Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas

Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas

Unit 2: Background InformationUnit 2: Background Information

AgendaAgenda

Review three major civilizations that existed in Central and South America from 2000 B.C until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th centuray

Discuss cultures, achievements

MayasMayasThe empire stretched

from the Gulf of Mexico to present day Honduras

Height of empire was 600-900 AD

The empire stretched from the Gulf of Mexico

to present day Honduras

Height of empire was 600-900 AD

MayasMayasChichen Itza was an important city in the

empire and became a major market place

Chichen Itza was an important city in the

empire and became a major market place

The pyramid was used as a calendar: four stairways, each with 91 steps and a platform at the top, making a total of 365, equivalent to the number of days in a calendar year.

The pyramid was used as a calendar: four stairways, each with 91 steps and a platform at the top, making a total of 365, equivalent to the number of days in a calendar year.

Chichen ItzaChichen Itza

TikalTikal

PalenquePalenque

MayasMayasMost houses were made

of adobeMost houses were made

of adobe

MayasMayasThe Mayan economy was

based on agriculture. They grew maize,

squash, and beans, but they also grew cash crops like cotton.

They would travel great distances to trade their

goods

The Mayan economy was based on agriculture.

They grew maize, squash, and beans, but

they also grew cash crops like cotton.

They would travel great distances to trade their

goods

MayasMayasThey had hundreds of gods and goddesses.

They revolved around nature. Agriculture was important to the Maya

life so many of the gods were related to

agriculture.

They had hundreds of gods and goddesses.

They revolved around nature. Agriculture was important to the Maya

life so many of the gods were related to

agriculture.

MayasMayasThey had a system of

writing (using hieroglyphs) and books made from the bark of a fig tree called codices.

They had a system of writing (using

hieroglyphs) and books made from the bark of a fig tree called codices.

MayasMayasThey had amazing

knowledge of astronomy, creating an accurate calendar, plotting the

movements of the moon and sun, and calculating the revolution of Venus

around the sun.

They had amazing knowledge of astronomy,

creating an accurate calendar, plotting the

movements of the moon and sun, and calculating the revolution of Venus

around the sun.

AztecsAztecsThe empire was 80,000

square miles and stretched through

present day Central and South America

Height of power was between the 15th and early 16th centuries

The empire was 80,000 square miles and stretched through

present day Central and South America

Height of power was between the 15th and early 16th centuries

AztecsAztecsThe heart of the Aztec

Empire was Tenochtitlan. It was built on Lake

Texcoco and had roads and bridges leading into

the heart of the city.

The heart of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlan.

It was built on Lake Texcoco and had roads

and bridges leading into the heart of the city.

AztecsAztecsMost households were

made of adobe and contained an open area in the middle, a kitchen, a shrine to the gods, and

bath next door.

Most households were made of adobe and

contained an open area in the middle, a kitchen, a shrine to the gods, and

bath next door.

AztecsAztecsThe large population and limited land forced the

Aztecs to create floating farms called Chinampas.

The large population and limited land forced the

Aztecs to create floating farms called Chinampas.

AztecsAztecsThe Aztec had

a system of writing using

symbols

The Aztec had a system of

writing using symbols

AztecsAztecsThe Aztecs were a

warring culture. Warriors gained prominence and

status by performing well in battle. Young

men were trained at an early age to be warriors.

The Aztecs were a warring culture. Warriors gained prominence and

status by performing well in battle. Young

men were trained at an early age to be warriors.

AztecsAztecsThey had hundreds of gods and goddesses.

Like the Maya, the gods revolved around nature.

Agriculture was important to Aztec life so many of the gods

were related to agriculture. They often made human sacrifices

to please the gods.

They had hundreds of gods and goddesses.

Like the Maya, the gods revolved around nature.

Agriculture was important to Aztec life so many of the gods

were related to agriculture. They often made human sacrifices

to please the gods.

AztecsAztecsAccording to an Aztec myth, the white-faced

Quetzacuatl - was their most important god.

He is the god of intelligence and the god

of creation.

According to an Aztec myth, the white-faced

Quetzacuatl - was their most important god.

He is the god of intelligence and the god

of creation.

IncasIncasThe empire stretched 2,500 miles down the west coast of South

America. The Inca built roads stretching

throughout the empire.

Height of power between the 13th and early 16th centuries

The empire stretched 2,500 miles down the west coast of South

America. The Inca built roads stretching

throughout the empire.

Height of power between the 13th and early 16th centuries

IncasIncasThe Incas built their

cities on many types of geography. Some high in

the Andes and others along the coast

The Incas built their cities on many types of

geography. Some high in the Andes and others

along the coast

IncaIncaThe Incas built their

cities on many types of geography. Some high in

the Andes and others along the coast

The Incas built their cities on many types of

geography. Some high in the Andes and others

along the coast

TiwanakuTiwanaku

CuzcoCuzco

IncasIncasMost households were

made of stoneMost households were

made of stone

IncasIncasThe economy was based

on agriculture and mines. They mined

precious metals.

Just like Aztec society, people had to pay a

tribute (tax)

The economy was based on agriculture and mines. They mined

precious metals.

Just like Aztec society, people had to pay a

tribute (tax)

IncasIncasThe empire was filled

with mountains so a lot of the farming was done

on terraces.

In desert regions, water was brought through

irrigation systems

The empire was filled with mountains so a lot of the farming was done

on terraces.

In desert regions, water was brought through

irrigation systems

IncasIncasReligion was very important. They worshiped Viracocha.

They worshiped natural forces they called huacas. These were usually related to their

crops or agriculture.

Re

Religion was very important. They worshiped Viracocha.

They worshiped natural forces they called huacas. These were usually related to their

crops or agriculture.

Re

IncasIncasThey made exquisite

textiles for their families and sold them at the

market

They made exquisite textiles for their families

and sold them at the market

Comparing Cultures

Comparing Cultures

Based on Agriculture: These civilizations introduced chocolate (cocoa), tomato, potato, peppers, peanuts and several other foods to Europeans

They had a system of government with religious leaders and the rich at the top. In Aztec culture you could gain status by being a great warrior

The regular people paid taxes to the rich (fine metals and cocoa beans were used)

Temples to honor the gods and to make sacrifices to keep agriculture strong

They had great knowledge in mathematics and astronomy