1. 7th Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
The Maya

2. Mayan Hierarchy

3. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes: Terms
obsidian
Pacal

4. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
Heading 1
Geography Affects Early Maya
Maya civilization in Mesoamerican lowlands 1000 BC;
thick forests;
forest (negative): lots of cutting for farming;
forest (plus): resources, food, building;
Maya lived in villages, traded woven cloth & obsidian;
AD 200 first large cities in Mesoamerica.

5. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
Heading 1
Performance Task: Turn to your partner and take turns sharing a resource one can find in the rainforest.
Geography Affects Early Maya

6. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
Heading 2
Maya Classic Age
Classic Age, AD 250 to 900;
+40 cities w/ 5,000 to 50,000 people;
built large stone pyramids, temples, palaces;
Lowlands: crops, wood products;
some honor kings, i.e. Pacal;
Highlands: valuable stones like jade, obsidian;

7. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
Heading 2
Maya Classic Age
1. Written language
2. Large stone pyramids
Question: Which of the following did the Olmecs and the Mayans have in common?
3. Central government.

8. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
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Maya Classic Age
built canals for irrigation;
celebrated ruler’s life;
separate rulers each city, warred constantly;
no central government;
terraced hillsides for crops;
warring: constant, violent, brutal, possible end to Mayan culture.

9. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
Heading 2 continued
Maya Classic Age
1. They had a strong central government with a king.
Question: Which of the following three statements is the best comparison with ancient Greece?
2. They lived in separate city-states and fought with each other constantly.
3. They believed in a democratic government of the people.

10. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
Heading 3
Maya Civilization Declines
Maya’s culture began collapsing 900s AD;
Theory 1: overplanting, soil problems;
Theory 2: commoners tired of building, etc.;
Theory 3: too much war.
Theory 4: drought
They stopped building and left the cities.

11. Chapter 14-2 Cornell Notes
Heading 3
Maya Civilization Declines
Question: Which of the following three theories of the Maya collapse is probably incorrect?
Theory 1: invasion by barbarians
Theory 2: slave labor
Theory 3: constant warfare