The Americas on the Eve of Invasion

1. The Americas on the Eve of Invasion Chapter 11 Outline/Summary

2. Chapter Summary • American societies remained isolated from other cultures • They organized highly developed • Agriculture system • Urban living • Political units • Columbus mistaken designation of the Americas as Indians implies a non-existent common identity Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

3. There was great diversity of cultures • Few major civilizations • Meso-America—central Mexico • The Andes Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

4. Post-Classic Meso-America 1000 to 1500 • In the 8th century with the abandonment of the Mayan cities, caused political and cultural changes • The Toltecs, who were nomadic built a large empire in central Mexico • They established a capital at Tula in 968 • They adopted many cultural ideals from Sedentary peoples • The Aztecs were the successors Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

5. The Toltec Heritage • They created a large empire reaching beyond central Mexico • By 1000 they had extended to the Yucatan area and former Mayan regions in South America • They had commercial contacts within North America • In the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys • Very few artifacts were left behind Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

6. The Aztec Rise to Power • Toltec empire collapsed around 1150, most likely to nomadic invasions • They center of power shifted to the valley of Mexico and its large chain of lakes • Used for agriculture, fishing and transportation • It became the cultural center of Mexico • At first the region was divided politically, • The Aztecs migrated to the region in the 14th century Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

7. The Aztec Rise to Power • By 1325 they founded the cities around the Tlateloco lakes • By 1434 they became the dominate regional power. Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

8. The Aztec Social Contact • The Aztecs changed the culture from a clan based society to a stratified society under powerful ruler. • Aztecs developed a self-image as a people chosen to serve the gods. • Human sacrifice was used and expanded • War captives • It was also used as a terror method to insure political domination Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

9. Religion and the Ideology of Conquest • In the Aztec religion little difference was made between the world of the gods and natural order • There were 100’s of gods, both male and female • They controlled things such as agricultural cycles, warrior, night. • The sun god became the most powerful, it drew strength from the human sacrifice Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

10. Religion and the Ideology of Conquest • The Aztecs spread the idea of human sacrifice throughout the region of Mesoamerican • Religion covered every aspect of human life Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

11. Feeding the People: The Economy • Agriculture depended on traditional forms and innovations • Conquered peoples gave food as tribute • Peasant production and tribute supplied basic foods • Merchants had great markets to sell their products • The economy was a mixed economy Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

12. A Tribute Empire • Aztec City-states were ruled by a speaker chosen by the nobility • The speaker held vast power • There were lesser offices and a “counsel” but they lacked power • For conquered peoples, if they paid their tribute, they were left alone, if not they were ruthlessly made to pay. • Main goal was to have political domination not direct control Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

13. World of the Incas • During the period of 500 to 1000 CE regional states dominated the Andes region • Some were centers of agriculture and others had large populations • Warfare played a huge role • State of Chimor emerged as the most powerful controlling most of present day Peru. Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

14. Conquest and Religion • There were other reasons for conquest besides the usual, • The rulers had “split inheritance” • The rulers political power went to the successor • The wealth went to male decedents • This system caused the need to have endless expansion • The Incas were sun worshipers, and it was the most powerful god. Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

15. Inca Imperial Rule • They considered the rulers near gods. • Nobles served as the bureaucracy • Local rulers continued in office in return for loyalty • Complex system roads, bridges helped the movement of the military • Conquered people supplied land and labor • Local resources were redistributed from conquered people Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

16. Comparing Incas and Aztecs • They excelled in imperial and military organizations • Agriculture was organized by the state • Nobility was the personnel of the state • The differences were mostly climate and geography • Aztecs developed more trade avenues Chapter 11 Summary/Outline

17. Conclusion • Two great imperial systems were created in Mesoamerica and the Andes • By the end of the 15th century the militaristic states were in the edge of failure • Internal strains, technological inferiority were main factors • Societies ranged from great civilizations to small bands of hunters • European invasions disrupted all of the civilizations. Chapter 11 Summary/Outline