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The Americas

The Americas. 600-1450. Toltec (900 AD – 1200 AD). Had own writing system Scientists have not deciphered Mythologized as great, tall, good-looking people Quetazalcoatl vs. Tezcatlipoca Possessed a modest state. 950-1150 Toltecs build Tula. Associated with fall of Teotithuacan

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The Americas

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  1. The Americas 600-1450

  2. Toltec (900 AD – 1200 AD) • Had own writing system • Scientists have not deciphered • Mythologized as great, tall, good-looking people • Quetazalcoatl vs. Tezcatlipoca • Possessed a modest state

  3. 950-1150 Toltecs build Tula • Associated with fall of Teotithuacan • Quetzalcoatl • By 1100 CE was largest urban center in Mesoamerica • @ 10 sq kilometers; 35,000 people • Center for crafts • Long-distance trade • Influenced Maya • Destroyed in 1150 CE and center of power in the region shifts

  4. Aztecs • Originally northern people with clan-based organization • Take advantage of fall of Toltecs

  5. Aztec social contract • Social stratification pronounced • Human sacrifice • Some area left independent to create war/human sacrifice • Religion and ideology of conquest • Worshipped large number of gods incl. Huitzilopochtli 1325-1519 build Tenochtitlan: The Foundation of Heaven • Arrived in Valley of Mexico in 1325 • Grew on reclaimed swampland • Thousands transported for forced labor and human sacrifice

  6. Tenochtitlan: The Foundation of Heaven

  7. Aztec Economy • Tribute System • Chinampas • Merchants operated all markets • Merchants distance from and subordinate to elite traded long-distance • State controlled all trade

  8. Maya • Were a civilization • Agriculturally dependent • State religion • Great art style • Architecture • Formal legal system • Sophisticated writing system • Not unified: series of warring city-states

  9. Maya • Women • Central role in politics • Lady Wak-Chanil-Ahaw • Unity cultural, not political • Urban culture • King – commoner social structure

  10. Maya (continued) • Religion • Universal deities • Local gods • Sacrifice (see bloodletting pic) • Trade • salt • obsidian • Basalt

  11. Andes - - > Inca • Four ecological zones • Coast • Mountain valleys • Higher Elevations • Amazon region • Goods were exchanged through a network of trade routes

  12. 1200-1230 Founding of Incan State • Manco Capac consults Inti • “big ears” • Moved to Cuzco • Married daughters of elites to weaker groups • Capac – aligned with sun god

  13. Inca – political and economic organization • Emperor almost considered a god • Empire divided into four great provinces each ruled by a governor • Priests and noblemen influenced politics • Left local rulers in place • Economy based on agriculture • Allyu – agricultural village • Mit’a labor system

  14. Inca – social organization • Small communities aimed at self-sufficiency • Men and women had gender-specific, but virtually equal jobs • Men: hunting, war, government • Women: wove, cared for crops and the home • Developed strong professional military • Split inheritance • Property passed though men and women • Women did not serve as head of ayllus • Some women forced into concubinage or given to temples • No distinct merchant class

  15. Incan cultural achievement • Did not introduce new technology, but made efficient use of existing technologies • Proficient metallurgists • Used quipus • Developed monumental architecture and roads

  16. Coastal South America: Chimu(600 CE – 1470 CE) • Come after Moche • Built irrigation and water storage • Capital: Chan Chan (see photo) • 10 Royal compounds • Built admin. Centers are far South as Lima, Peru

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