MesoamericaOn the Eve of

Invasion

Native Groups of the

Americas

Aztecs

Mayas

The Peopling of the Americas

• Asian nomads cross the Bering Straight– Spread

throughout Americas 12,000 years ago

– Hunter-gatherers… eventually civilizations

The Olmecs• First Mesoamerican

civilization, 1200-400 B.C.– Known as the

“Rubber people” due to their harvesting of sap from rubber trees

– Agriculture and trade– Polytheism,

pyramids, sacrifice– Art: Colossal Heads

Giant Heads on Easter Island

Mayans• Mexican &

Central American rainforest

• Collection of city-states ruled by kings–Major city:

Chichen Itza (Yucatan Peninsula)

– Height of power: 250-900 AD

The Mayans Cont.• Social Order

– Upper class: Priests, nobles, warriors

– Lower class: Peasants• Paid taxes to king

(corn, or maize: sacred crop)

– No rights for women• Economy– Agriculture (with

irrigation projects)– Trade

Religion• Polytheism– Massive pyramids

honor gods and show power• Temple of the Giant

Jaguar (in Tikal)– Priests study time

cycles and predict the future. • If outlook is bad, then

sacrifices (animal or human) are offered to please the gods.

Human Sacrifice

Achievements• Hieroglyphic writing• Complex system of

spiritual and solar calendars

• Development of a number system

• Master astronomers• Roads• Architecture

• Capital: Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)

• Emperor rules with absolute power

• Fierce warriors conquer enemies– Provide slaves and

prisoners for sacrifice– Slaves earned rights to

buy freedom• Wealth from trade and

tribute payments (conquered towns supply Aztecs with goods)

Aztecs

Aztecs Cont.• Agriculture– Chinampa farms: Man-

made islands built of reeds and mud to provide more farm land

• Achievements– Causeways (roads)– Aqueducts to transport

water– Canals and dams

Religion

• Polytheistic religion– Chief god is the Sun god– Priests are very

important• Record knowledge and

run schools• Astronomers and

mathematicians• Perform daily religious

ceremonies– Religion based on

warfare– Massive pyramids honor

gods– Frequent sacrifices to

keep life going• The sun requires blood to

live.

The INCAS• Located in the Andes

Mountains of South America– Capital: Cuzco

• Power represented by Machu Picchu

• Ruled by an emperor• High-altitude agriculture• Polytheistic religion• Road system unifies

empire

Machu Picchu