cities and empires chapter 1, section 2 chapter 1 the first americans section 1 – early peoples...

Cities and Empires

Chapter 1, Section 2

Main Idea

Several factors led to the rise and decline of great civilizations in the Americas.

1-2 Workbook

The Maya

thrived from A.D. 300-900 Southern Mexico & Central America Tikal was largest city (present-day Guatemala) Mayan priests controlled everything (theocracy) skilled in astronomy & mathematics

(example – 365-day calendar) first written language in the Americas

(hieroglyphics) why civilization declined in A.D. 900 is a

mystery

The Aztec

1325-1519 Central Mexico island in Lake Texcoco chosen because of

religious sign (eagle perched on cactus with snake in beak)

society organized around religion (human sacrifices)

Tenochtitlan was once the largest city in Americas

military empire kept growing by conquering others

The Inca

1400-1532 West coast of South America along the Andes

Mountains (Peru) expert builders (Macchu Picchu) terraces throughout Andes Mountains for

farming medically advanced (brain surgery) largest empire in the Americas (land and

population)

Which Civilization?

They developed an early 365-day calendar to plan religious activities and farming.

MAYA

Which Civilization?

They grew enough crops to feed its ten million citizens by carving terraces into the mountainous terrain of the Andes, and growing corn, potatoes and more.

iNCA

Which Civilization?

They built the amazing city of Tenochtitlan – complete with stone pyramid structures, drawbridges and floating gardens.

AZTEC

Which Civilization?

Which civilization controlled the most land area?

iNCA

Which Civilization?

They had the first written language in the Americas, with over 500 glyphs to represent different ideas.

MAYA

Which Civilization?

No written language, but they had a record-keeping system of knotted strings called quipus.

iNCA

Which Civilization?

When their powerful military conquered other Native American groups, they often sacrificed captured enemies to the Gods.

AZTEC

Which Civilization?

Which is the westernmost civilization shown on the map?

AZTEC

Which Civilization?

They were advanced medically, even successfully practicing brain surgery centuries ago.

iNCA

Which Civilization?

Since the dry soil was not good for farming, they planted “floating crops” on reed mats. The crops rooted themselves in the shallow lake bed.

AZTEC

Which Civilization?

Their civilization declined around 900AD. Archaeologists are still trying to solve the mystery of the end of this great civilization.

mAYA

Which Civilization?

In the Disney movie based on this civilization, the main character is named Cuzco, after the capital city.

iNCA

Which Civilization?

Which civilization is shown in red?

MAYA

Which Civilization?

To connect their huge empire, runners carried messages over 10,000 miles of stone paved roads.

INCA