THE FIRST AMERICANS Chapter 9

California State Requirement 7.7 Students compare and contrast the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations. 05rtq.asp 7.7 Students compare and contrast the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations. 05rtq.asp

Farming Begins in Mesoamerica During an ice age, 15,000 to 40,000 years ago, glaciers caused a drop in sea levels exposing land between Asia and Alaska During an ice age, 15,000 to 40,000 years ago, glaciers caused a drop in sea levels exposing land between Asia and Alaska This land bridge is called Beringia This land bridge is called Beringia Asian hunter-gatherers crossed Beringia into America as they followed game animals Asian hunter-gatherers crossed Beringia into America as they followed game animals Beringia disappeared under water some 10,000 years ago at the end of the ice age Beringia disappeared under water some 10,000 years ago at the end of the ice age

Hunting and Gathering Early Americans fished and gathered nuts, fruits, or roots Early Americans fished and gathered nuts, fruits, or roots They hunted massive prey, such as wooly mammoth, antelope, caribou, and bison They hunted massive prey, such as wooly mammoth, antelope, caribou, and bison As the Ice Age ended, some animals became extinct, others survived As the Ice Age ended, some animals became extinct, others survived Warm weather offered opportunities to early Americans Warm weather offered opportunities to early Americans

The Agricultural Revolution in America After the Ice Age, early Americans learned that seeds could be planted and grown into crops After the Ice Age, early Americans learned that seeds could be planted and grown into crops Farming began in Mesoamerica 9,000 to 10,000 years ago Farming began in Mesoamerica 9,000 to 10,000 years ago First crops were pumpkins, peppers, squash, gourds, and beans First crops were pumpkins, peppers, squash, gourds, and beans Over time, corn or maize became the most important food in the Americas Over time, corn or maize became the most important food in the Americas

The Olmec Mesoamerica’s first civilization was the Olmec Mesoamerica’s first civilization was the Olmec Olmec had rich farming resources, but had to trade for other raw materials, such as jade and obsidian Olmec had rich farming resources, but had to trade for other raw materials, such as jade and obsidian Eventually, an inland people took control and built the first planned city in the Americas, Teotihuacan, or “Place of the Gods” Eventually, an inland people took control and built the first planned city in the Americas, Teotihuacan, or “Place of the Gods”

By A.D. 400, Teotihuacan had a population of over 120,000 By A.D. 400, Teotihuacan had a population of over 120,000 At about this time, The Maya built a civilization in the rain forests of the Yucatan Peninsula At about this time, The Maya built a civilization in the rain forests of the Yucatan Peninsula Teotihuacan and the Mayan cities peaked in the A.D. 400s and 500s Teotihuacan and the Mayan cities peaked in the A.D. 400s and 500s Around A.D. 600, Teotihuacan began to decline Around A.D. 600, Teotihuacan began to decline

By A.D. 750, Teotihuacan had been destroyed By A.D. 750, Teotihuacan had been destroyed By A.D. 900s, the Maya cities were abandoned By A.D. 900s, the Maya cities were abandoned

The Rise of the Aztec After the Maya, the Toltec built a city called Tula northwest of today’s Mexico City After the Maya, the Toltec built a city called Tula northwest of today’s Mexico City They conquered lands all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula They conquered lands all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula Around A.D. 1200, the Aztec and other invaders captured Tula Around A.D. 1200, the Aztec and other invaders captured Tula

Aztec warriors took control of trade and built a huge empire Aztec warriors took control of trade and built a huge empire By A.D. 1500s, the Aztec ruled some five million people By A.D. 1500s, the Aztec ruled some five million people

The Inca The First empire in South America was built by the Inca The First empire in South America was built by the Inca Homeland was in Andes mountain ranges of present-day Peru Homeland was in Andes mountain ranges of present-day Peru They lived in high river valleys, often above 10,000 feet They lived in high river valleys, often above 10,000 feet Built biggest empire in the Americas Built biggest empire in the Americas Centered around the capital of Cuzco, founded in A.D Centered around the capital of Cuzco, founded in A.D. 1100

The Mayan People Maya are ancestors of millions of Native Americans living in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Belize Maya are ancestors of millions of Native Americans living in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Belize They picked the Peten (“flat region”) in present-day Guatemala to settle They picked the Peten (“flat region”) in present-day Guatemala to settle The Peten’s rain forests nearly blocked out the sun The Peten’s rain forests nearly blocked out the sun Swamps and sinkholes gave them a year-round source of water Swamps and sinkholes gave them a year-round source of water

Sinkholes connected the Maya with huge system of underground rivers Sinkholes connected the Maya with huge system of underground rivers Building cities and fields in the Peten required an organized government Building cities and fields in the Peten required an organized government Mayans were divided into city-states Mayans were divided into city-states Each was ruled by a king Each was ruled by a king City-states often fought each other City-states often fought each other

Rulers claimed they were descended from sun god and ruled as god-kings Rulers claimed they were descended from sun god and ruled as god-kings

Life in Mayan Cities One way to please the gods was through human sacrifice One way to please the gods was through human sacrifice Mayans wanted captives more than land when they fought wars Mayans wanted captives more than land when they fought wars Offered captives to Chac, god of rain and sunlight during droughts Offered captives to Chac, god of rain and sunlight during droughts

Believed Chac lived in the sinkholes Believed Chac lived in the sinkholes Captives often thrown into the pits as sacrifice Captives often thrown into the pits as sacrifice Usually, they sacrificed only the elite (most important) classes of conquered peoples Usually, they sacrificed only the elite (most important) classes of conquered peoples

Most slaves were owned by the Mayan elite Most slaves were owned by the Mayan elite Slaves were used for heavy labor or household chores Slaves were used for heavy labor or household chores Religion was at the core of Mayan life Religion was at the core of Mayan life A huge pyramid with a temple on top dominated every Mayan city A huge pyramid with a temple on top dominated every Mayan city

Some women were important in Mayan city-states Some women were important in Mayan city-states In Calakmul, at least two women served as all-powerful queens In Calakmul, at least two women served as all-powerful queens In Mayan ball games, players attempted to put a ball through a hoop high above the court without using their hands In Mayan ball games, players attempted to put a ball through a hoop high above the court without using their hands The losing team was sacrificed to the gods The losing team was sacrificed to the gods

Mayan Science and Writing Developed a 365-day calendar Developed a 365-day calendar Used it to predict eclipses and schedule religious festivals, plantings, and harvests Used it to predict eclipses and schedule religious festivals, plantings, and harvests Developed mathematical system with counting based on 20 Developed mathematical system with counting based on 20

Written language of hieroglyphics to record numbers and dates Written language of hieroglyphics to record numbers and dates

THE AZTEC

The Aztec Government Aztec god, Quetzalcoatl, promised them they would know their homeland when an eagle “screams and spreads its wings, and eats…the serpent” Aztec god, Quetzalcoatl, promised them they would know their homeland when an eagle “screams and spreads its wings, and eats…the serpent” In A.D in a swampy island in Lake Texcoco, the Aztec believed their prophecy came true In A.D in a swampy island in Lake Texcoco, the Aztec believed their prophecy came true

Emperor’s Chair

They built floating gardens (chinampas), causeways, and bridges They built floating gardens (chinampas), causeways, and bridges Called their city Tenochtitlan and proceeded to conquer the Valley of Mexico Called their city Tenochtitlan and proceeded to conquer the Valley of Mexico

Tenochtitlan

Life in the Aztec Empire King or emperor was atop society King or emperor was atop society Aztec had four social classes Aztec had four social classes Nobles, commoners, unskilled laborers, and conquered people Nobles, commoners, unskilled laborers, and conquered people Commoners were largest group Commoners were largest group Tlaloc

Commoners were farmers, artisans, or traders and could become nobles by performing one act of bravery in war Commoners were farmers, artisans, or traders and could become nobles by performing one act of bravery in war To preserve their religion, history, and poetry, the Aztecs made books called codices To preserve their religion, history, and poetry, the Aztecs made books called codices Each codex was a single strip up to 40 feet long folded in a zig-zag pattern Each codex was a single strip up to 40 feet long folded in a zig-zag pattern

Most codices were lost after Spanish conquest Most codices were lost after Spanish conquest Aztecs developed two calendars Aztecs developed two calendars 260 days religious calendar 260 days religious calendar 365-day calendar divided into 18 months of 20 days 365-day calendar divided into 18 months of 20 days

Aztec boys were taught that they were born to be warriors Aztec boys were taught that they were born to be warriors Built a huge pyramid at center of Tenochtitlan known as the Great Temple Built a huge pyramid at center of Tenochtitlan known as the Great Temple Thousands were sacrificed there Thousands were sacrificed there Tenochtitlan reached a population of perhaps 400,000 people Tenochtitlan reached a population of perhaps 400,000 people

Aztec Sacrifice

To support such a high population in a region unsuitable for agriculture, the Aztec used irrigation, fertilization, and draining water from swamps To support such a high population in a region unsuitable for agriculture, the Aztec used irrigation, fertilization, and draining water from swamps

Life in the Inca Empire The highest Inca god was Pachacamac, “Lord of the earth” that caused earthquakes when he lost his temper The highest Inca god was Pachacamac, “Lord of the earth” that caused earthquakes when he lost his temper Greatest Inca ruler was Pachacuti, meaning “Earthshaker” Greatest Inca ruler was Pachacuti, meaning “Earthshaker” Starting in 1438, Pachacuti and his son built the largest ancient empire of the Americas Starting in 1438, Pachacuti and his son built the largest ancient empire of the Americas

Empire stretched 2,500 miles north to south Empire stretched 2,500 miles north to south Let local rulers stay in power, but took their sons to Cuzco Let local rulers stay in power, but took their sons to Cuzco Required people to learn Quechua, the Inca language Required people to learn Quechua, the Inca language

Built 25,000 miles of roads to overcome the challenges of climate and geography Built 25,000 miles of roads to overcome the challenges of climate and geography Roads made it easier to move goods, information, and their armies Roads made it easier to move goods, information, and their armies

Used irrigation and fertilizers to improve farming Used irrigation and fertilizers to improve farming Developed terraced farming, series of ridges in mountainside creating level farmland Developed terraced farming, series of ridges in mountainside creating level farmland

Herded llama as cattle Herded llama as cattle

An Organized Society Believed that the sun god Inti protected Cuzco Believed that the sun god Inti protected Cuzco Rulers called themselves “sons of the sun” Rulers called themselves “sons of the sun” Every man, woman, and child over age five had work to do Every man, woman, and child over age five had work to do

What Was Incan Culture Like? The Inca used human sacrifice only in times of trouble The Inca used human sacrifice only in times of trouble They built large stone works to please the gods They built large stone works to please the gods Had no writing system, no wheels, and no iron, yet built places like Machu Picchu Had no writing system, no wheels, and no iron, yet built places like Machu Picchu

Used a quipu to do mathematical calculations necessary for building large structures Used a quipu to do mathematical calculations necessary for building large structures Each knot represented a number or item Each knot represented a number or item Also used to keep records Also used to keep records

Columbus Arrives in America European kingdoms were looking for a way to bypass the Muslim kingdoms and trade directly with East Asia European kingdoms were looking for a way to bypass the Muslim kingdoms and trade directly with East Asia The Portuguese sought to find a sea route around Africa The Portuguese sought to find a sea route around Africa The Spaniards decided to finance a trip by the Italian Christopher Columbus The Spaniards decided to finance a trip by the Italian Christopher Columbus

Columbus claimed he could reach Asia by sailing west Columbus claimed he could reach Asia by sailing west In August 1492, Columbus landed on an island in the Caribbean Sea In August 1492, Columbus landed on an island in the Caribbean Sea He returned to conquer the area He returned to conquer the area

Hernan Cortes On February 18, 1519, Captain Hernan Cortes set sail for Mexico On February 18, 1519, Captain Hernan Cortes set sail for Mexico He came with 550 soldiers, 16 horses, 14 cannons, and a few dogs He came with 550 soldiers, 16 horses, 14 cannons, and a few dogs A Maya woman named Malintzin served as translator for Cortes A Maya woman named Malintzin served as translator for Cortes She told Cortes about the Aztec and helped him form alliances with tribes that hated the Aztec She told Cortes about the Aztec and helped him form alliances with tribes that hated the Aztec

Spaniards also carried diseases, such as measles and small pox Spaniards also carried diseases, such as measles and small pox Diseases would kill more Aztec than the Spanish swords Diseases would kill more Aztec than the Spanish swords

Cortes Defeats the Aztec Aztec emperor Montezuma II thought that Cortes was the god Quetzalcoatl returning home Aztec emperor Montezuma II thought that Cortes was the god Quetzalcoatl returning home Cortes marched into Tenochtitlan and took Montezuma II hostage Cortes marched into Tenochtitlan and took Montezuma II hostage Ordered Aztec to stop human sacrifices Ordered Aztec to stop human sacrifices

Order angered Aztecs, who planned a rebellion Order angered Aztecs, who planned a rebellion Spanish fought way out of city Spanish fought way out of city Smallpox broke out in Tenochtitlan weakening Aztec Smallpox broke out in Tenochtitlan weakening Aztec In June 1521, Cortes and Spaniards destroyed Tenochtitlan In June 1521, Cortes and Spaniards destroyed Tenochtitlan

Pizarro Defeats the Inca 1530s, the conquistador Pizarro led 160 adventurers up mountains into Incan homeland 1530s, the conquistador Pizarro led 160 adventurers up mountains into Incan homeland Incan emperor, Atahualpa, thought Pizarro could not stand up to his army of 80,000 warriors Incan emperor, Atahualpa, thought Pizarro could not stand up to his army of 80,000 warriors

Pizarro knew much about Native Americans through own experience and from Cortes Pizarro knew much about Native Americans through own experience and from Cortes In late 1532, Pizarro came up with a plan In late 1532, Pizarro came up with a plan Spanish messengers invited Atahualpa to a meeting Spanish messengers invited Atahualpa to a meeting Atahualpa took only his 5,000 unarmed bodyguards for protection Atahualpa took only his 5,000 unarmed bodyguards for protection

Pizarro asked the emperor to give up his gods Pizarro asked the emperor to give up his gods Atahualpa laughed at the request and the Spaniards attacked with cannon, and swords Atahualpa laughed at the request and the Spaniards attacked with cannon, and swords

Atahualpa was captured and tried to buy his freedom with gold and silver Atahualpa was captured and tried to buy his freedom with gold and silver Even though he kept his words, the Spaniards accused him of many crimes and in 1533 was found guilty by military court and sentenced to death Even though he kept his words, the Spaniards accused him of many crimes and in 1533 was found guilty by military court and sentenced to death The primary reason the conquistadors came to the Americas was to search for riches The primary reason the conquistadors came to the Americas was to search for riches