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SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America. a. Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca empires. The Olmecs. Mesoamerica’s first known civilization. Often called the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica.
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SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.
a. Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca empires.
The Olmecs • Mesoamerica’s first known civilization. • Often called the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica. • Emerged about 1200 BC and thrived from 800-400 BC. • Lived along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, near modern-day Veracruz and Tobasco.
Olmec (1200-400 BC) • Settled along rivers with good soil for agriculture • Farming led to the development of towns • The Empire ended due to changes in the soil which led to under production of crops
Olmec geography • Had abundant deposits of salt, tar, and clay. • Hills provided hard stone for tools and monuments. • Rivers provided transportation. • Flood plains provided fertile land for farming.
Olmec religion and trade • Worshipped the jaguar spirit, which represented earth, fertility, and maize. • Olmec goods reached as far Mexico City to the north and Honduras in the south. • Outside invaders are probably the cause for Olmec decline.
Olmec • Know for their creation of colossal stone heads of their rulers
Mayan (200B.C-900 A.D.) • The Mayan were influenced by the Omlec • They built independent cities linked by trade and military alliances • War between the city-states, disruption of trade, and over farming may have caused the down fall of the Mayan
The Maya • Flourished from 250-900. • Consisted of a collection of city-states, ruled by a god-king and serving as a center for religion and trade. • Cities featured pyramids, temples, and palaces.
Mayan agriculture and economy • Cities exchanged local products such as salt, flint, feathers, shells, and honey. • Also traded craft goods like cotton and jade. • Chocolate (cacao) may have been a currency. • Maize, beans, squash were dietary staples.
Mayan religion • Monotheistic • Made offerings, pierced and cut their bodies, and used human sacrifice. • Developed sophisticated and accurate calendars to worship gods and predict weather and other celestial events.
Mayan decline • In the late 800’s, the Mayan abandoned their cities. • The Toltec's eventually moved in and took over the land. • City-states may have fought each other over control.
Aztec Empire (1400-1521 A.D.) • Came as nomads and settled in central Mexico near lakes with fertile soil • Formed alliances, built cities: The Capital had a population of 200-400,000 people
The Aztecs- geography • The Mexica united with the Texcoco and Tlacopan to form the Aztec. • By 1500 they controlled a vast empire that covered 80,000 square miles form central Mexico to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Aztec religion • Monotheistic • Worshipped the Toltec god, Quetzalcoatl, which was the symbol for wind, death, and rebirth. • Had public ceremonies to win gods favor. • Used human sacrifice on a grand scale.
Aztec decline • Spanish colonization • The arrival of Cortes spelled the end of the Aztec Empire
Inca (1460-1532) • Settled in a fertile valley , and then proceed to conquer the western coast of South America • Established empire through military and diplomatic means
The Inca • Ancestors settled in the Valley of Cuzco, which became their leading city. • Empire stretched along the western coast of South America and consisted of about 16 million people.
Inca trade and expansion • Had a powerful military, but only used in when necessary. • Created an efficient road system and developed one language, Quechua. • All roads led to Cuzco.
Inca religion • Incan priests led sun-worship services assisted by the “virgins of the sun”. • Sacrifice of llamas and exchange of goods were part of religious ceremonies. • The Temple of Cuzco was the most sacred shrine.
Incan decline • Civil war after the death of Huayna Capac. • Atahualpa won claim to the entire empire. • Pizarro (Spanish) was able to defeat the splintered empire • Spanish colonization
b. Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.
Mayan government • Maya king sat at the top of the social structure. • He was regarded as a holy figure, and his position was hereditary.
Maya economy • Cities exchanged local products such as salt, flint, feathers, shells, and honey. • They also traded craft goods like cotton textiles and jade ornaments.
Maya religion • Maya worshipped their gods in many ways. • They prayed and made offerings of food, flowers, and incense. • They also pierced and cut their bodies and offered blood, believing this would nourish the gods. • Did have some human sacrifice.
Maya art • Created beautiful and monumental structures. • The most recognizable structures are the pyramids. • A stele is an inscribed or carved marker that is used to mark special dates.
Aztec government • The emperor was at the top of the social pyramid. • He would consult with top generals or officials, however his power was absolute. • He lived in a magnificent palace, surrounded by servants and wives.
Aztec economy • Based their power on military conquests. • Demanded tribute from conquered people in the form of gold, maize, cacao beans, cotton, jade, and other products. • If they did not pay, the Aztecs responded brutally.
Aztec religion • Worshipped the Toltec god, Quetzalcoatl. • Practices centered on public ceremonies designed to communicate with the gods. • Aztecs practiced human sacrifice on a grand scale.
Aztec art • The main structure in Tenochtitlan was the Great Temple, a giant pyramid. • The Aztec Sunstone measured 13 feet in diameter and weighed 24 tons. • It contains information about the days that began and ended the Aztec months.
Inca government • To control the huge empire, rulers divided their territory and its people into manageable units, governed by a local bureaucracy.
Inca religion • Worshipped fewer gods than the Aztecs. • Focused on key nature spirits such as the moon, the stars, and thunder. • Incan priests led sun-worship services, assisted by young women called mamakuna.
Inca economy • Incan state had control over economic and social life. • It controlled most economic activity, regulating the production and distribution of goods. • Built a extensive road system that tied the empire together.
