Development of South and Central America Societies Engineering an Empire: Aztec 1 SSWH8

Warm Up Feb. 25 What is the oldest known Mesoamerican civilization Aztec Incan Mayan Olmec

Intro Early Inhabitants Migrated from Asia during the last Ice Age, crossing the Bering Strait by foot

Intro Hunter-gatherers: During global warming, they migrated east and south to follow the herds. Different cultures formed as they spread out. Cut off from Asia as Ice Age ended, they developed independently from cultures in the Eastern Hemisphere. Intro

Engineering an Empire: Aztec 2 OLMEC Engineering an Empire: Aztec 2 1200-400 BC 1st structured civilization in the Americas. Called “Rubber People” Located in Southern Mexico Farmers slash and burn The Olmecs

The Olmec Arts: Stone Carving They made Pyramids, mounds, monuments Sculptured heads Religion: polytheistic many nature gods: Chief god was the jaguar god Influenced - design, ceremonial centers, ball games, elite ruling class Performed ritual sacrifices Government: ruler - god like

Olmec Achievements: Decline: Long Count Calendar System of Writing like Hieroglyphics Decline: No certain cause for their decline Probably a combination of climate, crop failure, and conflict.

In many of their great city-states, temple-pyramids formed the center of public life and were the site of much holy ritual, including human sacrifice.

Ancient City of Teotihuacan

Engineering an Empire: Aztec 3 Maya Engineering an Empire: Aztec 3

Mayans 2000 BC -900 Ad Rise: Reached its peak around 250 AD May have reached a population of 2 Million 40 major cities ranging from populations of 5,000 – 50,000 Social classes - warriors, priests, merchants, craft workers, peasants The Mayans

MAYANS Government: Religion: Economy: City States Polytheistic two layers (now and otherworld) Major role in society and rule Human sacrifice Economy: Trade with other city-states Slash and Burn Agriculture MAYANS

El Castillo, Chichen Itza: El Castillo "The Castle" It rises 79 feet above the Main Plaza of the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in Mexico (founded c. AD 600 ). Chichén Itzá

Mayans Arts: Pyramids Stone Carvings Pottery Astronomy, math, 2 calendars - 1 for sun, 1 for religion Math and astronomy to support religious beliefs Glyphic writing system Fall: No explanation for their decline Possibly: war, drought, infighting

Warm Up Feb. 26 The Mayan Civilization was the earliest form of utopianism known to exist. a peaceful state that produced some remarkable technological advances. composed of city-states, each governed by a hereditary ruling class. A destroyed by floods, leaving scant evidence of its existence.

Engineering an Empire: Aztec 4

Aztec Rise 1100-1522 AD Developed into powerful civilization in central and southern Mexico through conquering smaller groups. The capital city was Tenochtitlan. Located on islands in Lake Texcoco – 1200.

Tenochtitlan

The Aztecs

Aztec Government Religion Warriors Social structure Polytheistic Military strength Social structure Emperor Nobles Commoners Enslaved persons Religion Polytheistic Their main god was the “sun god” “fed” the god with human sacrifice

Quetzacoatl - feathered serpent god Legend -- left city and will return one day

Aztec Economy Tribute states Trade within the Empire.

Aztec Civilization Rise Developed a complex and rich society A trade network A mathematical system to keep up with the empire Two different calendar systems A Farming system that used irrigation to keep their crops growing even during dry periods.

Chinampas floating gardens

Aztec Art Stone carvings, pottery, and sculptures. Religion, Nature, and History were major themes.

Aztec Civilization The pyramid temple was the center of this great city

Aztec Civilization An important part of their culture was the sacrifice of animals and humans. People who were conquered were required to pay large taxes. They also had to provide people to offer as sacrifices to the Aztec gods.

Aztec Sacrifice

Aztec Fall Arrival of Spanish led to the fall of the Aztec in 1541. The Spanish destroyed much of the Aztec building and artwork. They destroyed the city of Tenochtitlan and built Mexico City in its place. Aztecs

Montezuma Cortes

Engineering an Empire: Aztec 5 The Inca

Inca Located in South America 1400-1534 Built Cuzco - capital – Peru Andes Mountains Built Cuzco - capital – Peru Lost Cities of the Inca

Inca Government: Theocracy Strong central government huge empire extending length of South America Leader - descendent of sun god

Inca Religion: Religion ruled state – theocracy Mummies Polytheistic Religion ruled state – theocracy Mummies Animal sacrifice Economy: Roads made trade easier All roads lead to Cuzco

Machu Picchu

INCAN Arts Built paved roads & suspension bridges - used running messengers Instead of writing system used knotted string to communicate messages & keep records - quipu

Quipu

Inca terraces

Suspension bridge

Atahualpa Pizarro Fall The Inca were conquered by the Spanish conquistador Pizarro in 1531. Atahualpa Pizarro