Mayans

Southern Mexico to El Salvador City-states linked through trade

Salt, flint, shells, honeyCraft goodCocoa beans as currency

Agriculture Maize, beans, squashSlash and burn

Mayan Religion

Polytheistic Pray and offerings of food Pierce body for blood offering to nourish

Gods Human sacrifice to please Gods and

balance world

Math Supports Religion Developed calendar, math, astronomy Day lucky or unlucky depending on God Based calendar off planets, sun and

moonBased on concept of zero, solar year

365.2420 days

Mayan Calendar

Decline of Mayans

Toltec's – invaders from Central Mexico War broke out in city-states

Disrupted trade, economic hardshipPopulation growthOver farming damage lands

○ Food shortages, famine and disease

Aztecs Poor, nomads from Northern Mexican

deserts Founded city of Tenochtitlan Based power on conquests and tribute

from conquered peopleLocal rulers govern own religionTributes of gold, maize, cacao beans, cotton

○ Destroy village if no tribute paid

Rise of Aztecs

Social classesEmperor – absolute powerNobles - Military leaders, priest and govt.

officialsCommoners – merchants, artisans, soldiers,

farmersSlaves

Tenochtitlan – city grows from tradeThree raised roads, Great Temple,

aqueducts

Aztec Religion

Public ceremonies Offerings to Gods, rituals

Calendar – religious festivals Sun God

Rise sun, nourished by bloodHuman sacrifice – priest carve out hearts of

POW’s atop Great Temple

New conquest to fulfill blood supply

Fall of Aztecs

MontezumaDemand more tributes and sacrificeCaused rebellion

Human resources funneled into religious activities

Need for prisoners, warfare less aggressive and deadly

Incas

Southern Peru Ruler was descended from sun god Worshipped dead rulers, mummies Military

Force only when necessaryOffer surrender before attacking,

○ Be able to keep own customs and rulers in exchange for loyalty to Incas

Inca Government

Central bureaucracy Official language, founded schools Ayllu – worked for common good, build

irrigation canals, farm, stored food Mita – all able-bodied citizens work for

number of days a year Road System

Govt. Cont. Total Economy

Regulated production and distribution of goods

Upper and lower land, producing what other could not

LandStateReligiousCommunity

Irrigation system – store water for dry weather

Religion and Decline of Incas Two calendars – gods who ruled the day

and time Nature spirits – moon, starts, thunder War

Enemy used roads to move troops

Elimination of welfare People unable to care for themselves