2. Conquistadors and Pre- Columbian Civizaltion By: Michael Donnelly

3. STANDARDS 5.2 Identify the three major pre-Columbian civilizations that existed in Central and South America (Maya, Aztec, and Inca) and their locations. Describe their political structures, religious practices, and use of slaves. 5.4 Explain why the Aztec and Inca civilizations declined in the 16th century. A. the encounters between Cortez and Montezuma B. the encounters between Pizarro and the Incas C. the goals of the Spanish conquistadors D. the effects of European diseases, particularly smallpox, throughout the Western hemisphere

4. Aztecs They lived in Central Mexico. Tenochtitlan was their capital city, they built the capital in the middle of a lake. Their ruler was called Montezuma. They were Polytheistic, believed in many gods. Human sacrifice a lot. ecuip.lib.uchicago.edu

5. MAYAS Lived on the “Yucatan Peninsula”. Many major cities which makes them tougher to conquer. Had slaves, that could sometimes earn their freedom! Did not have a lot of gold. Polytheistic (believed in many gods)

6. Incas They lived in Peru, Andes Mts., located in South A. They lived in Peru, Andes Mts., located in South A. Polytheistic (belief in many gods) No written language (used knots).Polytheistic (belief in many gods) No written language (used knots). Sacrificed lamas. very important)Sacrificed lamas. very important) When Spanish arrived they were having a civil war When Spanish arrived they were having a civil war hss.fullerton.ed u

7. Cortez Captured Aztec capital with 500 men and 16 horses in 1519. Other native groups helped in capture. Spanish were driven away but in 1521 they captured all the Aztecs and killed Montezuma Aztecs believed he was Quetzacoatl a light skinned god who had disappeared years before. Cortez is one of the many Conquistadors from Spain en.wikipedia.org

8. Pizarro Kidnapped Atahualpa and held him for a ransom of gold and silver. Captured Incas and called the land “New Spanish”. Led 180 men and 27 horses into Peru. Came during time Incas were having a civil war for who would be the head Inca. (A civil war is one more than one group in the same country is fighting each other.)

9. What they did? Now a huge portion of the Central and South America speaks Spanish. Barely any Aztec,Maya,and Inca tradition today. Today the majority of the people are Christian. Destroyed Aztec capital and founded Mexico City on top of it.