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