Mexico

Lesson 2: Creating a Mexican Culture

Mexixo’s Early Civilizations

Complete the Anticipation Guide on the bottom of page 2 in your packet.

ONLY COMPLETE THE BEFORE COLUMN

Essential Question:

How would you compare and contrast Mexico’s major cultural groups?

Do Now

In your notebook, define the following vocabulary words. Civilization InnovationMissionary

civilization

• A culture that has a complex economic, governing, and social system.

• More advanced in technology

innovation

• New ways of doing things.

missionary Religious teachers that came to

Mexico to teach the Roman Catholic religion.

Who were the early civilizations in Mexico? Turn to page 177. (Section on DVD) Read along with the narrator as he reads

about the Olmec Civilization. Assignment: Create an outline of the

Olmec Civilization

Who were the early civilizations in Mexico?

I. ____________ Civilization A. ____________

1. First settled along the coast of the ____________ of Mexico2. ____________ lived along the coastal rivers in villages in small houses made of

reeds and strawB. ____________ Society

1. Fished in the rivers and ____________ land 2. ____________ flooding watered crops and made the ____________ rich

C. Religion

1.

2.

a.

3.

D. Innovation

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

E. Spreading of Culture

1.

2.

3.

Who were the early civilizations in Mexico?

A. Settlement1. First settled along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico2. 1200 B.C. lived along the coastal rivers in villages in small houses made of

reeds and strawB. Farming Society

1. Fished in the rivers and farmed land 2. seasonal flooding watered crops and made the soil rich

I. Olmec Civilization

C. Religion

1. based on the forces of nature that affected

crops, artwork and carvings were used for

religious purposes.

2. worshipped many different gods

a. most important god, Jaguar, the rain god.

3. Villages became centers of religion and great

temples were made of huge stones for

worship.

Check your work from yesterday.

D. Innovation1. created a calendar2. used a form of picture writing3. carvings and artwork4. religious centers5. architecture6. technology

E. Spreading of Culture1. interacted with others through trade2. Maya and Aztec culture added to the Olmec innovations.3. referred to mother civilization

Who were the early civilizations in Mexico? Read about the Maya on page 178. Create an outline of the most important

information.

II. The MayaA. Settlement and Farming

1.

2.

3.

B. Tikal was the largest Mayan City1.

2.

3.

C. Innovations1.

2.

3.

D. History1.

2.

3.

II. The MayaA. Settlement and Farming

1. farming culture in the rainforest of what are now Belize, Guatemala,

Honduras, and southern Mexico2. 500 BC started to clear the forest

to farm more land and build cities. 3. Built more than 100 cities

B. Tikal was the largest Mayan City1. population 100, 000 people2. located on the Yucatan

Peninsula in what is now Guatemala

3. six large temples, shaped like a pyramid Jaguar carved on top.

C. Innovations1. created a 365 day calendar2. created a number system including zero3. used picture writing

D. History1. lasted more than 600 years2. by 900 AD some Mayan cities were left empty reclaimed by the surrounding rain forest3. Mayan culture has contributed to

the later civilization of Mexico

Read Page 179- The Aztecs

Complete the Outline on the Aztecs in your Lesson Packet

III. The ____________ A. ____________

1. AD 12002. Settled in the ___________of

____________ 3. well organized cities

B. ____________ 1. ____________ Aztec city2. population of ____________ by 14003. Located in ___________and southern

Mexico C. Culture

1. Included 5 ____________ people2. daily trips to the ____________ to trade3. ____________ language4. foods- ____________

III. The AztecsA. Settlement

1. AD 12002. Settled in the Valley of Mexico3. well organized cities

B. Tenochtitlan (Present day Mexico City) 1. largest Aztec city2. population of 300,000 by 14003. Located in central and southern Mexico

C. Culture1. Included 5 million people2. daily trips to the market to trade3. Nahuatl language4. foods- tortillas