Societies in Mesoamerica & the Andes

Mesoamerica Classical Post-Classical Ending in about 900 Maya People of Teotihuacan Post-Classical 900-1450 Toltecs Aztecs

Classical - Mayan Replace Olmec Slash & Burn Social Classes Rulers & elite serve both religious & political functions King - not divine

Mayan - Religion Many gods - especially for agriculture Human sacrifice Victims Bloodletting

Mayan - Collapse By 800, leaving cities Within 100 years, completely abandoned Why disappear? 3 Theories

Post-Classical - Toltecs Change = more emphasis on military organization Toltecs - unify Mexico Society Centralized Based on military 2 rulers

Post-Classical - Aztec Take over after Toltec Build Tenochtitlan Rise to power due to military might Tribute system on conquered peoples

Aztec - Social System King - semi-divine Officials Warriors Ordinary/free people Serfs Slaves Patriarchal Priests Sacrifice

Society in the Andes - Inca Form in about 1100 1430’s consolidate political power Aggressive expansion Agriculture Military – 250,000 soldiers in army Roads – expands 2,700 miles along Andes Mountains People: - 32 million of 100 different cultures/ethnic groups

World of the Inca Government will give you: In exchange, you must: Guaranteed work for low standard of living Free health care 158 day (5 months) vacation World’s most powerful military Keep your house clean Stop barking dog (or it will be killed) Give away major material possessions Start a garden Work 60 days on roads, trails & city parks Sales tax 30% Watch what you say

Economy - Inca Mit’a System Compulsory labor Kept track of by khipu Men = heavy labor Women = textiles, pottery & jewelry Kept track of by khipu

Social Classes - Inca Chief Ruler = Inca Priests Deity descended from the sun, wife from moon Absolute, all-knowing Gave land to be farmed for him Priests Merchant class missing

Religion - Inca Polytheistic Most important god is the Sun The Inca was the sun’s representative on earth Past Incas were mummified & kept in Temple of the Sun