1. Maya, Aztec, and Inca

2. Maya Located in S. Mexico
Separated into city-states ruled by a god-king
Polytheism and human sacrifice
Develop an accurate calendar using astronomy
Major city at Tikal
Glyphs used for writing on codex (tree bark)
Food shortages and warfare lead to the Maya decline

4. Aztecs Great fighters Build Tennochtitlan as their capitol
Used Chinampas (floating islands) for farming

5. Aztec Religion Polytheistic Used Human Sacrifice and Terror
Cannibalism
The Sun god was the most important deity
Quetzalcoatl: feathered serpent, believed he would return

6. Aztec Life Agricultural Limited Technology Nobles dominated Society
Collected tribute from surrounding people

8. Inca Pachacuti expands the Inca empire in modern day Peru
Government divided territory into many smaller units to control
Government controlled most economic activity as well

9. Inca Religion Polytheistic with many nature spirits
Sun god was most important
Sacrificed animals, goods, and humans

10. Inca Rule Rulers were Divine (Theocratic) Ruled from the Cuzco
Collected Land and Labor from those conquered (Mita System)
All land was owned by the state

11. Inca Technology Known for their superior road building
Roads helped unify and connect the empire
Quipu used for Record Keeping
Demise
Civil war weakens the Inca empire, opening the door for Spanish invasion

13. Lack of Global Connections
Isolation kept them from key technology
No great world religion
No immunity to Afro-Eurasian diseases