1. BELLWORK
Today, we are going to focus on Medieval Mesoamerica and the three civilizations that dominated the region: Maya, Inca & Aztec.
Read pgs and answer the following:
Describe the background of Mayan civilization (when, where, peak, city-states, etc.)
Explain the Mayan religion. How did they worship their gods?
What advances did the Mayans make in science?
What advances did the Mayans make in writing?
Why did Mayan civilization collapse?

2. Unit 2 Reminders Today: Mesoamerican Empires
Tuesday: Finish Aztec vs. Inca
Wednesday: ½ day – study guide work
Thursday/Friday: Unit 2 Short Answer
Study Guide work
Monday 11/7: Unit 2 Multiple Choice
Study guide due
All late/missing work due

3. Ruins in Telum, Mexico

4. Ruins in Coba, Mexico (Cancun)

11. Native American Empires
The Mayan collapse started in the 900’s AD, but by 1300, there was no trace left.
From the 1300s to the 1500s, two powerful civilizations ruled areas of Mexico, Central & South America:
The Aztec and Inca
Both were late-comers to power, but within 200 years they transformed themselves into huge empires.
They developed highly centralized governments, became productive farmers, builders, and artisans.

13. Aztec vs. Inca
In your notes, create a chart for the two civilizations.
Read pgs
Aztec
Inca
Rise to Power
Describe Empire
Gov. & Society
Religion
Decline

14. No bellwork today!
Spend the first part of class finishing your Aztec/Inca notes, working on your study guide or preparing for the short answer

15. Aztec
Ancient civilization made up of nomadic hunters and warriors who migrated into central Mexico in 1200s.
Capital – Tenochtitlan
Their capital was an agricultural center and marketplace (caused increase in population)
Used chinampas: artificial islands for farming
A network of canals and bridges connected the mainland with the capital city.
At the center of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec built impressive pyramids, temples, and palaces.

19. Aztec
The Aztec expanded their empire by making good alliances and conquering rivals.
Their civilization was organized as a hierarchy: divisions based on authority.
Emperor, nobility, commoners, serfs, and slaves
Religion was the most important: believed sacrifices made the gods happy.
Aztec civilization ended when Spanish forces invaded and conquered their land in 1521.

22. Inca
The Inca began as a small tribe competing for fertile land in the Andes.
Established Cuzco as their capital
In 1438, Pachacuti came to power.
He expanded the borders to include Peru, Chile, and parts of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

24. Inca
Pachacuti created a strong central government that allowed local rulers to control territories.
Established an imperial language called Quechua.
The Inca emperor regulated the lives of common people.
The Inca believed in many gods and had a variety of ceremonies to please them (human, animal, food sacrifices)
Inca civilization ended with the Spanish conquering South America in 1531.

27. Review How are the Aztec and Inca similar?
How are the Aztec and Inca different?

28. Julian Calendar correlation
2012 Phenomenon
Long Count
Julian Calendar correlation
August 11, 3114 BCE
November 13, 2720 BCE
February 16, 2325 BCE
May 21, 1931 BCE
August 23, 1537 BCE
November 26, 1143 BCE
February 28, 748 BCE
June 3, 354 BCE
September 5, 41 CE
December 9, 435
March 13, 830
June 15, 1224
September 18, 1618
December 21, 2012
March 26, 2407
June 28, 2801
October 1, 3195
January 3, 3590
April 7, 3984
July 11, 4378
October 13, 4772
12/21/12 is regarded as the end-date of a 5,125 year long cycle in the Mayan Long Count Calendar.
Others suggest that the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe. Scenarios suggested for the end of the world include the arrival of a solar maximum, or Earth's collision with an object such as a black hole, a passing asteroid, or a planet called “Nibiru”
Professional Mayan scholars state that predictions of collapse are NOT found in any of the classic Mayan accounts, and that the idea that the Long Count Calendar “ends” in 2012 “misrepresents Mayan history and culture.”
Most historians believe that this date marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one