Empires in the Americas

1. Empires in the Americas Chapter 16

2. American Civilizations • In the Americas, Native American, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations develop prior to the arrival of the Europeans. • These civilizations, reflecting their geographic diversity, all develop sophisticated social, political, and economic institutions.

3. American Civilizations • The dwellings and characteristics of Native American cultures, such as the Pueblos and Mound Builders, reflect their different environments. • Common patterns of trade, religion, and social structure link diverse Native American peoples.

4. American Civilizations • Complex North American societies were linked to each other through cultureand economics. • Traditions and ideas from these cultures became part of the cultures of North America.

5. Southwest Native Americans • Irrigateddesert lands; • used pottery; • built cliff dwellings, pueblos, kivas

6. Northwest Coast • Gathered food and hunted, fished; • differences in wealth created social classes; • had potlatches

7. Both • Believed in nature spirits • believed in Great Spirit • believed landwas for everyone • sought harmonywith nature • felt familywas the basic unit

8. Mayan Kings and Cities • Mayan civilization flourishes in Mesoamericaduring the first millennium A.D. • Mayan cities and farms, religious practices, and achievements reflect a highly advanced culture. • By the 900s, however, the Mayawere in decline.

9. The Maya developed a highly complex civilizationbased on city-statescontrolled by dynasties of kings. • Descendantsof the Maya still occupy the same territory. (about 2 million)

10. Mayan’s Complex Civilization • They built spectacular city-states ruled by dynasties of god-kings. • Created a complex religious system • Created huge architectural sites • Developed advanced mathematics, astronomy(used to create famous calendar), and writing systems • Developed sophisticated farming methods

11. TheAztecs Control Central Mexico • In the Valley of Mexico, the Aztecsemerge in the 1200s, building on the foundations of earlier cultures. • They conquer neighboring states to create the largest empire in Mesoamerica. • By the 1500s, the empire begins to unravel.

12. Through alliancesand conquest, the Aztecs created a powerful empire in Mexico. • This time period saw the origins of one of the 20th century’s most populous cities, Mexico City.

13. Tenochtitlan • Capital City engineered by the Aztecs.

14. Sacrifices • Human sacrifices were common among the Aztecs and created enemies.

15. Growth of the Aztec Empire

16. The Inca • In the Peruvian Andes, the Inca in the 1400s establish the largest empire in the Americas. • They created a highly controlled economy and an official religion. • In the early 1500s, civil war weakens the empire.

17. The Incabuilt a vast empire supported by taxes, governed by a bureaucracy, and linked by extensive road systems. • The Inca system of government was similar to some socialistgovernments in the 20th century.

18. The Inca build a vast empire. • Subject peoples kept their rulersand customs. • Economicactivity was controlled • Extensive road system built • Empire’s units ruled by central Bureaucracy • Single official language used • Incan schoolsfounded • Incan cities were built in conqueredlands