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The Americas

Explore the dynamic history of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations between 600-1450 CE, with a focus on the Toltecs and their influence on subsequent cultures like the Aztecs. The Toltecs, known for their crafts and large urban center Tula, were mythologized and played a key role in the region's early history. Discover the Aztec Empire's tribute system, social stratification, and foundations in Tenochtitlan. Delve into the Inca civilization's agricultural organization, labor systems, and monumental architecture, tracing the interconnectedness of these great civilizations.

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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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