1. Post-Classical Mesoamerican Societies

2. Question What do we mean by the term “Mesoamerica”? From Central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua

3. Mesoamerican Post-Classical Societies Mayans (Pre-classical - 8th c.) Toltecs (8th c. - 1150 CE) Aztecs (1325-1521): defeated by Hernan Cortes & local tribes Incas (1438 - 1532) : defeated by Francisco Pizarro & local tribes

4. Areas of the Aztec and Mayan Empires

5. Aztecs: Culture/Gov’t Advanced Cities - Tenochtitlan Advanced Agriculture - Chinampas Religion - polytheistic; male and female deities; creator gods, fertility gods and gods of warfare and sacrifice Treatment of Conquered Territories - take land and pay taxes through food State-controlled economy

6. Aztecs: Social Structure Social Structure - more hierarchical over time Status of Women - work in fields; keep the household; weaving; elders trained younger girls; arranged marriages; could inherit property

7. The Inca

8. The Incas Origins - one of many tribes fighting for power in the Andes Mtns Empire known as “Twantinsuyu” 9-13 million people

9. The Incas Conquest –Economic Gain –Political Power Religion –Ancestor Worship –Mummification

10. Government and Politics Leader considered a god - Theocratic Self Sufficient communities Four provinces ruled by governor Nobles in bureaucracy –Local rulers could keep power if they were loyal –Curacas Unified language (not written) Public works - roads, Irrigation Split Inheritance –All political power and titles of the ruler went to his successor –Palaces, wealth is divided amongst male descendants

11. Cultural Achievements Art – Metallurgy (bronze, gold, silver), pottery Math – counting system (quipo) Infrastructure was greatest achievement –Roads –Public buildings –Terraced farming

12. Aztecs v. Incas Similar –Intensive Agriculture –State Controlled Economy –Strong Imperial Militaries –More complicated social system develops over time –Bureaucracy of Nobility (family-controlled) –Recognize local ethnic groups –Both were established by conquering settled agricultural societies –Both engaged in human sacrifice Different –Geography (Mesoamerica v. Andes Mountains) –Aztec – more developed trade –Writing systems, use for metal differed –Aztec - lasted longer –Incas had a very diverse culture (more than 500 languages) –Incas were highly organized/centralized Summary: While there are some differences, there are many similarities, origins, political development

13. Aztec/Inca Questions 1). How does the geography of the Aztec world impact its development? 2). Which of the two societies would you say is more warlike? Why? 3). How does the geography of the Incan world impact its development? 4). Explain three of the advances made by the Amerindian societies. 5). Explain the fall of either the Incan or Aztec society. What are two causes of the fall and what was the final blow to the society that brought its destruction?