1. Societies in Mesoamerica & the Andes

2. Mesoamerica Classical Post-Classical Ending in about 900 Maya
People of Teotihuacan
Post-Classical
Toltecs
Aztecs

3. Classical - Mayan Replace Olmec Slash & Burn Social Classes
Rulers & elite serve both religious & political functions
King - not divine

4. Mayan - Religion Many gods - especially for agriculture
Human sacrifice
Victims
Bloodletting

5. Mayan - Collapse By 800, leaving cities
Within 100 years, completely abandoned
Why disappear?
3 Theories

6. Post-Classical - Toltecs
Change = more emphasis on military organization
Toltecs - unify Mexico
Society
Centralized
Based on military
2 rulers

7. Post-Classical - Aztec
Take over after Toltec
Build Tenochtitlan
Rise to power due to military might
Tribute system on conquered peoples

8. Aztec - Social System King - semi-divine Officials Warriors
Ordinary/free people
Serfs
Slaves
Patriarchal
Priests
Sacrifice

9. Society in the Andes - Inca
Form in about 1100
1430’s consolidate political power
Aggressive expansion
Agriculture
Military – 250,000 soldiers in army
Roads – expands 2,700 miles along Andes Mountains
People: - 32 million of
100 different
cultures/ethnic
groups

10. World of the Inca Government will give you: In exchange, you must:
Guaranteed work for low standard of living
Free health care
158 day (5 months) vacation
World’s most powerful military
Keep your house clean
Stop barking dog (or it will be killed)
Give away major material possessions
Start a garden
Work 60 days on roads, trails & city parks
Sales tax 30%
Watch what you say

11. Economy - Inca Mit’a System Compulsory labor Kept track of by khipu
Men = heavy labor
Women = textiles, pottery & jewelry
Kept track of by khipu

12. Social Classes - Inca Chief Ruler = Inca Priests
Deity descended from the sun, wife from moon
Absolute, all-knowing
Gave land to be farmed for him
Priests
Merchant class missing

13. Religion - Inca Polytheistic Most important god is the Sun
The Inca was the sun’s representative on earth
Past Incas were mummified & kept in Temple of the Sun