1. Early Civilizations in Mesoamerica
Global Studies I
Early Civilizations in Mesoamerica

2. December 23
Is there any truth to the Mesoamerican Mayan’s claim that the world will end on a specific date?
On your paper Write “Doomsday 2012?” and then write your thoughts as they relate to this question.

3. Mesoamerica
Middle America, the areas of Mexico and Central America that were civilized before the arrival of the Spanish

4. The Olmec
lived in the lowlands along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico south of Veracruz
Large cities were centers for religious rituals
Colossal stone heads
Declined and collapsed in 400 BC

5. The Maya Lived on the Yucatán Peninsula
Built splendid temples and pyramids
Explanations for decline include invasion, internal revolt, natural disaster, reduced crop yield

6. Mayan Political and Social Structures
City-states governed by a hereditary ruling class
Rulers claimed to be descended from gods
Aided by nobles and scribes (priests)
Townspeople
Skilled artisans, officials, and merchants
Peasant farmers were the majority of the population

7. Mayan Religion
Believed that all life was in the hands of divine powers
Itzamna (Lizard Dwelling)
Supreme god
Gods were ranked in order of importance
Human sacrifices

8. Mayan Writings and Calendar
Hieroglyphics
Recorded important events in Mayan history
Calendar based on a belief in cycles of creation and destruction
Ends December 23, 2012

9. Mayan Language & Writing

10. The Toltec Lived northwest of present-day Mexico city
Fierce and warlike
Constructed pyramids and palaces
Declined around 1200

11. The Aztec Capital at Tenochtitlán, presently Mexico City
Collection of semi-independent territories governed by local lords
Collected tribute, goods or money paid by conquered people to their conquerors

12. Aztec Political and Social Structure
Ruler was a monarch assisted by a council of lords and government officials
Commoners, indentured workers, and slaves
Women were not equal to men, but were allowed to own and inherit property and enter into contracts
also permitted to become priestesses

13. Aztec Religion and Culture
Polytheistic
Based on belief in unending struggle between good and evil
Human sacrifices
Monumental architecture
massive pyramids

14. Destruction of Aztec Civilization
1519, Hernán Cortés and troops were welcomed by Aztec leader Montezuma
Tensions arose and the Spanish took Montezuma hostage and pillaged Tenochtitlán
1520, Aztecs revolted against Spanish and drove them from the city
European diseases and gunpowder killed many Aztecs

15. First to stand up and yell yahoo gets a treat!
The End