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.
Olmecs were located in Modern Day Mexico.
Olmec (1200-400 BC) One of the earliest civilization in the Americas Major City: La Venta First major civilization in Mexico to use ballgames in the Americas the first complex civilization in Mesoamerica
Olmec (1200-400 BC) One of the earliest civilization in the Americas Major City: La Venta 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 Known for their creation of colossal stone heads of their rulers
Mayan (200B.C-900 A.D.) were influenced by the Olmec 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 located in the rain forest region of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mesoamerica
Mayan (200B.C-900 A.D.) Built the pyramid at Chichen Itza Image to the right is the Mayan Calendar
Mayan Advancements Mayans made great advancements Mathematics building temples Calendars medicine Used astronomy to decide when to plant crops Mayan Numerals
Aztec Empire (1400-1521 A.D.) central Mexico capital was Tenochtitlan built pyramids polytheistic Located near modern day Mexico City
Aztec Empire (1400-1521 A.D.) Came as nomads and settled in central Mexico near lakes with fertile soil Settled down after discovering how to irrigate. reclaimed swampland so that they could farm
Aztec Empire (1400-1521 A.D.) Formed alliances, built cities: The Capital had a population of 400,000 people Well known leader - Montezuma The arrival of Cortes (Spanish) spelled the end of the Aztec Empire) built a powerful and wealthy empire by militarily conquering other tribes and making alliances
Aztec Empire (1400-1521 A.D.) After the fall of the Mayan civilization, many previous Mayan cities and areas came under the control of the Aztecs, such as the city of Tenochtitlan.
Inca (1460-1532) Settled in a fertile valley conquered the western coast of South America Successful in uniting the empire through a common imperial language Lived mostly in the Andes mountains agricultural success because of terrace farming.
Inca (1460-1532) Established empire through military and diplomatic means An extensive network of roads - linked its territories During an Incan civil war, Pizarro (Spanish) was able to defeat the splintered empire European diseases,such as smallpox killed more Indians than guns did.
Incan Civilization was located in Modern Day Peru
b. Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.
Government Mayans Independent city-states with large urban areas ruled by a king/priest. Power gained through hereditary means. Aztecs Had a central emperor with regional rulers who paid tribute to the emperor. Incas Led by a king with the empire divided into units. All towns were connected to the capital by roads. Citizens expected to work a certain number of days for the state. Officials would move entire communities to spread Incan ideals and promote unity
Economy Mayans Aztecs Incas Based on agriculture and trade (salt, feathers, jade) could feed a large population because of their complex irrigation systems. Artisans the largest social class Based on agriculture and trade. Goods paid as tributes from conquered peoples. cotton cloth and cacao beans used as money Based on trade and farming (used terrace farming) All lacked large pack animals - made trade more difficult
Religion Mayans Aztecs Incas Central to Mayan life. Polytheistic. Centered on worship of the gods and their activities - believed related to cosmic events. Some human sacrifice - mainly worshiped through prayer and assorted offerings. Central to Aztec life. Worshiped multiple gods. Large scale human sacrifice to the Sun God. **caused increase warfare Ancestor worship with human sacrifice on special occasions **believed in mummification and after life
Arts Mayans Aztecs Incas Developed a religious calendar based on astronomy and an advanced writing system. Carved jade, built pyramids. Built pyramids. Paintings and pottery were usually religious or war based in theme. used turquoise, jade, and other precious stones to create religious masks Worked metal, pottery and cloth
Similarities Both the Mayans and the Aztecs inhabited parts of the American continents Both the Mayans and the Aztecs were polytheistic Mayans, Incans, and Aztecs all formed long distance trade routes