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Aztec & Incas

Aztec & Incas. Lake Texcoco Capital: Tenochtitlan. Aztec Politics. Emperor had absolute power Claimed he was a descendent of God Formed Triple Alliance with two other city-states & created a large empire Conquered cities paid tribute but they had independence. Aztec Religion.

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Aztec & Incas

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  1. Aztec & Incas

  2. Lake Texcoco Capital: Tenochtitlan

  3. Aztec Politics • Emperor had absolute power • Claimed he was a descendent of God • Formed Triple Alliance with two other city-states & created a large empire • Conquered cities paid tribute but they had independence

  4. Aztec Religion • Aztec ruler claimed he was a descendent of God • Believed in many Gods (over 1,000) • Supreme God = Ometeotl • Sun God = Huitzilopochtli • Rain God = Tlaloc • Quetzalcoatl = creation, virtue & learning

  5. Aztec Religion: Sacrifice Religion based on a belief: World was an unending struggle between the forces of good and evil Led to the destruction of four worlds or suns

  6. Aztec Military • Outstanding warriors- tried to bring surrounding cities under control

  7. Built temples, other public buildings, houses Built three main causeways (raised roads) Built an aqueduct to bring water from spring 4 miles away Tenochtitlan = an urban center built on marsh land Aztec Education

  8. Aztec Education “Floating gardens” – chinampas- farm plots built on the fringe of the lake

  9. Aztec Education Aztec Calendar

  10. Aztec Relationship with Foreigners • Cortes marched to Tenochtitlan with 500 soldiers and 16 horses • As he went, he made alliances with city states that were sick of Aztec rule • Received warm welcome from Moctezuma • Spanish held Moctezuma hostage and pillaged the city • In 1520- the locals revolted and drove the Spanish from the city • Cortes received fresh soldiers from allies- 50,000 alone from Tlaxcala

  11. Incan Empire

  12. Incan Empire

  13. Incan Politics • A highly centralized state – capital Cuzco • Boundaries extended from Ecuador, central Chile and the edge of the Amazon basin (12 million people) • Divided the empire into 4 quarters- each ruled by a governor • These were divided into provinces- each also ruled by a governor (governors were usually related to the royal family) • At the top of the system= emperor

  14. Incan Religion • Believed emperor was a direct descendent of the sun • Had less Gods than the Aztecs

  15. Incan Military • Under the leadership of Pachakuti- the Incas launched a campaign of conquest that brought all under their control • Built 24,800 miles of roads- for official and military purposes • All young men required to serve in the 200,000 person Incan army • Incan state built on war • Local leaders could keep posts as long as they were loyal to the Incan emperor • To encourage loyalty- children of local leaders taken hostage

  16. Quechua = language Had no writing system but kept records using a series of knotted strings called quipu Developed court theater Poetry recited Incan Education

  17. Incan Relationships with Foreigners • Dec. 1530 Francisco Pizarro landed with 180 men and firearms • Incans fell victim to small pox • When emperor died- his two sons claimed the throne = civil war • When one son (Atahualpa) defeated his brother, Pizarro captured Atahualpa • By 1535 Pizarro established a new capital @ Lima

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