?
• Tribute system = Imposed on
conquered peoples, who contributed
maize, beans and other foods to
support Tenochtitlan.
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Aztec Government
a military aristocracy formed the ruling group of the
Aztec government.
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semi-divine king = selected by election from among the male members of
the ruling family
priests
king’s officials = earned positions through heroic military leadership and
conquest
warriors = had proven themselves in battle by taking at least 4 prisoners
for sacrifice
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Aztec
Government
One emperor who was
treated as a god.
Montezuma II becomes
emperor in 1502
Which ruler seemed
to be more powerful:
Mayan or Aztec?
Why?
Which government seemed
to have been more
centralized Mayan or Aztec?
Why?
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Inca
Empire
Inca ruler:
Considered a deity
descended from he sun.
Imposed one language Quechua
Controlled the economy Inca socialism
Demanded a labor tribute
from all males - mita
Environment: Easier or harder than
Aztec environment for development?
quipu
What’s more important: the development of
a writing or mathematic system? Why?
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Waru Waru Agriculture
Waru waru - an agricultural technique used
in the Andes before the Incas.
Combines raised beds and an irrigation
system to prevent soil erosion. Adopted by
the Incas.
Hillside terracing.
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Inca Social Classes:
• Same as Aztec
EXCEPT: no
merchant class
because “trade” was
controlled by the
government - known
as “Inca socialism”
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Comparing and contrasting
Aztec and Inca civilizations.
Decide if the evidence supports
similarities or differences
in the following categories:
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• Time
and Place (E & E of EESPRITE)
Aztecs
and
Incas:
• Geography - which was more isolated?
What challenges did they both faith?
How may have the geographic
challenges impacted political
developments?
• Political developments
• Religious beliefs. Include how did
religious beliefs influence the
government?
• Economic system • Social System 15