People & Civilizations of the Americas

Mesoamerican Culture Teotihuacan = 150,000 strong city dominated by religious structures Growth of the city due to the following factors… – Forced relocation – Agricultural Technology (Floating Gardens) Ruled by alliances of wealthy families Military used to protect and expand Collapsed around 650 C.E.

The Maya Never formed a unified state / civil war between competing Mayan City-States Agricultural productivity increases – Swamp draining, building elevated fields, irrigation systems, terraced hillsides Religion = – 3 Layers of Cosmos (Heavens, Humanworld, & Underworld) Women in Mayan Society – Participated in rituals but held no power – “Common” women important with Agricultural & Textile production Military = Fought for captives not territory (sacrifice & slavery) Notable Achievements = – Mayan Calendar & Writing System – Mathematics (concept of zero) Declined between C.E.

The Aztecs Originally a Northern, clan-based people Founded major cities of Tenochtitlan & Tlatelolco Government = Monarchy – Wealth & Power through conquest – As empire grew…so did the gap between rich & poor. Women = – Controlled the household & economic markets Chinampas = small, rectangle-shaped areas of fertile arable land to grow crops on the shallow lake beds Trade=Barter Tribute from conquered peoples Religion = Polytheistic – Worshipping the gods required human sacrifice

Andean Civilizations All shaped by geography Moche Culture – Northern coastal Peru 200 C.E. – Political = Structured and theocratic (society dominated by elites) – Skilled in metallurgy & ceramics Tiwanaku – Founded in Bolivia after 200 C.E. – Political = Ruled by the hereditary elite (s) – Construction = Human Powered Wari – Near Ayucucho, Peru – Warlike culture / Not as advanced as Tiwanaku – Unclear if the two were linked – Declined by 1000 C.E.

The Inca Started small in Cuzco, but through military expansion created a large empire Controlled empire through local leadership with military garrisons & hostages in Cuzco Government = imperial bureaucracy led by a “Proven” King (through conquest) Cultural Achievements = – Astronomical observations – Weaving & Metallurgy – 13,000 miles of roads built – Didn’t introduce new technology but improved existing technology. Civil War weakened the empire by 1525 C.E. (eve of Europeans)