1. Early Civilizations in Meso- America Ch. 11 Sec. 2

2. Essential Questions: TEKS WH6.A- B, WH27.B-C What are the political, social, economic & cultural characteristics of the Mayas, Incas & Aztecs? What impact did the Mayas, Incas & Aztecs have politically, culturally, socially, and economically? What contributions did each have make towards Astronomy, Math & Architectural engineering?

3. I. The Maya 300-900ad in C. America & S. Mexico Built temples, pyramids & complex calendar Political & Social structure City states governed by hereditary ruling class “descended from God” Always at war w/each other; captured became slaves or human sacrifice. video

4. I. The Maya cont’d Society: Townspeople (Artisans, officials, merchants), peasant farmers Men: fighting hunting Women: homemaking, raising children. Religion: -Mayan believed life was in the hands of a divine power. Human sacrifice was natural.

5. I. The Maya cont’d Writings and Calendars: Writing system based on hieroglyphics Spanish conquerors saw this as evil & destroyed almost all books. Mayan calendar was a complex system of living several worlds. Spanish destruction of Mayan culture helped end the civilization.

6. Aztec Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4 JabdIKx8s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_ wAHvHIntM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f33 2HpnpgkI&feature=related

7. II. Aztecs 1100-1500s ad Est. Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco The Legend 1325 under attack by another people and driven into a swamp they believe that the legend comes true. They est. here constructing temples, roadways, houses.

8. II. Aztecs cont’d semi-independent territories supported by the Aztec ruler in return for tribute. Political & Social Structures: -4 million Aztecs -Power in the monarch by God assisted by lords & gov’t officials -Society: Commoners (farmers), Indentured workers (landless labor contracted for work), Slaves (captured in war)

9. II. Aztecs cont’d Males @ young age were told to be warriors. Females @ young age were told to stay at home They were NOT EQUALS but women could own & inherit property and enter into contracts.

10. II. Aztecs cont’d Religion & Culture: -believed in many gods and the unending struggle between forces of good and evil. -The creation and destruction of 4 worlds and the birth of the 5 th -Human sacrifice was a form of appeasement.

11. II. Aztecs cont’d Destruction of Aztecs: European Invasion Local Alliances Disease