Mayans

Time Period

• 250 -1500 AD

Location

• Modern day MEXICO

• Yucatan Peninsula

Government

• Priests were sometimes rulers

• Aristocratic Nobility (Wealthy people ruled)

Economy

• Drained marshes to create more farmland

• Terrace farming (steps on hills)

• Traded honey, salt and cacao

• Cities were market places

• Obviously had a SURPLUS OF FOOD to support the population which led to……specialized JOBS

Language

• Hieroglyphs (symbols instead of letters)

• Carved on columns of temples & tombs

`Religion

• Priests were the MOST important people.

• Polytheistic

• 365-day calendar based on stars

• Pyramid temples

• Gods controlled nature and weather

Technology

• Advanced Math: use of number zero

• Master builders of cities

• Pyramids

• 2 calendars

• Weavers

• Terrace farming

Decline

• @ 900…Mayans began deserting their cities

• By 1500, Spaniards had conquered what was left

Aztecs

Time Period

• 1300-1520

Location

• Mexico

• Tenochtitlan “Place of the Prickly Pear”

• North and West of the Mayan Empire

Government

• Tenochtitlan…capital city

• 100,000 citizens

• Warriors

• Trade and Conquest

• Tribute (tax) was paid by conquered peoples

• Rigid class system that included slaves

Economy

• Well-stocked outdoor markets

• Chinampas…floating gardens (how humans interact w/environment)

• Corn, Squash, Beans, tomatoes, sweet potato

• Parks, zoos, schools, barbershops

• Traded far distances

Language

• Record-keeping in books filled with bark pages

Religion

• Polytheistic

• Sun God was most important

• Priests kept a history of the Aztecs

• Priests were teachers

• HUMAN SACRIFICES to the gods

Technology

• Causeways: raised highways over water

• Aqueducts

• Stone pyramids

• Jewelry

• Chinampas

Decline

• Conquered by Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador in 1520.

Inca

Time Period

• 1200-1500

Location

• Andes Mts.

• Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina

• Largest Empire in MesoAmerica

Government

• Totalitarian: Ruler has TOTAL control

• Well-organized

• Powerful army of warriors

• Inca is the name given to the ruler

• Ruler controlled ALL goods and services

Economy

• Terrace Farming

• Food surplus allowed for specialized jobs

• Grew: corn, potatoes, cotton, squash, beans, cocao

• Llama and alpaca meat was eaten and used for labor

Language

• Newly conquered people had to learn the language

Religion

• Polytheistic

• Inti---Sun God was most highly revered and worshipped. Why?

Technology

• Irrigation• Canals• Extensive roads• Many bridges• Terrace farming• Stone steps on mountain sides• Stone houses with grass roofs• Drainage systems• Postal service

Decline

• Unrest throughout the empire after the 9th ruler (Inca) died…..left them weak and open for attack

• Conquered by Spain in early 1500’s

• Fransisco Pizarro conquers them.