Ch. 11: The Americas on the Eve of Invasion

Mayan civilization: Sprang from the Olmecs Located in the Mexican and Central American rain forests Represented by Chichén Itzá Groups of city-states ruled by kings Economy based on agriculture and trade Polytheistic religion: Pyramids

Postclassical Mesoamerica, CE The Toltecs were a nomadic people that occupied central and southern Mexico The Toltecs were a nomadic people that occupied central and southern Mexico They developed a large empire lasting until ~ 1150 CE They developed a large empire lasting until ~ 1150 CE Developed a strong military ethic; human sacrifice prevalent Developed a strong military ethic; human sacrifice prevalent Seen as the ‘givers of civilization’ to the Aztecs Seen as the ‘givers of civilization’ to the Aztecs

Toltec influence spread over much of central Mexico Toltec influence spread over much of central Mexico The Aztecs were the successors to the Toltecs, organized into city-states The Aztecs were the successors to the Toltecs, organized into city-states Aztecs gained control of Lake Texcoco Aztecs gained control of Lake Texcoco Made their capital at Tenochtitlan in 1434 Made their capital at Tenochtitlan in 1434

The Aztec Social Contract Moctezuma II – Aztec leader who was representative of the gods on earth Moctezuma II – Aztec leader who was representative of the gods on earth Cult of human sacrifice and conquest united with political power of the ruler and nobility Cult of human sacrifice and conquest united with political power of the ruler and nobility Aztec power was based in warfare and sacrifice throughout its span Aztec power was based in warfare and sacrifice throughout its span

Religion & Economy Major deities included Tlaloc (god of rain) and Huitzilopochtli (a tribal god; sun god) Major deities included Tlaloc (god of rain) and Huitzilopochtli (a tribal god; sun god) Deities were devoted to agriculture, cities, warfare, sacrifice, and creators Deities were devoted to agriculture, cities, warfare, sacrifice, and creators Nezhualcoyotl (an Aztec king) promoted monotheism, but it did not last Nezhualcoyotl (an Aztec king) promoted monotheism, but it did not last Agriculture was the basis of society Agriculture was the basis of society Chinampas (beds of weeds, mud, earth) formed floating islands Chinampas (beds of weeds, mud, earth) formed floating islands Special merchant class called pochteca emerged Special merchant class called pochteca emerged

Aztec Society in Transition As the empire grew, a new social hierarchy arose As the empire grew, a new social hierarchy arose Calpulli (kinship based clans) of social organization were dominant Calpulli (kinship based clans) of social organization were dominant Loosely associated clans became a single stratified society Loosely associated clans became a single stratified society Rights of Aztec women were recognized, but roles remained subordinate Rights of Aztec women were recognized, but roles remained subordinate Lack of technology meant women spent most time hand- grinding maize (corn staple crop) Lack of technology meant women spent most time hand- grinding maize (corn staple crop) Aztec population may have been ~ 20 million! Aztec population may have been ~ 20 million!

A Tribute Empire Each city-state was ruled by a speaker, chosen from nobility Each city-state was ruled by a speaker, chosen from nobility Subject city-states were similar throughout the empire Subject city-states were similar throughout the empire They were often left unchanged if they recognized Aztec supremacy and met obligations They were often left unchanged if they recognized Aztec supremacy and met obligations Expansion and conquest created a highly stratified society Expansion and conquest created a highly stratified society Aztec view of history included cyclical patterns Aztec view of history included cyclical patterns Repetitive destruction and re-birth Repetitive destruction and re-birth

World of the Incas The Incas achieved a high level of integration and domination The Incas achieved a high level of integration and domination Coastal empire of Chimor preceded the Incas Coastal empire of Chimor preceded the Incas Their leader was Pachacuti Their leader was Pachacuti Successors were called Twantinsuyu Successors were called Twantinsuyu Incan empire spread from modern-day Chile to northern Argentina Incan empire spread from modern-day Chile to northern Argentina

Conquest and Religion Incas adopted practice of royal split inheritance Incas adopted practice of royal split inheritance All political power went to successor All political power went to successor Palaces, wealth, land, possessions went to sons Palaces, wealth, land, possessions went to sons System required new land and wealth in order to function System required new land and wealth in order to function Temple of the Sun at Cuzco (the capital) was center of religious life Temple of the Sun at Cuzco (the capital) was center of religious life

Inca Imperial Rule Incas developed state run bureaucracy headed by an Inca (king) and regional governors (curacas) Incas developed state run bureaucracy headed by an Inca (king) and regional governors (curacas) Spread their language (Quechua) Spread their language (Quechua) Built extensive road networks (Inca Trail) Built extensive road networks (Inca Trail) Dotted with Tambos (way stations) Dotted with Tambos (way stations) Empire demanded mita (mandatory labor) Empire demanded mita (mandatory labor) Local clans were called ayllus Local clans were called ayllus Yanas were people living outside clans Yanas were people living outside clans

Cultural Achievements Cultural achievements included: Cultural achievements included: beautiful pottery, art, and metalworking beautiful pottery, art, and metalworking The quipu (knotted strings to record numerical information) The quipu (knotted strings to record numerical information) Land and water management (farming terraces) Land and water management (farming terraces) Extensive road and message system (Inca Trail) Extensive road and message system (Inca Trail) Architecture Architecture

Comparing Incas and Aztecs Incan and Aztec empires are best viewed as variations of similar patterns and processes Incan and Aztec empires are best viewed as variations of similar patterns and processes Sedentary agriculture was most important Sedentary agriculture was most important Systems of belief and social structure were complex Systems of belief and social structure were complex Both developed independently of each other and other societies Both developed independently of each other and other societies Aztecs had an extensive merchant class, the Incas did not Aztecs had an extensive merchant class, the Incas did not

Achievements of Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations Calendars Mathematics Writing and other record-keeping systems

The Other Indians Diversity of Mesoamerica challenges ideas of human development based on Old World (European) examples Diversity of Mesoamerica challenges ideas of human development based on Old World (European) examples Population figures are difficult, but estimates from 1500 = ~ same as Europe Population figures are difficult, but estimates from 1500 = ~ same as Europe million people million people Most Mesoamerican societies were strongly kin-based Most Mesoamerican societies were strongly kin-based Mesoamerica contained wide variety of societies Mesoamerica contained wide variety of societies Large civilizations with millions to small bands of hunters Large civilizations with millions to small bands of hunters Religion played a dominant role in defining in relationship of people, environment, individuals and society Religion played a dominant role in defining in relationship of people, environment, individuals and society

Review: Did societies in the Americas during the post-classical period have much contact with other societies from the Old World or the West? Did societies in the Americas during the post-classical period have much contact with other societies from the Old World or the West? The Toltec empire lasted until roughly what date? The Toltec empire lasted until roughly what date? Who were the people that succeeded the Toltecs? Who were the people that succeeded the Toltecs? What was the name of the Aztec capital, established around 1325 CE? What was the name of the Aztec capital, established around 1325 CE?

Review Cont: What year did Tenochtitlan emerge as the dominant force in its region? What year did Tenochtitlan emerge as the dominant force in its region? What was the Aztec view of history? What was the Aztec view of history? What was the name of clans (kinship based) in Aztec society? What was the name of clans (kinship based) in Aztec society? Define Inca Socialism. Define Inca Socialism.

Review Cont: Where was the capital of the Inca empire located? Where was the capital of the Inca empire located? What was the name of the first Inca ruler? What was the name of the first Inca ruler? What primary societal trait did the Aztecs have that the Incas did not have? What primary societal trait did the Aztecs have that the Incas did not have? A large merchant class A large merchant class

Review Cont: Describe the Inca practice of split inheritance. Describe the Inca practice of split inheritance. What were Tambos? What were Tambos?