Download - Chapter 5
Mesoamerica
Stretches from the central part of Mexico south to include part of northern Central America
Basically- Mexico and Central America
Geography and Early Maya Thick tropical forests
Cleared to farm Main crop was Maize- Corn
Forest provided resources Food
Deer, rabbits, and monkey Building Materials
Trees and other plants Lived in small villages
The Classic Age
Height of civilization 250-900 AD 40 Large cities No single ruler
Linked through trade Trade routes
Built temples and pyramids In Palenque, Pacal built a temple to
record his achievements
The Classic Age CONT…
Built Canals Used to get water into places where
none existed Terraces
Turning a hillside into stair steps for farming
Social Structure King
Highest position Upper Class
Priests, rich merchants, and noble warriors
Lower Class Everyday people Did the farming, cooking, cleaning,
hunting
Religion
Worshiped Many Gods Sun god Moon god
Blood prevented disasters Sacrifices Offering of blood- Piercing
Decline of Maya
Many possible reasons Lower class rebels More warfare Not enough food Drought
Or even a mix of several of these reasons
Building of an Empire
Farmers who migrated from the north War was a key factor to rise in Aztec
power Received goods from conquered people
Gold, cotton, food
Huge trade networks
Society Aztec Emperor- Highest power
Attended to law, trade, tribute, and warfare Upper class
Tax collectors, judges and government officials You were born into this class
Upper Middle class- highly respected Warriors and priests
Middle Class Merchants and Artisans
Lower class Farmers and laborers
Religion
Worshiped many gods Believed to control nature and human
activities Human Sacrifices
Done to please the gods Most victims captives or slaves 10,000 a year
An average of 27.39 people a day!!!!!
Cultural Achievements Art and Beauty
Fine stone pyramids and statues Used gold, gems, and bright feathers to
make jewelry and masks Embroidered clothing
Knowledge Astronomy Historical records Riddles
Cortes Conquers the Aztecs
Late 1400s the conquistadors arrive in the Americas Montezuma II cautiously welcomes them
Gives gold and other gifts Cortez takes him prisoner anyways
Montezuma II killed Conquistadors driven out
Conquistadors return Gathered help Brought better army and weapons
Cannons, armor, swords Aztecs fall to smallpox
The Incas Create an Empire Same time as Aztecs
South America
Begin in small tribe in Andes Mountains
Cuzco became their capital
Central Rule
Did not want conquered people to have to much power New leaders Trained children
Official Language Quechua
All official business had to be done in this language
Well Organized Economy
Strictly controlled Each household told what to do
Everything went to the empire
Rations were divided by the government
Social Divisions
Two main classes Upper Class
Emperor, government officials, and priests Lived in the best houses Wore the best clothes
Lower Class Farmers, artisans, and servants Plain clothes By law could not own more than needed
Achievements
Master builders Cut stone so well they needed no mortar Major network of roads
Art Pots Gold and silver jewelry
Pizarro Conquers the Incas
Atahualpa went to meet the conquistadors They attacked Atahualpa gave them a room of gold They killed him anyway
Spain took over and ruled for the next 300 years