Aztecs and Incas (Chapter 11)

Aztecs Incas Government not as well organized as Incan government Less centralized than Incas Lake/land rulers Maize was main crop Expansionists and highly militaristic Trade and markets far more developed than in Incan society Very well organized compared to Aztecs Set up bureaucratic zones of control Centralized more than Aztecs Mountain-valley rulers Main crop were potatoes Trade and markets not as well developed at those in Aztec society

Male dominated society; Priests very important in society Warriors were prized (Mainly Aztec Society) Slaves generally low on “totem pole” Merchant class did not exist Lacked nomadic herders unlike Europe, Asia, and Africa

Some small, mobile kin-based groups of hunter- gatherers existed in Americas From Tierra Del Fuego to Canadian forests Recognized local ethnic groups/political leaders Allowed variation, but must remain loyal and pay tribute Social organization often remained without strong divisions

Theocracy- Ruled by religion Culture represented success of military and imperial organization State organization was an image of society Nobles= Personnel of State Tried to create overarching political state and integrate empire as a whole Evident in Incas more than Aztecs Incas had split inheritance All titles and political power went to successor Wealth and land remained with male descendants

Adapted well to varying environments Ex. Aztecs built chinampas (“floating islands” and used for Aztec irrigation agriculture; Incas built dikes, dams, aqueducts, and terraced farming Military power against nomadic peoples less effective Civilization started from conquest of sedentary agriculture people These people paid tribute and provided labor

Toltec culture lay foundation and provides establishment Strongly militaristic and human sacrifices Aztecs rely on Toltecs most Olmec and Mayan cultures also lay foundation Have gods/goddesses; Sacrifices Ayllu and Calpulli transformed by social hierarchy Were older kin-based institutions; Aztec clans

Population of Americas estimated at 67,300 *See chart on following slide* Were conquerors Agriculture widely spread by 1500 Combined with hunting and fishing Organized by state, which accumulated surplus, distributed to groups/social classes Aztecs: Maize; Incas: Potatoes Slash and burn farming led to movement of villages when production declined

Population Estimate for the Western Hemisphere AreaPopulation (thousands) North America4,400 Mexico21,400 Central America5,650 Caribbean5,850 Andes11,500 Lowland South America18,500 Total67,300

Mainly Animistic Sees gods in many aspects of nature and wins favor of them to help and control nature Have several gods, such as Gods of: rain, fire, water, corn, sky, and sun Yearly festivals to honor these gods Held the Sun God to be most important

Tenochtitlan- capital city of Aztec empire Montezuma I- became leader of Aztec empire once it was established Montezuma II- last independent Aztec emperor; killed during Hernán Cortés’s conquest of Tenochtitlan