Transcript Mayan, Aztec Notes

250-900 A.D.
The first major civilization in
Central Mexico was Teotihaucan
Largest Mayan city- Tikal (modern
day Guatemala)
Tikal: important, major Mayan
city-state
Served as a center of religious
ceremonies and trade
 Trade
 Although the Mayan city-states were
independent of each other, they were
linked through alliances and trade
 Agriculture (Farming Method)
 Agriculture-particularly growing maize
(corn) was the basis for Mayan life
 Thought to practice slash and burn
farming but the Mayans were
sophisticated
Mayan
King
Noble Class
Merchants
Peasants
 Religion influenced
most aspects of Mayan
life
 Polytheistic
God of
Death
God of Rain
 Sacrifices took place on top of tall
pyramids
 Sacrifice needed to keep order in
the universe
 Calendar
 Religious beliefs led to the development
of the calendar, mathematics and
astronomy
 The Mayans based their calendar on
careful observations of the planets, sun
and moon (astronomical study)
 365 day solar calendar
 260 day calendar based on the orbit of
Venus
 Math/Science
 Mayan astronomers
were able to attain
such great precision
using a math symbol
that included the
concept of zero
 Written language
 The Mayans wrote on a bark paper book
known as codex
Using glyphs, the Mayans were able
to:
Record historic events
Pass on stories from generations to
generations
Make calendars
 Around 900 A.D., Mayan cities
abandoned
 Frequent warfare causes Mayans to
abandon homes
 Overpopulation = over farming =
abandoning homes
 Peasant revolts from heavy taxing
1.) Describe the religious
practices of the Mayans.
2.) List one achievement of the
Mayans.
Chapter 16 Section 3
continued-
 The Valley: lakes at its center, accessible resources and fertile
soil
 Obsidian-green or black volcanic glass found in the Valley of
Mexico and used to make razor-sharp weapons (no evidence
that Teotihuacan conquered its neighbors or tried to create
an empire)
 Art styles and religious beliefs from Teotihuacan have
been found throughout Mesoamerica
 Teotihuacan abruptly declined…possibly due to invasion
 Toltecs
 Capital Tula
 Built pyramids and temples
 Characteristics
 Warlike people (empire based on
conquest)
 Polytheistic
 Human Sacrifice
 Aztec Increase Strength
 Triple Alliance-Texcoco and Tlacopan
 The Aztec based their power on military
conquest and the tribute they gained from
their conquered subjects
 If local rulers failed to pay tribute or
offered any kind of resistance, the Aztecs
responded brutally
The Aztecs were polytheistic
Sacrifice to the Sun God
Conquered provinces resented
the Aztec because the Aztec used
conquered people for human
sacrifices
Empires
Spanish Flag
Spanish
Colonization
Aztec
Aztec
Emperor
 Spanish
 Technologically advanced
(swords, guns, cannons)
 Cortez recruits the Tlaxacalan
people against the Aztec
 Montezuma: Aztec leader
 Rebellion:
 1520: Aztec victory
 Later: smallpox killed many
Native Americans
 1521: Spanish victory
 Tenochtitlan destroyed
 New City: Mexico City
 Capital of the Spanish
colony of New Spain
 Expeditions in Central
America and Mexico
 Conquistadors
“Conquerors”
 Encomienda System: Class Based System
 Based on Birth, Education and Income
 1.) Peninsular
 Born in Spain
 Highest positions in the government and the
church
 2.) Criollos
 Born in the colonies with Spanish parents
 3.) Mestizos
 Mixed: Spanish and Native American parents