The Maya, Aztec and Inca Civilizations

The Maya

Developed in Mesoamerica around 1000BC AROUND the same times as the Greeks Used: Slash and Burn Agriculture a method of farming that involves burning vegetation to clear land for farming. Rain was plentyfull! Trade and agriculture helped support large populations…villages turn into cities.

Cities and Government Classical Age: AD 250-900 built great cities like Tikal and Copan City-states: each had its own ruler and government. the city states were never truly united but were linked through trade (cotton, rubber) and warfare: they would fight each other to try and gain land/resources. NOTE – This is between the time of the Split of the Roman Empire and its Fall

Society and Religion Believed that kings communicated with the gods, performed rituals to keep gods happy, offered blood to the gods by piercing tongue or skin. Upper Class: priests, warriors Middle Class: merchants and skilled craftsman Lower Class: farmers and slaves

Achievements Impressive architecture including pyramids and canals Made advancements in :astronomy, math and writing Glyphs: writing system, represents both objects and sound, carved into stone monuments

Decline around AD 900 History is not clear but scholars believe: Overuse of resources/environmental damage Drought Warfare Abuse of power by kings -- NOTE: 900 AD Rise of the Byzantine (Western Roman) Empire

The Aztecs

Rise of the Empire As the Maya were declining, the Aztecs located to the north, were on the rise. Started as farming villages The Aztecs were fierce warriors, conquered land around them Ruled 400-500 city states and around 5 million people.

Tribute System (basis for economy) Conquered people had to pay a tribute or tax in the form of feathers, crops, pottery and blankets Aztecs became wealthy because of…. Tribute system Trade Roads

Tenochtitlan Te·noch·ti·tlán Capital City Population= 200,000 Center City= walled compound used for politics and religion Trade :connected by canals Floating Gardens (chinampas)= used because the city was built on a swamp and there was not much farm land. Built by piling soil on top of rafts.

Society and Religion Social Classes: king, nobles, priests, warriors, merchants, craftsman, farmers(majority of population), slaves Religion: priest performed religious ceremonies. Believing that the gods needed human blood they would sacrifice 20,000 slaves and prisoners per year.

Achievements Known for : metalwork, headdresses, jewelry, decorated temples and sculptures of gods. Gylphs: used to keep track of taxes/trade Calendar: created a 365 day solar calendar Contact with Europeans in the 1500’s brought about an end to the civilization.

The Inca Empire

Government Started out as small tribes but by the 1500’s the empire extended the entire Pacific coast and throughout the Andes Mountains Pachacuti (p ah - ch uh - k oo - t ee ) most powerful ruler, became emperor around 1438. Used political alliances and military force to gain territory. Government reforms: sent officials to rule throughout the empire Established an official language known as Quechua (catch u wa) 15

Economy Government strictly controlled economy Common people payed a labor tax known as Mita Government distributed goods not merchants/stored surplus for emergencies Quipu (key pu): knotted colored cord. Used to keep record on taxes, business transactions and census.

Society Ayllu (eye-yoo): cooperative communities, members worked together under a chief who reported to higher level government officials. No slaves Lower class: farmers, artisans and servants Upper class: kings, priests

Achievements Stable government Temples, Forts, Stone blocks for building (some still standing today) Metalwork and weaving