Chapter 5

Mayans, Aztecs, and the Incas

Section 1- The Maya

Mesoamerica

Stretches from the central part of Mexico south to include part of northern Central America

Basically- Mexico and Central America

Geography and Early Maya Thick tropical forests

Cleared to farm Main crop was Maize- Corn

Forest provided resources Food

Deer, rabbits, and monkey Building Materials

Trees and other plants Lived in small villages

The Classic Age

Height of civilization 250-900 AD 40 Large cities No single ruler

Linked through trade Trade routes

Built temples and pyramids In Palenque, Pacal built a temple to

record his achievements

The Classic Age CONT…

Built Canals Used to get water into places where

none existed Terraces

Turning a hillside into stair steps for farming

Maya Culture

Social Structure

Religion

Social Structure King

Highest position Upper Class

Priests, rich merchants, and noble warriors

Lower Class Everyday people Did the farming, cooking, cleaning,

hunting

Religion

Worshiped Many Gods Sun god Moon god

Blood prevented disasters Sacrifices Offering of blood- Piercing

Achievements

Observatories Calendars

365 260

Writing system Created amazing works of art

Decline of Maya

Many possible reasons Lower class rebels More warfare Not enough food Drought

Or even a mix of several of these reasons

Section 2- The Aztecs

Building of an Empire

Farmers who migrated from the north War was a key factor to rise in Aztec

power Received goods from conquered people

Gold, cotton, food

Huge trade networks

Tenochtitlan

Causeways

Canals and Chinampas

Life in the Aztec Empire

Society

Religion and Warfare

Cultural Achievements

Society Aztec Emperor- Highest power

Attended to law, trade, tribute, and warfare Upper class

Tax collectors, judges and government officials You were born into this class

Upper Middle class- highly respected Warriors and priests

Middle Class Merchants and Artisans

Lower class Farmers and laborers

Religion

Worshiped many gods Believed to control nature and human

activities Human Sacrifices

Done to please the gods Most victims captives or slaves 10,000 a year

An average of 27.39 people a day!!!!!

Cultural Achievements Art and Beauty

Fine stone pyramids and statues Used gold, gems, and bright feathers to

make jewelry and masks Embroidered clothing

Knowledge Astronomy Historical records Riddles

Cortes Conquers the Aztecs

Late 1400s the conquistadors arrive in the Americas Montezuma II cautiously welcomes them

Gives gold and other gifts Cortez takes him prisoner anyways

Montezuma II killed Conquistadors driven out

Conquistadors return Gathered help Brought better army and weapons

Cannons, armor, swords Aztecs fall to smallpox

Section 3- The Incas

The Incas Create an Empire Same time as Aztecs

South America

Begin in small tribe in Andes Mountains

Cuzco became their capital

Central Rule

Did not want conquered people to have to much power New leaders Trained children

Official Language Quechua

All official business had to be done in this language

Well Organized Economy

Strictly controlled Each household told what to do

Everything went to the empire

Rations were divided by the government

Life in the Inca Empire

Social Division

Religion

Achievements

Social Divisions

Two main classes Upper Class

Emperor, government officials, and priests Lived in the best houses Wore the best clothes

Lower Class Farmers, artisans, and servants Plain clothes By law could not own more than needed

Religion

Rulers related to the sun god Believed they never really died

Sacrificed animals (lamas)

Achievements

Master builders Cut stone so well they needed no mortar Major network of roads

Art Pots Gold and silver jewelry

Pizarro Conquers the Incas

Atahualpa went to meet the conquistadors They attacked Atahualpa gave them a room of gold They killed him anyway

Spain took over and ruled for the next 300 years