2. West African Civilizations: Songhai
Read page 266 of your packet (front & back)
Who started the Songhai dynasty?
What were the key factors in Songhai’s rise to power?
How/Why did Songhai decline?
What is subsistence farming?
What ideas and technologies did the Bantu spread across Africa?

3. Civilizations of The Americas

5. Aztecs
Government: Single ruler. Conquered many of the surrounding peoples (Aztec “Empire”)
Adaptation to Environment: Built “Tenochtitlan” on Lake Texcoco engineered causeways & chinampas
Social Classes: Ruler was the highest, Nobility, Warriors, Farmers, and then the Enslaved peoples were the lowest.
Religious Beliefs: Rituals & ceremonies to please the gods: many sacrifices
Learning: Priests recorded laws & histories, ran schools. The Aztecs had an accurate calendar, and made many advances in medicine.

9. Which statement best describes Aztec civilization at the time of the Encounter?
Small groups of nomadic clans competed for food.
Various ethnic groups had representation in a legislative body.
Absence of a social class structure created unsettled living conditions.
Advanced agricultural practices supported large urban centers.

10. Which situation was an immediate cause for the collapse of the Aztec civilization?
disruption of overseas trade networks
conquest by foreigners
a series of crop failures
a lack of military training

11. Incas
Government: “Sapa Inca” exercised absolute power (telling his subjects who to marry, where to live, and what jobs to do)
Unified Empire: The empire was united under one language, one religion, & an extensive road system.
Allowed armies and news to travel swiftly
Sophisticated cities: Cuzco & Machu Pichu
Agriculture: Step-terraces built into the mountainside to cultivate corn, beans, and squash.
Religion: Polytheistic, worshipping gods linked to nature.
*Both the Aztec & Inca decline because of Spanish Invaders

16. The location of the Inca civilization of South America demonstrates the
importance of trade with western Europe
ability of humans to adapt the environment
influence of cultural diversity
complexity of indigenous belief systems

17. A key reason the Incas were able to control their large empire was that they
outlawed human sacrifice
formed a democratic government
built a road system to connect distant areas and to move armies
promoted literacy and mass education programs to teach loyalty to their subjects

18. Last Question …
A study of the achievements of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures would show that they
sustained dense populations through intensive agriculture
engaged in an extensive exploration of the Pacific Ocean
built vehicles with wheels to transport goods
developed rice paper and wood-block printing

20. Reviewing Important Ideas:
GENERAL QUESTIONS & THEMES:
Be able to explain how the first people reached the Americas.
Describe the main achievements of the Mayan civilization.
Explain how the Aztecs build a large and powerful empire.
Explain how the Incas ruled such a vast region.
BOOK QUESTIONS:
Page 174 “Reviewing Facts” #1, 3, 4
Page 174 “Critical Thinking” #1
Page 175 “Analyzing Tables” #1, 2, 3

21. Computer Assignment: Prentice Hall (Textbook) site  Quizlet
Chapter 6 Sections 1 & 2 Assessments
Quizlet