2. The Aztec and Mayan form of writing was known as hieroglyphics. This is a form of graphic writing, using signs and symbols, (hieroglyphs), instead of letters, as we do.

3. Although the Mayan farmer grew a variety of crops, corn, known as maize was its most important crop.

4. A Census is an official count of all people living in an area. Quipu was a knotted string used by the Incas as a method of keeping records _____ 3,643

5. Aqueduct A combination of bridges and tunnels, using stone pipes which would bring water from rivers to people a few hundred miles away. The Inca built great aqueducts (bridges and tunnels to transport water) in order to bring water into their villages from the mountaintops.

6. A wave of Spanish conquistadors (conquerors) in the early 1500s disrupted and destroyed many nations native to the Americas. Conqueror, defeater

7. Hernan Cortes, a conquistador, arrived in Mexico, and found many of the Aztecs were willing to assist him overtake Moctezuma. The Spanish and Aztec enemies formed alliances.

8. Alliances Agreement in which people cooperate for a common reason Some nations or people form alliances in which they have an agreement or truce to look out for and protect each other. In the case of the Aztec neighboring tribes, they formed alliances with the Spanish to defeat the Aztec nation. The Aztec were not kind to their neighbors forcing many into slavery or human sacrifice.

9. It only took 15 years for the Spanish to defeat 2 powerful empires in America (Aztec and Incan Empires). The Spanish brought many diseases to America, which the Native Americans had never experienced, nor the immunities to protect them. Immunities are defense or resistance to diseases.

10. The Inca were fighting a civil war (a war within a nation) in the 1520s, which allowed the Spanish to easily defeat them. Civil War Civil War A war fought between 2 groups of same nation/civilization A war fought between two groups within the same nation/civilization

11. Empire Different groups of people ruled by one leader or government Much like ancient Rome, the Aztec built an empire (expanding nation) in which they conquered other Natives Americans and took their land and resources.

12. Exploit To take advantage of someone However, Cortez exploited (took advantage of) the natives that helped his own needs of waging war against the Aztec. Afterwards, he enslaved them.

13. Snake it easy! And study your words!