QUESTION OF THE DAY

Why does America lag so far behind the world in technology, power, and

contacts?5 minutes to discuss

Empires in the America’s

Before Columbus and the European explorers reached the America’s they were developing in isolation from the rest of the world. When the Europeans arrived they encountered not only societies as complex as their own but mighty empires that dazzled their conquerors. Mound builders of North America Aztecs Incas

Pre-Columbian and Meso-America

After the fall of the Mayans, nomads like the TOLTECS migrated to central Mexico Established there capitol at TULA Carried on long distance trade Exchanged obsidian with the Anazazi of the

Southern United States Started the legend of god QUETZALCOATAL

which has permeated throughout Latin America

Mound builders of North America

700 – 1500 CE in North America

Called the Mississippians

Large mounds used for burial or ceremonies

Most well known is in southern Illinois

Pyramid shape indicates contacts with the Mayans

Rise of the Aztecs Totecs fell in the 12th century; the Aztecs then

filled there place in central Mexico Capitol at Tenochtitlan in 1325

Built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco Maize and beans were staple products Mid 15th century Aztecs were the dominate

power in North America Human sacrifice was widely practiced Polytheistic = chief god was Huitzilopochtu

(the sun god) Classes of nobles, peasants, and slaves

Further organized into classes called CALPULLI Records kept through hieroglyphics Women were respected and produced intricate

weaving

The Incas 1300’s rose to

power in the Andes of South America

Integrated several cultures of the Andes such as the Chimo and other ayllus or clans

By 1438 Incan Empire extended from present day Columbia to the northern portion of Argentina

Structure of the Incan Empire

Ability to integrate 11 million people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds under one empire

Spread the Quechua language through the empire

Center of the empire was the city of Cuzco Settled conquered people in areas away from

their homelands Records kept without writing; by quipas

Groups of knotted cords Knots in various size and color represented different

categories Created a dual system of roads for the

highlands and the lowlands

Inca Society and Religion

Polytheistic centered around the worship of the sun god and the creator god Made ritual human sacrifice to both

Woman carried out traditional child care roles, worked in fields and weaved cloth

Economy based on the cultivation of the potato as their main crop

Inheritance was organized along lines of “parallel descent” passed to both females and males

Atlas Assignment

TITLE = Early American Societies 400 – 1500 CE Include Inca, Aztec, Toltec, Mississippians and

dates and shaded areas Include items such as mounds and locations Major cities and monuments

30 points