Post-Classical Mesoamerican Societies
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Transcript of Post-Classical Mesoamerican Societies
Post-Classical Mesoamerican Post-Classical Mesoamerican SocietiesSocieties
QuestionQuestion
• What do we mean by the term “Mesoamerica”?• From Central Mexico to Honduras and
Nicaragua
Mesoamerican Post-Classical Mesoamerican Post-Classical Societies Societies
• Mayans (Pre-classical - 8th c.)• Toltecs (8th c. - 1150 CE)• Aztecs (1325-1521): defeated by Hernan
Cortes & local tribes• Incas (1438 - 1532) : defeated by
Francisco Pizarro & local tribes
Areas of the Aztec and Mayan Empires
Aztecs: Culture/Gov’tAztecs: Culture/Gov’t
• Advanced Cities - Tenochtitlan• Advanced Agriculture - Chinampas• Religion - polytheistic; male and female deities;
creator gods, fertility gods and gods of warfare and sacrifice
• Treatment of Conquered Territories - take land and pay taxes through food
• State-controlled economy
Aztecs: Social StructureAztecs: Social Structure
• Social Structure - more hierarchical over time
• Status of Women - work in fields; keep the household; weaving; elders trained younger girls; arranged marriages; could inherit property
The IncaThe Inca
The IncasThe Incas
• Origins - one of many tribes fighting for power in the Andes Mtns
• Empire known as “Twantinsuyu”
• 9-13 million people
The IncasThe Incas• Conquest
– Economic Gain (conquered peoples expected to provide work [mita], not necessarily tribute)
– Political Power (needed to expand in order to secure palace, land/wealth) [due to Split Inheritance]
• Religion– Ancestor Worship– Mummification
Government and PoliticsGovernment and Politics• Leader considered a godlike figure – Theocratic
– Capital in Cuzco– Organized Society into early form of Socialism (state provides/you work)
• Self Sufficient communities• Four provinces ruled by governor• Nobles in bureaucracy
– Local rulers [Curacas] could keep power if they were loyal– Local leaders did not have to pay tribute
• Unified language Quechua (not written, however)• Public works - roads, Irrigation• Split Inheritance
– All political power and titles of the ruler went to his successor
– Palaces, wealth is divided amongst male descendants
Cultural AchievementsCultural Achievements• Art – Metallurgy (bronze, gold,
silver), pottery• Nobles distinguished by dress &
jewelry (orejones = ‘big ears’)• Math – counting system (quipo)• Infrastructure was greatest
achievement– Roads– Public buildings – (Tambos = Waystations)– Terraced farming
Economic Economic AchievementsAchievements
• Socialist System allowed communities to be self-sufficient
• Trade was far less important in the Andean Valley societies
Aztecs v. IncasAztecs v. Incas• Similar
– Intensive Agriculture– State Controlled Economy– Strong Imperial Militaries– More complicated social
system develops over time– Bureaucracy of Nobility
(family-controlled)– Recognize local ethnic groups– Both were established by
conquering settled agricultural societies
– Both engaged in human sacrifice
• Different– Geography (Mesoamerica v.
Andes Mountains)– Aztec – more developed trade – Writing systems, use for metal
differed– Aztec - lasted longer– Incas had a very diverse
culture (more than 500 languages)
– Incas were highly organized/centralized
Summary: While there are some differences, there are many similarities, origins, political development
Aztec/Inca QuestionsAztec/Inca Questions• 1). How does the geography of the Aztec world impact its
development?• 2). Which of the two societies would you say is more
warlike? Why?• 3). How does the geography of the Incan world impact its
development?• 4). Explain three of the advances made by the
Amerindian societies.• 5). Explain the fall of either the Incan or Aztec society.
What are two causes of the fall and what was the final blow to the society that brought its destruction?