-Maya were found in the Yucatan Peninsula Mayan civilization • Located in the Mexican and Central American rain forest • Represented by Chichén Itzá • Group of city-states ruled by a king • Economy based on agriculture and trade • Polytheistic religion Yucatán Peninsula -Maya were found in the Yucatan Peninsula Maya: Between 300 and 900 A.D. -Flourished during this time. We do not know why it fell into decline. The Maya abandoned their cities, we do not know why. Political and Social Structure Cities-Were built around a central pyramid Pyramid-Was topped with a shrine to the gods. City-States-Each governed by a hereditary ruling class

Religion The Maya were Polytheistic. They believed that all of life was in the hands of a divine power. They were responsible for pleasing the gods. Human Sacrifice was used: To make the gods happy To mark special occasions When a new king took the thrown

Accomplishments Language The Maya developed an independent Hieroglyphic language. The Spanish destroyed most of the Mayan writings. They were not seen as having any value. Their language was not translated until the 20th century.

• Located in arid valley in central Mexico • Ruled by an emperor Aztec civilization • Located in arid valley in central Mexico • Ruled by an emperor • Economy based on agriculture and tribute from conquered peoples • Polytheistic religion with pyramids/rituals An Aztec legend said that when the people found their new home they would see an eagle perched on a cactus holding a snake. They saw this in lake Texcoco. Present-Day Mexico-City is built on top of this city. The original was destroyed by the Spanish.

Religion Had a polytheistic religion based on warfare. Huitzilopochtli Their chief god. He was the god of the sun. The Aztec offered him human sacrifice to give him strength to battle the forces of darkness each night so that he could rise each morning. Quetzalcoatl The feathered Serpent He believed he had left the valley of Mexico and promised to return in triumph. Human Sacrifice Each Aztec city contained a pyramid where they practiced human sacrifice as a way to postpone the end of the world.

Destruction of the Aztec Non-Aztec people hated the Aztec for their Brutality. So when the Spanish arrived They had no problem finding allies. Hernán Cortés 1519 Spanish Conquistador who came to the valley of Mexico in 1519 with 550 soldiers and 16 horses. He was at first greeted by the Aztec Emperor Montezuma (Moctezuma). The Spanish later kidnapped the Emperor and made him a puppet. The people rebelled and the Emperor was killed. The Spanish barely escaped. The Spanish returned several months later. Many of the natives had fallen ill with Smallpox. Cortés and his allies destroyed the Aztec capital and subjugated the Aztec people.

Incan civilization Late 1300's Inca • Located in the Andes Mountains of South America • Machu Picchu- major city • Ruled by an emperor • Economy based on high-altitude agriculture • Polytheistic religion • Road system Late 1300's Inca The Inca started as a small group that were located in Cuzco. .

Organization of the Empire Built on war Prisoners of war were taught their language Each region had a governor Built 24,800 miles of roads to unify their territory Built bridges over ravines and rivers. Built rest areas. Incan state was built on war.

Great Builders They had great buildings made of stone held without mortar. Their roads also show their ability as great builders. Machu Picchu City built at 8,000 ft above sea level.

Defeat The Spanish arrived in 1531 Spanish Conquistador led a band of 180 men with superior weapons. The Inca, like the Aztec, were devastated by disease. Smallpox Civil War After the death of the Inca Emperor a civil war broke out, Pizarro took advantage and defeated the people. Pizarro and his men established Lima as the new capital of the Spanish Colony in 1535.