1. What were the two most important trade items in Ghana?

2. Describe the importance of Mansa Musa.

3. Explain the Bantu migrations and its’ importance.

Standard 8

SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.

a. Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca empires.

b. Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.

What were the 4 major empires of Central and South America?

1. Olmec2. Mayan3. Aztec4. Inca

First known Mesoamerican civilization Mesoamerica: Central Mexico to northern

Honduras (Central America) Often called “mother culture” because of

influence on other Mesoamerican societies

1200 BCE: Located in jungles of southern Mexico In modern-day Mexican states of Veracruz and

Tabasco (video)

Developed large trading network throughout Mesoamerica which brought them great wealth and spread culture

Create courtyards, pyramids, and large stone monuments Some monuments weighed 44 tons

Worship jaguar spirit Found on pottery, monuments, and sculptures

Unknown reasons- declined by 400BC

2 theories:

1. Outside invaders destroyed Olmec2. Death of rulers

Cities and symbols influenced later cultures- esp the Mayans

Located from southern Mexico to northern Central America

Adopted Olmec culture

Built cities throughout empire 50 major sites discovered (video)

Mayans were divided into individual city-states ruled by king-gods Centers of religious ceremonies and trade

Built giant pyramids, temples, palaces, and stone carvings

Economy was based on trade & farming maize/beans

Cities linked by alliances and trade Traded salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, cotton

textiles, and jade

(1) Kings (dynasties)(2) Nobles, priests(3) warriors(4) Merchants, artisans(5) Peasants

Polytheistic

Offered their blood, food, and sometimes human sacrifices to please the gods

Gods of corn, death, rain, and war Gods could be good or evil

Believe each day was a god whose behavior could be predicted with calendars

3 ways to honor gods:

1. Prayer & offerings: food, flowers, incense

2. Bloodletting: barbed strings through the tongue and ears Believe blood nourishes gods

3. Human sacrifice Used captured enemies

Believe human sacrifice pleases the gods and kept the world in balance

Mayans invented a writing based on pictures called glyphs, an accurate 365-day calendar, & advanced temples

1. Calendar: 365 days Identified best times to plant crops, attack

enemies, and crown new rulers

2. Mathematics: included the concept of zero Used for calendar and astronomy

3. Astronomy

4. Hieroglyphics: most advanced in ancient Americas Recorded historic events

700’s: warfare in many Mayan cities Disrupts trade and economy

Problems with population growth and over-farming Led to food shortages, famine, and disease

What is the belief that the individual soul is reborn in a different form after death?

What was the first known Mesoamerican civilization located in the jungles of Southern Mexico?

Which empire was located from Southern Mexico to Northern Central America, adopted Olmec culture, and built cities throughout their empire?

Partner up, answer, and discuss the questions on the following pages

Pg. 243: 2, 3, 4 Read pg. 244-245, 450-451 Pg. 449: 2, 3, 4, 5