chapter 7: civilizations of the americas. section 1: civilizations of middle america geography: the...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 7: Civilizations of the Americas
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Geography: The Americas– 30,000 years ago, small family groups of
Paleolithic hunters and good gatherers reached North America from Asia.
– Great Migration…last ice age• Water froze…sea level dropped exposed a land bridge
between Siberia and Alaska.
– 10,000 BC…Earth grew warmer..ice melted…covering the land bridge
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Geography: The Americas– North America• The Rocky Mountains
– Middle (Central) America• East Sierra Madre• West Sierra Madre
– South America• Andes
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Agricultural Revolution– Farming may have been a response to the
disappearance of large mammals.– Had to cultivate the land and domesticate the
animals.– Farming people settled into villages…population
expanded and developed into cities.
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Legacy of the Olmecs– Tropical forests along
the Mexican Gulf Coast 1400-500 BC
– Very little known…but rich tombs and temples point towards a powerful class of priests and aristocrats.
– Built ceremonial centers– Giant carved heads– Calendar
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• The World of the Mayas– AD 300-900– Farmers cleared the
forests and built raised fields that caught the rain.
– Tikal (Present-day Guatemala)• Wealth was gained from
trade• Largest structures in the
Americas until 1903 (Flatiron building)
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Social Classes– Each Mayan city had its own ruling chief.– Surrounded by nobles who served as military
leaders and officials who managed public works, collected taxes, and enforced laws.
– Priests held great power• Elaborate ceremonies to ensure good harvests.
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Advances in Learning– Hieroglyphic writing system– Scribes kept their knowledge in books made of
bark– Developed two calendars– Developed a numbering system that included
zero.– Mayan Ball Game (Pg. 161)• Video
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• The Decline– A.D. 900 the Mayans abandoned the cities.– Not sure on the exact reason but maybe…• Frequent warfare• Overpopulation…over farming the land• Heavy taxes…peasant revolts
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• The Valley of Mexico– Teotihuacān (A.D. 100-
750)• Well planned, wide roads,
massive temples, and large apartment buildings.
• Citizens worshipped a powerful nature goddess and rain god.
• Eventually fell to invaders.
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Arrival of the Aztecs– Moved in from the
North– Tenochtitlān (Present-
day Mexico City)– Chinampas: Artificial
islands made of earth that would float on water.• Video
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Conquering an Empire– Expanded their territory– Over most of Mexico (Gulf – Pacific)– By 1500: 30 million people– Tribute: Payment from conquered peoples.• Helped the Aztecs turn their capital into a magnificent
city.
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• The World of the Aztecs– Spanish reached Tenochtitlān in 1519 and Cortēs
was awestruck with its magnificence.– Geography & History (pg. 163)
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Government and Society (Aztecs)– Had a single ruler who was chosen by a council of
nobles and priests to lead in war.– Below the ruler, nobles served as officials, judges,
and governors of conquered provinces.– Warriors could rise to noble status by killing or
capturing enemy soldiers– Commoners farmed the land– Slaves (criminals or POW) could buy their freedom
and land.
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Religious Beliefs– Were a class apart– Performed rituals needed to please the man Aztec
gods.– Chief Aztec god was Huitzilopochtli (sun god)• Giant pyramid • Battled forces of darkness each night and was reborn
each morning.• Legend of the Five Suns (pg. 158)
– Human Sacrifices
Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
• Education and Learning– Priests were the keepers of Aztec knowledge• Recorded laws and historical events• Ran schools• Illness was a punishment from the gods
Section 2: The World of the Incas
• Read aloud in class• Group guides (Due FRIDAY!)– Geography– Government– Communication– Economy – Religion– Chosen Women
Section 3: Peoples of North America
The Desert Southwest: Anasazi• 4 corners• AD 900-1300• Built large villages (later
called pueblos)– Complex with 800 rooms– Terraces served as roads– Center was the plaza– Kiva: Large underground
chamber used for religious ceremonies.
• Attacked by Navajos & Apaches
• Traditions survived among the Hopi & other Pueblo Indians
Section 3: Peoples of North America
The Mound Builders• Mississippi & Ohio Valleys
farming cultures emerged as early as 700 BC– Adena & Hopewell (Ohio
Valley)• Build mounds
– Mississippians built clusters of earthen mounds• Cahokia (Illinois)• Left no written records
Section 3: Peoples of North America
• Diverse Regional Cultures– Iroquois League: An alliance of five nations who
spoke the same language and shared similar traditions.
Group Assignment
• Culture Pamphlet– Tri-fold– Pictures & Information– You will be graded on how it looks!!– Imagine that this pamphlet will be handed out at a
historical Native American Indian site.