Borrowed from Mrs. Valenti’s World History Class Saddleback Valley, CA Thanks Mrs. Valenti!

The Maya civilization reached its height in a period called the Classic Age.  During this period, the Maya civilization spread to the Yucatan Peninsula. It included more than 40 cities of 5, ,000 people each. The Maya Classic Age

Cities  The Maya built grand buildings, some of which honored Maya kings, such as Pacal. Pacal

The Maya Classic Age Cities  The Maya built structures such as temples, palaces, ball courts, and large plazas.

The Maya Classic Age The Mayans also built canals to control the flow of water. Farmers shaped nearby hillsides into flat terraces so they could grow crops on them.

Tulum Palace

Tourists walk past a Mayan temple in the Tikal National Park

Observatory

The Mesoamerican Ballgame The Aztecs played a ball game. The ball was made of a solid rubber, called an olli. The players hit the ball with their hips, knees, and elbows and had to pass the ball through a stone ring to automatically win.

The Mesoamerican Ballgame The ball game was extremely violent. Players wore heavy padding. Even so, there were often serious injuries, and occasionally death. On some occasions post-game ceremonies featured the sacrifice of the captain and other players on the losing side.

The Maya Classic Age Warfare was bloody, and warriors fought hand to hand.  Conflicts between Mayan cities were started over control of the land. This destructive warfare may have led to their end.

Maya’s Decline Main Idea 3:  Maya civilization declined and although historians have several theories as to why,no one knows for sure why it fell. Some Mayan buildings are still around today – like this observatory

Foundations for the Incan Empire In South America, another great empire arose. That empire belonged to the Inca. In South America, another great empire arose. That empire belonged to the Inca.

Foundations for the Incan Empire The early Inca civilization began to develop in what is now Peru. The early Inca civilization began to develop in what is now Peru.

Foundations for the Incan Empire The early Incas began as a small tribe in the Andes mountains. A ruler named Pachacuti led the Incas to expand their territory through agreements with, or conquests of, other tribes. The early Incas began as a small tribe in the Andes mountains. A ruler named Pachacuti led the Incas to expand their territory through agreements with, or conquests of, other tribes.

Foundations for the Incan Empire Later Inca rulers continued to expand their territory. By the 1500s the Incan Empire was huge and had 12 million people. Later Inca rulers continued to expand their territory. By the 1500s the Incan Empire was huge and had 12 million people.

The Incan Government The Incas established an official language, Quechua. The Incas established an official language, Quechua. Quechua Huh?

The Incan Government They controlled the economy by having the Inca pay a tax with their labor. Citizens could pay with crops or help build roads or buildings. They controlled the economy by having the Inca pay a tax with their labor. Citizens could pay with crops or help build roads or buildings. Corn was a huge crop and often given as tribute.

The Incan Government There were no markets or merchants for people to buy food. Instead, the government would distribute “taxed” goods to the people. Leftover goods were stored in the capital for emergencies. There were no markets or merchants for people to buy food. Instead, the government would distribute “taxed” goods to the people. Leftover goods were stored in the capital for emergencies. potatoes squash walnuts

The Fall of the Incas Main Idea 2: A Spanish conquistador named Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas and took control of the Andes region. Main Idea 2: A Spanish conquistador named Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas and took control of the Andes region.

The Fall of the Incas Before the Spanish arrived, a civil war began in the Inca Empire between the two sons of the king, Atahualpa and Huáscar. Before the Spanish arrived, a civil war began in the Inca Empire between the two sons of the king, Atahualpa and Huáscar. –Atahualpa eventually won the war and ruled the empire.

The Fall of the Incas Although Atahualpa had won the war, the infighting had weakened the empire. Although Atahualpa had won the war, the infighting had weakened the empire. Similar to the Aztecs (pictured here), the Inca suffered from civil wars before the arrival of the Spanish.

The Fall of the Incas Then a group of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro arrived in the empire. Then a group of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro arrived in the empire.

The Fall of the Incas The Spanish demanded that Atahualpa convert to Christianity. When Atahualpa refused to convert, the conquistadors attacked the Inca, and thousands were killed. The Spanish demanded that Atahualpa convert to Christianity. When Atahualpa refused to convert, the conquistadors attacked the Inca, and thousands were killed.

The Fall of the Incas The Spanish defeated the last of the Inca, and the empire fell in The Spanish defeated the last of the Inca, and the empire fell in –The Spanish brought diseases that weakened the Inca.

The Fall of the Incas The Spanish had superior weapons and horses. The Spanish had superior weapons and horses. –Cannons –Crossbows –Swords made of Iron