1. 16 People and Empires in the Americas, 900–1500
QUIT 16
CHAPTER
People and Empires in
the Americas, 900–1500
Chapter Overview
Time Line 1
Diverse Societies of North America
SECTION 2
Mayan Kings and Cities
SECTION
SECTION 3
The Aztecs Control Central Mexico 4
The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
SECTION
Visual Summary

2. 16 People and Empires in the Americas, 900–1500
HOME 16
CHAPTER
People and Empires in
the Americas, 900–1500
Chapter Overview
In the Americas, Native American, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations develop prior to the arrival of the Europeans. These civilizations, reflecting their geographic diversity, all develop sophisticated social, political, and economic institutions.

3. 16 People and Empires in the Americas, 900–1500 HOME Time Line 500
CHAPTER
People and Empires in
the Americas, 900–1500
Time Line
500s Teotihuacan reaches population peak in central Mexico.
900 Classic period of Mayan civilization ends.
1325 Aztecs build Tenochtitlan.
1502 Montezuma II crowned Aztec emperor.
500
1500
800 Anasazi culture develops in the Southwest.
1100 Mississippian culture thrives at Cahokia.
1438 Pachacuti becomes Inca emperor.

4. Diverse Societies of North America Key Idea 1
HOME 1
Diverse Societies of
North America
Key Idea
The dwellings and characteristics of Native American cultures, such as the Pueblos and Mound Builders, reflect their different environments. Common patterns of trade, religion, and social structure link diverse Native American peoples.
Overview
Assessment

5. Diverse Societies of North America Overview 1 • potlatch • Anasazi
HOME 1
Diverse Societies of
North America
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• potlatch
• Anasazi
• pueblos
• Mississippian
• Iroquois
• totems
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Complex North American societies were linked to each other through culture and economics.
Traditions and ideas from these cultures became part of the cultures of North America.
Assessment

6. Diverse Societies of North America 1 1
HOME 1
Diverse Societies of
North America
Section 1
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Compare and contrast Native Americans of the Northwest Coast and the Southwest.
Southwest
Northwest Coast
Both
Irrigated desert lands;
used pottery;
built cliff dwellings, pueblos, kivas
Believed in nature spirits;
believed in Great Spirit;
believed land was for everyone;
sought harmony with nature;
felt family was the basic unit
Gathered food and hunted, fished;
differences in wealth created social classes;
had potlatches
continued . . .

7. Diverse Societies of North America 1 1
HOME 1
Diverse Societies of
North America
Section 1
Assessment
2. In what ways did the peoples of North America share similar cultural patterns? THINK ABOUT
• how the people viewed the environment
• the role of family in their lives
• religion
ANSWER
Possible Response:
Most of the native people shared a love of the earth, valued the family unit, believed in the Great Spirit, and used totems.
continued . . .

8. Diverse Societies of North America 1 1
HOME 1
Diverse Societies of
North America
Section 1
Assessment
3. What evidence is there that societies in North America interacted with each other? THINK ABOUT
• how goods were obtained
• ways to defend against enemies
• what kinds of evidence historians find and consider valid
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
• Cultural groups throughout North America traded for goods they needed.
• Groups established alliances such as the Iroquois League for defense.
• Artifacts, ruins, and stories offer evidence of such interaction.
End of Section 1

9. Mayan Kings and Cities Key Idea 2
HOME 2
Mayan Kings and Cities
Key Idea
Mayan civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica during the first millennium A.D. Mayan cities and farms, religious practices, and achievements reflect a highly advanced culture. By the 900s, however, the Maya are in decline.
Overview
Assessment

10. Mayan Kings and Cities Overview 2 • Tikal • glyph • codex • Popol Vuh
HOME 2
Mayan Kings and Cities
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Tikal
• glyph
• codex
• Popol Vuh
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The Maya developed a highly complex civilization based on city-states controlled by dynasties of kings.
Descendants of the Maya still occupy the same territory.
Assessment

11. The Maya developed a highly complex civilization in Mesoamerica.
HOME 2
Mayan Kings and Cities
Section 2
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List details to support the following main idea: “The Maya developed a highly complex civilization in Mesoamerica.” You may want to review the characteristics of a civilization found in Chapter 1.
The Maya developed a highly complex civilization in Mesoamerica.
They built spectacular city-states ruled by dynasties of god-kings.
Created huge architectural sites
Developed sophisticated farming methods
Developed advanced mathematics, astronomy, and writing systems
Created a complex religious system
continued . . .

12. HOME 2
Mayan Kings and Cities
Section 2
Assessment
2. How important do you think the development of advanced mathematics was in the creation of the Mayan calendar? THINK ABOUT
• how records are kept over long periods of time
• the need for numbers larger than 20
• the need for precision
ANSWER
Possible Response:
Advanced mathematics was critical to the development of the Mayan calendar. The Maya needed a system of mathematics to record celestial movements over the years, to handle large numbers, and to calculate the solar and lunar year with great precision.
End of Section 2

13. The Aztecs Control Central Mexico Key Idea 3
HOME 3
The Aztecs Control
Central Mexico
Key Idea
In the Valley of Mexico, the Aztecs emerge in the 1200s, building on the foundations of earlier cultures. They conquer neighboring states to create the largest empire in Mesoamerica. By the 1500s, the empire begins to unravel.
Overview
Assessment

14. The Aztecs Control Central Mexico Overview 3 • obsidian • Quetzalcoatl
HOME 3
The Aztecs Control
Central Mexico
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• obsidian
• Quetzalcoatl
• Triple Alliance
• Montezuma II
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Through alliances and conquest, the Aztecs created a powerful empire in Mexico.
This time period saw the origins of one of the 20th century’s most populous cities, Mexico City.
Assessment

15. The Aztecs Control Central Mexico 3 3
HOME 3
The Aztecs Control
Central Mexico
Section 3
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Describe the main events that led to the establishment and growth of the Aztec Empire.
Arrive in Valley of Mexico
Build Tenochtitlan
Form the Triple Alliance
Conquer many lands
continued . . .

16. The Aztecs Control Central Mexico 3 3
HOME 3
The Aztecs Control
Central Mexico
Section 3
Assessment
2. How did the Aztec need for victims for sacrifice lead to problems controlling the empire? THINK ABOUT
• reactions of the conquered peoples
• changes in army tactics
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
• Demands for victims for sacrifice aroused the hatred of the conquered peoples.
• The goal of the army was to capture their enemies, not kill them.
• After a time, a number of provinces rebelled against Aztec rule.
End of Section 3

17. The Inca Create a Mountain Empire Key Idea 4
HOME 4
The Inca Create a
Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
Key Idea
In the Peruvian Andes, the Inca in the 1400s establish the largest empire in the Americas. They create a highly controlled economy and an official religion. In the early 1500s, civil war weakens the empire.
Overview
Assessment

18. The Inca Create a Mountain Empire Overview 4 • Pachacuti • ayllu
HOME 4
The Inca Create a
Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Pachacuti
• ayllu
• mita
• quipu
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The Inca built a vast empire supported by taxes, governed by a bureaucracy, and linked by extensive road systems.
The Inca system of government was similar to some socialist govern-ments in the 20th century.
Assessment

19. The Inca Create a Mountain Empire 4 4
HOME 4
The Inca Create a
Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
Section 4
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Explain the methods the Inca used to build a vast empire and unify it under their control.
The Inca built a vast empire, which was largely unified under their control.
Subject peoples kept their rulers and customs.
Incan cities built in conquered lands
Economic activity controlled
Incan schools founded
Extensive road system built
Single official language used
Empire’s units ruled by central Bureaucracy
continued . . .

20. The Inca Create a Mountain Empire 4 4
HOME 4
The Inca Create a
Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
Section 4
Assessment
2. Why do you think the Inca used the ayllu system as the basis for governing the people of the empire?
THINK ABOUT
• ways to control a large empire
• the ease of using a system that already existed
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
• The system was already in place.
• It allowed the Inca to organize thousands of people into manageable units.
• People viewed it as a traditional practice.
continued . . .

21. The Inca Create a Mountain Empire 4 4
HOME 4
The Inca Create a
Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
Section 4
Assessment
3. What were advantages and disadvantages of the Incan welfare state?
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
Advantages: All people cared for during good and bad times; offered stability 
Disadvantages: High taxes, forced labor for the state, no private economic activity, limited opportunity for advancement, less freedom
End of Section 4