1. SSWH8: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America. a) Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec and Inca empires. b)Compare the culture of the Americas including government, economy, religion and the arts of the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas. STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA & NORTH AMERICA (PRE-COLUMBIAN ERA)

2. 1)Tlacopan, Mexico. In 1431, the Aztecs forged an alliance with this northern kingdom and Texcoco to the east. The Triple Alliance defeated the eastern kingdoms of Tlaxcala and Huejotzingo, making the Aztecs the dominant rulers of central Mexico. STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA

3. 2) Texcoco, Mexico. This junior member of the Triple Alliance of 1431, with the Aztecs and Tlacopan to the west, benefited from Aztec dominance in the region. But it was also one of the first kingdoms to feel the wrath of Cortez and his anti-Aztec allies, as the Spanish conquistador made his scorched-earth march toward Tenochtitlan in 1520. STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA

4. 3) Tenochtitlan, Mexico. The Aztecs founded their capital city on an island in Lake Texacoco after seeing an eagle perched on a cactus. Today, the Venice- like city of canals, grand plazas, and temples is hidden by the modern construction of Mexico City, one of the world's largest settlements. STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA

6. Southwest United States Descendants of the Anasazi and Hohokam lived in small groups in the Southwest: 1) Zuni2) Hopi3) Pueblo These groups heavily dependent on corn. When men married, they joined the household of the bride’s mother. Work Men hunted, farmed, herded sheep, performed ceremonies and made moccasins. Women: take care of the house, crafted pottery and baskets, hauled water, helped men farm and construct houses. Kachina: Good Spirit that when boys turned 6 they joined the kachina cult. The Navajo and the Apache will migrate to this region from Northwest North America. PEOPLE & SOCIETIES OF THE NORTH

8. The Conquest of Mexico: Military expeditions led by conquistadores led to the creation of New Spain on the mainland of North and South America. Hernan Cortes vs Montezuma II (Aztecs) 1519 to 1522. Mexico City, was built on the site of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, served as New Spain’s principal headquarters.

9. South America: Spanish army captain Francisco Pizarro explores the west coast of South America and in 1526 he lands in Peru and encounters the Inca Empire. In 1532, the Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, was taken prisoner and eventually murdered after converting to Christianity. Pizarro ruled over the Inca Empire, creating Lima, Peru as the capital. INCA/PIZARRO

10. Horses Gunpowder weapons Divide &Conquer Tactics Smallpox & Measles REASONS FOR SPANISH SUCCESS:

11. GROUP CHARACTERISTICS  built sites with pyramids, mounds, and ball courts  created basalt sculptures  used slash-and-burn agriculture techniques  used a refined calendar  possessed a number system  complex writing and glyphs used  created a trading society that conquered area Indians  had strict class system  created society based on conquest and expansion  built complex cities and roads Olmec Mayan Aztec Inca

12. Montezuma I An Aztec High Priest An Eagle Warrior A peasant woman A Jaguar Warrior An Aztec boy An Aztec girl A Tlacopan Warrior You may use the following website: AZTEC (MEXICA) RESEARCH FOR HOMEWORK RESEARCH THE FOLLOWING: