Before Contact with Europeans

Before Contact with Europeans

Introduction Migration to the Americas Early migrations from northern Asia to Alaska occurred 35,000 to 15,000 years ago Some contact with Polynesians possible Geography Great geographical diversity frozen regions, tropical rain forests, vast plains, heavily forested areas, and high mountain ranges Made farming impossible in some areas Long distance between arable areas made contact between groups difficult Two main areas of agriculture Mesoamerica- Mexico and Central America Andean Mountain region along the west coast of S. America

Olmecs

Early American Civilizations Olmecs (1200-400 BCE) Society Authoritarian and Hierarchial Priestly class Ruler and his family Artisans and merchants Labor class Political Form of kingship Giant sculptures of heads. Evidence of power of the ruling family. Fall was due to internal conflict

Early American Civilizations Olmecs Cultural SEE MAYANS!! Economic Agricultural-based economy No large beasts of burden (horse, oxen) No wheeled vehicles Human labor did all the work - BUT: Built elaborate drainage systems Traded various products salt, cacao, clay and limestone Developed religious centers which grew into city-states

Chavin

Early American Civilizations Chavin (900 250 BCE) Social Hierarchal Ruler and his family Priestly class Artisans and merchants Commoners Political Empires were created to control 3 ecological zones (coastal plains, mountain valleys, and tropical rain forests and connecting trade routes) Some evidence of irrigation projects and organized military Shows political power of the central government

Early American Civilizations Chavin Cultural Chavin religion spread to other areas, perhaps Meso-America Economic Chavin capital, Chavin de Huantar was situated along long distance trade routes Trade between west coast of S. America and Andes mountain region Agriculture-based economy Used llamas to carry things up and down the mountains

Mayan Empire

Classical American Civilizations Maya (300-900 CE) Social Rigid and strict classes Political Rulers performed both priestly and political functions Rulers NOT divine but able to communicate with gods and ancestor spirits Fall of the Mayan Empire Around 800 CE Mayan population moved out of cities which soon fell into decline - No evidence as to why possible explanations include foreign invasion, civil war, disease

Classical American Civilizations Maya Cultural Religion Polytheistic Some rituals called for human sacrifice - Victims were prisoners of war Mayan priests constructed very advanced calendar for religious ceremonies, planting/harvesting crops Economic Agriculture-based economy Practiced slash and burn agriculture Also built terraced fields along the river banks Cities built large cities Primarily religious and administrative cities

Classical American Civilizations Maya Economic Cities (cont.) Little trade conducted within the cities Included large pyramids, houses for the elite, ritual ball courts Memorial alters and pillars - To honor great actions of leaders - Inscribed with pictograms (similar to hieroglyphics)

Classical American Civilizations Teotihuacan (300-750 CE) Social Priests were an important part of the elite class Political Teotihuacan was the name of the capital city City was well planned Evidence of group of powerful families ruling cooperatively Cultural See Aztecs!!

Teotihuacan

Classical American Civilizations Teotihuacan Economic Agriculture-based economy Irrigation produced abundance of crops Trade Unlike the Mayans, the Teotihuacan had a large class of professional merchants who traded their products

Toltecs

Post-Classical American Civilizations Toltecs (950-1150 CE) Social The priestly class was important part of the elite class Emphasis on military prowess Led to rise of an elite warrior class from which rulers would emerge Political Created an extensive Empire from Central Mexico to Yucatan Peninsula to Guatemala A strong militaristic legacy Allowed the Toltecs conquer or intimidate neighboring peoples Required tribute in the form of treasure, food, prisoners/slaves

Post-Classical American Civilizations Toltecs Political Had 2 rulers instead of 1, leading to internal conflicts Decline due to internal fragmentation Cultural Relied heavily on religious sacrifices to satisfy the gods

Post-Classical American Civilizations Toltecs Economic Agriculture-based economy The exchange of turquoise with people in the American Southwest Tributary payment from surrounding areas was a large part of the Toltec economy

Aztecs

Post-Classical Civilizations Aztecs Social Militaristic aristocrats headed the social structure Priests were advisors to the king and performed religious rituals Warrior class came from ordinary freemen who proved themselves in battle Merchant class conducted long-distance trade Serfs/Freemen Slaves mainly prisoners of war or debtors Women were subservient to men but those who bore warrior sons were given higher status

Post-Classical American Civilizations Aztecs Political Tenochtitlan was the capital city Emperor appointed military governors to rule over conquered peoples Empire stretched from Central Mexico to Guatemala Aztec military power - Led to tributary empire Conquered peoples had to pay tribute such as food, luxury goods, and prisoners

Post-Classical American Civilizations Aztecs Cultural Religion played an extremely important role in Aztec culture Large step pyramids Religion provided political legitimacy Human sacrifice practiced extensively - Victims were mainly prisoners of war

Post-Classical American Civilizations Aztecs Economic Agriculture-based economy Innovations include chinampas floating islands for growing food - Led to increase food production Tribute system Gov t controlled the distribution of tribute to the population noble class received the majority and commoners received much less Long-distance trade Traded for luxury goods with neighboring peoples Carried by slaves or serfs because there were no beasts of burden

Inca Empire

Post-Classical American Civilizations Incas (1100-1540 CE) Social INCA (Emperor) was on top Aristocratic class served emperor as advisors and governors Priests Warrior class Peasants organized into communities Patriarchal but women did have the ability to inherit property

Post-Classical American Civilizations Incas Political Cuzco was the capital The Inca/Emperor owned all property and the commoners worked for the Inca Mit a system = all commoners owed required labor to the state for a certain number of months each year, to build temples, roads, etc. The Inca/Emperor controlled the empire with: Vast and powerful military Extensive network of roads Alliances were made with neighboring rulers who swore allegiance to the Inca and were allowed to keep their ruling positions

Post-Classical American Civilizations Incas Cultural Religion played an important role in the Inca Empire Temples were built for religious rituals Human sacrifice was practiced but NOT as much or as frequently as the Aztecs - Victims were mainly prisoners of war or as tribute given by neighboring peoples The Incas had no written language Relied on system of knots (quipu)

Post-Classical American Civilizations Incas Economic Agriculture-based economy Innovations included terraced farming to utilize the mountains Agricultural surplus was owned by the state and stored in state storehouses - For use in times of shortages or famine Mit a system created a more socialized economy people didn t own property but instead worked for the good of the Inca people No distinct merchant class Long distance trade was LESS important than the Aztecs due to self-sufficiency and state regulation of production and surplus