The AmericasAztecs and Incas
(Chapter 11)
Religion
Economic
Cultural
Interactions
Political
Social Class and Gender
Aztecs vs. IncasAztecs IncasGovernment not as well
organized as Incan government
Less centralized than Incas
Lake/land rulersMaize was main cropExpansionists and highly
militaristic Trade and markets far
more developed than in Incan society
Very well organized compared to AztecsSet up bureaucratic
zones of controlCentralized more than
AztecsMountain-valley rulersMain crop were potatoesTrade and markets not
as well developed at those in Aztec society
Aztec and Incas- Map
Social Class and GenderMale dominated society; Priests very
important in societyWarriors were prized (Mainly Aztec Society)Slaves generally low on “totem pole”Merchant class did not existLacked nomadic herders unlike Europe, Asia,
and Africa
Social Class and Gender (Continued)
Some small, mobile kin-based groups of hunter-gatherers existed in Americas From Tierra Del Fuego to Canadian forests
Recognized local ethnic groups/political leaders Allowed variation, but must remain loyal and
pay tributeSocial organization often remained without
strong divisions
PoliticalTheocracy- Ruled by religionCulture represented success of military and
imperial organizationState organization was an image of societyNobles= Personnel of StateTried to create overarching political state and
integrate empire as a wholeEvident in Incas more than Aztecs
Incas had split inheritanceAll titles and political power went to successorWealth and land remained with male descendants
InteractionsAdapted well to varying environments
Ex. Aztecs built chinampas (“floating islands” and used for Aztec irrigation agriculture; Incas built dikes, dams, aqueducts, and terraced farming
Military power against nomadic peoples less effective
Civilization started from conquest of sedentary agriculture peopleThese people paid tribute and provided labor
CulturalToltec culture lay foundation and provides
establishmentStrongly militaristic and human sacrifices Aztecs rely on Toltecs mostOlmec and Mayan cultures also lay foundation
Have gods/goddesses; SacrificesAyllu and Calpulli transformed by social
hierarchy Were older kin-based institutions; Aztec clans
Economic Population of Americas estimated at 67,300
*See chart on following slide*Were conquerorsAgriculture widely spread by 1500
Combined with hunting and fishingOrganized by state, which accumulated
surplus, distributed to groups/social classesAztecs: Maize; Incas: PotatoesSlash and burn farming led to movement of
villages when production declined
Population- The AmericasPopulation Estimate for the Western Hemisphere
Area Population (thousands)North America 4,400
Mexico 21,400
Central America 5,650
Caribbean 5,850
Andes 11,500
Lowland South America 18,500
Total 67,300
ReligionMainly Animistic
Sees gods in many aspects of nature and wins favor of them to help and control nature
Have several gods, such as Gods of: rain, fire, water, corn, sky, and sun
Yearly festivals to honor these godsHeld the Sun God to be most important
Key Terms to KnowTenochtitlan- capital city of Aztec empireMontezuma I- became leader of Aztec
empire once it was establishedMontezuma II- last independent Aztec
emperor; killed during Hernán Cortés’s conquest of Tenochtitlan