1. History of
Latin America

2. Olmec Maya Aztec Inca Toltec
Click on a Native American culture to learn more.
Olmec
Maya
Aztec
Inca
Toltec

3. Built first civilization in Latin America.
1500 BC-300 BC
Built first civilization in Latin America.
An Olmec stone statue
Olmec
Traded with people miles away, which is how the Olmec culture spread throughout Mexico and Central America.
Each city focused on a particular activity and depended on each other. Some cities were known for farming, controlled valuable mineral resources (jade and obsidian), or religious centers.

4. Maya Settled in the Mexico Yucatan Peninsula and surrounding areas
AD 330-AD 900
No one is really sure why civilization declined.
Maya
Glyphs-A form of writing they used using signs and signals to record the history of their kings.
Became wealthy because of trading
Developed a calendar and a number based on 20
Their cities were made of observatories, temple pyramids, and ball courts.
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5. As Maya civilization declined, the Toltec took over Northern Mexico.
Captured in
A.D by the Aztec
A.D. 900-A.D. 1200
Toltec
Built the city Tula northwest of present day Mexico City
Held a monopoly in trade of obsidian glass, which gave them power over other groups

6. Around A.D. 1200, moved from the north into central Mexico and captured Tula.
Adopted Toltec culture and took control of the region’s trade
The Great Pyramid was the main temple of the Aztec capital.
To extend their culture, the Aztec often waged war with other groups.
Aztec
The Aztecs were hated by the people they conquered. In 1521, these groups joined with European invaders to conquer the Aztec.
They demanded Tribute from those they conquered, a tax that was paid in food, clothing, precious stones or feathers.
People were also sometimes taken as Tribute and forced into slavery.
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7. Inca Settled in what is now Peru in South America around A.D. 1400s
The Inca worshiped many Gods but the most important was the sun God, Inti. Legend was that the emperor descended from Inti. All Inca called themselves “Children of the Sun”.
Their empire stretched more than 2,500 miles along the Andes.
Founded military posts and developed a system of record keeping
Cuzco served as the center of government, religion, and trade.
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