Mayans, Aztecs and Incas
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Transcript of Mayans, Aztecs and Incas
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