Early Civilizations in the Americas

1. Early Civilizations in the Americas

2. Olmec -Meso-america – where we see the first civilizations -Olmec civilization - 1200BC -First known civilization -Thrived from 800-400 BC -Modern day Veracruz and Tabasco -Jungles of Southern Mexico -Got up to 100 inches of rain each year -Had a lot of influence on surrounding civilizations as well as future civilizations -San Lorenzo – most prominent city – Have found large stone sculptures -15 remain -Weigh over 40 tons each -La Venta– another prominent city – more of a ceremonial center -Religion that worshipped a god that was part jaguar and part human -Society collapsed around 400 BC – don’t know why – outside invaders?

3. Meso-america

4. Maya and Toltec Maya 300-900 AD Yucatan peninsula -Southern Mexico to northern Central America -Used a lot of Olmec influences -Warrior state - Mostly farmers however -Tikal – city – major center in northern Guatemala -Each city was independent and ruled by a different “god-king” – linked through trade and alliances -Maya cities featured great temples and pyramids dedicated to their gods and important rulers -Several thousand people lived in residential areas surrounding the city center – Sedentary society Religion was very influential - polytheistic -Human sacrifice – Ball Courts, Calendar system, Numerical system – concept of zero, Hieroglyphic writing system -Maya Decline – in the late 800’s, the Maya abandoned many of their cities, the Toltec people from the north moved down – many believe that the Maya had become weak because of fighting amongst themselves

5. Yucatan Peninsula

6. Aztec -Valley of Mexico – modern day Mexico City -Had a lot of small city-states that had survived the collapse of Toltec rule -About 1200 AD the Aztecs move in -Aztecs (Mexica) – were a poor, nomadic people from harsh deserts in northern Mexico -Aztecs increase their strength over the years -Triple Alliance – they joined up with the Texcoco and Tlacopan people – became the leading power in the Valley of Mexico -By the early 1500’s their empire covered 80,000 square miles -Divided into 38 provinces and had a population of 5 to 15 million people -Based their power on military conquest and tribute they gained from their conquered subjects -Military leaders held great power in Aztec society -Tenochtitlan – by 1500’s it had become and extraordinary urban center – located on Lake Texacoco-population between 200,000 and 400,000 – larger than London or any other European city at this time -Decline: - 1502 – Montezuma II was crowned Emperor – called for even more tribute and sacrifice -A lot of provinces rose up against Aztec oppression – began a rebellion -Montezuma II tried to lessen the pressure by lowering his demands but resentment was still there

7. Tenochtitlan

8. Inca -Empire spread from Ecuador in the north to Chile in the south -Originally lived in a high plateau of the Andes – settled in the Valley of Cuzco -By 1200s – established their own small kingdom -Believed Inca ruler was a descendant from the sun god - Inti -Kingdom grew slowly at first -In 1438 – Pachacuti took the throne – Inca conquered all of Peru and then moved into neighboring lands – powerful military – used force only when necessary – offered an “honorable surrender” -By 1500 – Inca empire stretched 2,500 miles along the western coast of South America - “Land of Four Quarters” – included 80 provinces and was home to 16 million people -Spread of Incan language – Quechua -Huge labor projects -Irrigation systems, brides, roads, fortresses -System of runners to carry important messages -Arrival of the Spanish -Death of the Incan emperor – Huayna Capac – most likely by small pox -Civil war between successors – Capac’s sons -Defeated by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizzaro in 1530

9. Inca Territory