Post on 03-Jan-2016
Aztecs and Incas1,000 BCE
1150
1325
1350
1440-1469
1471 – 1493
1493 - 1527
Toltec Empire
Collapsed of the Toltec Empire
Aztecs established in Mexico “Tenochtitlan”
Incas Established @ Cuzco Area*1434-1471 Inca’s Empire expanded under PachacutiMoctezuma I
Topac Yupanqui expanded/increased area
Huayna Capac expanded into Ecuador
Aztec civilization
• Located in arid valley in central Mexico
• Represented by Tenochtitlan• Ruled by an emperor
–”Nezhualcoyotl”• Economy based on agriculture—
sedentary people• Polytheistic religion, based on
warfare—Pyramids
Aztec Social Stratification /Social Gulf
Local life based on “capulli” or clans (7 clans that “founded” the Aztec)
Capulli governed by councils of family heads
Functions of capulli: 1. distribute land2. organize labor3. military unit4. maintain schools/temples
Political structureThe emperor
Prime MinisterGoverning Council
Governing: A tribute Empire—city state that recognized the Aztec supremacy were left alone to pay tribute.
Tributes had Economic and Political Functions
Provided food/land & trade items for the calpulli
City-state recognized whose in charge and prevented attacks; political dominance but not administratively
Economic Organization
1. Agricultural based “maize based economy”-creation of “chinampas”
2. Conquered area allowed to maintain their economy for tribute; sometimes land were redistributed.
3. Merchant class “pochteca” specialized in distant trading: cocao beans, gold, birds, turquoise, cotton, etc.
Incan civilization
• Located in the Andes Mountains of South America• Represented by Machu Picchu• Ruled by an emperor “Pachacuti” (1438-1471)
-Cuzco• Economy based on high-altitude agriculture• Polytheistic religion• Road system
Inca Social system“Inca Socialism”
Empire controlled by Inca “emperor/ruler”Nobilities were determined by the 10 royal ayllus (residents = nobles)
1. Small communities-self sufficiency2. Society was neither patriarchal nor
matriarchal; gender specific jobs but were seen as equal.
3. Culture focused on cooperation between men and women
4. Inequality = military service
Inca’s Political system
Complex Bureaucratic SystemEmpire dived into 4 provinces headed by a governor
Divided again into offices for adminstrationLocal levels: local rulers/headmen (“curacas”)
System of “Reciprocity and Hierarchy”
State control region; build roads/irrigation Incas ruleLocals “reciprocate” by providing labor/loyalty
Polytheistic Religion Aztecs & Inca (Lots of gods similar to India’s)
Aztec1. God of fertility “Tlaloc”2. God of creation “Ometecuhtli and
Omecihuatl”3. God of war “Huitzilopochtil” (the Sun
GOD)
Inca1. God of creation “Viracocha”2. Sun god “Inti”3. Goddess of the moon “Mama Quilla”4. God of the earth “Pachamac”5. God of death “Supai”
Offering made to appease the Gods; Animals/people sacrificed
Comparative
1. Imperial and military organization2. Agricultural organization & state redistribution of goods3. Kinship based institution: Ayllu (Inca); Calpulli (Aztec)4. Nobles = personnel of the state5. Allowed local leaders to rule/display loyalty6. Both ineffective against nomadic tribes; focused on
conquest of sedentary people7. Beliefs & social structure
Differences: • economic/trade –more prevalent in Aztec; Inca greater
metallurgical skills• Writing system• Social definition
Cities in Meso-America
TeotihuacanCulhuacanTexcocoTenochtitlanTlacopan
Cities in Inca Empire
CuzcoChan ChanTihuanacoChichen ItzaCajamarca