1. Civilizations Of The Americas (1400B.C.-A.D.1570)
Key Facts:
Between A.D 300 and A.D. 900, Mayan civilization flourished from southern Mexico through Central America. In the 1400s, the Aztecs conquered most of Mexico and built a highly developed civilization.
By the 1500s, the Incas established a centralized government in Peru
Eight culture groups developed in north America. Their diverse ways of life were strongly influenced by geography.

2. First American Civilization
The Olmec's were the first American Civilization that began in the tropical forest along the Mexican Gulf coast.
They lasted from about 1400 B.C. to 500 B.C.

3. Civilizations of Middle America
Nomadic hunters who migrated across a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska gradually populated two vast continents.
Between 8500 B.C. and 2000 B.C., Neolithic people in Mexico or farther south began to raise crops and learned to tame animals.
Mayan city-states of Central America.
They cleared the rain forests to produce corn to feed their cities.
They were divided into social classes
Each city-state had a ruling chief
Priests held great power
Pyramid temples and palaces served as alters and burial places
Developed a hieroglyphic writing system and accurate calendar
Many people, today, speak Mayan languages in Central America
The Aztecs
Long after the decline of Mayan civilization, Aztecs conquered most of Mexico
By 1500, their empire numbered 30 million people.
War and power to the Aztecs brought wealth
Tribute helped the Aztecs turn their capital into a magnificent city.
Complex social structure
Single ruler or emperor at top
Priests performed rituals and sacrifices to please the Aztec gods
Conquered people supplied tribute and human sacrifices for religious rituals

4. The World Of The Incas
In the 1400’s the Incas came from the Andes mountains of Peru.
Led by Pachacuti, skilled warrior and leader
Conquered an empire that stretched 2,500 miles down the Andes and along Pacific Coast
By 1500s, they had established central government in Peru.
Ruled by a god-king and a powerful class of Priests
Incan Government
Emperor had absolute power
Ran an efficient Government
Chain of command reached to every village
Incan Achievements
Worked to unite conquered people
Had their own language, Quechua, and their own religion
Created one of the great road systems in history
Roads wound more than 12,000 miles through mountains and deserts

5. Peoples Of North America
The Anasazi
Best-known society of the desert southwest
The people built large villages, called pueblos by the Spanish people
At the center was the kiva
Late 1100s, they began to build housing complexes in the shadow of canyon walls
Late 1200s, drought forced them to leave the cliff dwellings.
Today, their traditions survive among the Hopi and other Pueblo Indians.
The Mound Builders
In the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys, other farming cultures emerged as early as 700 B.C.
Hopewell people left giant mounds in different shapes
Objects found in Hopewell mounds suggest that trade networks stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes.
By about A.D. 800, this culture was replaced by the Mississippians, who grew corn and other crops.
They built large towns and ceremonial centers.

6. Review
What was the first civilization in the Americas, it was in the Tropical Forests of Mexico? The Olmecs
What warrior tribe had conquered the valley of Mexico by the 1500s, and built its capital where Mexico City is located today? The Aztecs
What is a Tribute? Payment from conquered peoples.
Nomadic hunters came to North America across what? The Land Bridge
What civilization grew up in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, used flat top pyramids, and had an accurate calendar? Tourists still visit the pyramids built by this civilization. The Mayans
What is the name of the capital city that Mexico City sits on? Tenochtitlan
What Spanish Conquistador killed Montezuma and conquered the above civilization? Hernandez Cortez
What civilization grew up in the Andes Mountains of South America? Incas
What was the capital city of the above civilization in South America? Cuzco
What Spanish Conquistador defeated the civilization in South America? Francisco Pizarro