Think about this Which empire was the most advanced; the Maya, Aztec, or Incan. –Can you answer...
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Transcript of Think about this Which empire was the most advanced; the Maya, Aztec, or Incan. –Can you answer...
Think about this Which empire was the most
advanced; the Maya, Aztec, or Incan. – Can you answer this question? With
facts? Why do I ask? You will see this
question again! (Hint, hint)
Location- Central America (present day Guatemala, Belize, and southeastern Mexico)
Environment- – Highlands- cool, mountainous– Lowlands- dry forest and jungles
Leaders and Major Cities Tikal, Chichen Itza- (city states ruled
by God-Kings, centers for religion and trade)
Pyramids, temples, stone carvings
Traits of the Civilization Good farmers- planted on raised beds
or hillsides. Grew maize, squash, beans, avocados,
melons, chili peppers. Traded with neighboring countries for
cotton, cacao (used as currency) , gold, jade, honey, salt.
Independent city states Wealthy and prosperous culture.
Culture/Religion
Pok-A-Tok- played on ball courts, object was to move a hard rubber ball with out using hands into rings on the wall. Game played to maintain sun, moon, and rain cycles.
Polytheism (many gods)-pierce themselves, human sacrifices thrown into lake. Kulkulkan main god.
Only priests and rulers allowed in the temples.
Achievements Developed 2 calendars (religious one
and daily one) Astronomy Math- zero writing used to record history on bark-
paper books (codex).
The Aztec Location- Mexico
Environment- Valley of Mexico, large lakes, fertile soil.
Leaders and major Cities
Tenochtitlan- capital, wide streets, canals, palaces, pyramids, busy markets, temples, aqueducts.
Montezuma- under him theempire weakened, demands more tributes and sacrifices, provinces rebel. Downfall tothe Spanish (Cortez)
Traits of the Civilization CALLED THEMSELVES Mexica. Military conquerors, demanded
tributes. Powerful army. Highly structured society. Religion very important- must please
Gods. Massive sacrifices.
Culture and Religion Sun God- needed steady supply of
blood/hearts to rise; thousands sacrificed by having heart cut out (usually prisoners).
Quetzalcoatl- feathered serpent God—didn’t need flesh, food was given in sacrifice for him.– Actually helped the Spaniards bring down the
Aztecs. People thought Cortez was Quetzalcoatl.
Interesting fact
As many as 20,000 people were
sacrificed in one day at the great temple in
TENOCHTITLAN.
Achievements 2 calendars like Mayans- determined
religious actions (tributes, worship).
Used fertilizers and irrigation systems.
Chinampas- “floating islands” to grow maize and beans.
Chinampas
LOCATION- Peru
Environment- Andes Mountains
Leaders and major cities Pachacuti- expanded empire 2500 miles
along coast- 16 million people, didn’t have a council of advisors.
Cuzco- heart of empire, streets, stone houses, temples.– Machu Picchu- religious center
Runners often carried messages to distant parts of the empire. They had no writing
system though. So how’d they do it?
Traits of a civilization Powerful military, force only when
necessary. Good diplomats- gain loyalty from
enemies. Gov’t creates unity with language and
architecture.
Culture and Religion Labor tribute- everyone work for x days Everyone has a job Make sure everyone has enough food. No writing system- oral history King- descendent of sun god Worshiped fewer gods than Aztecs. Llamas and alpacas.
Even the physically and mentally
disabled were given daily tasks that were attuned to
their capabilities. One of these tasks was chewing maize or corn and spitting
it back into a big bowl. By letting this substance ferment the Inca made their
own special corn beer called Chicha
which they drank on festive occasions.
Achievements Extensive road system,
bridges Fine stone masons (no
iron tools or wheel). Quipa- accounting tool
What happened to the M,A,I?
Mayans- by 800’s abandoned their cities.
Aztecs- 1521 conquered by Cortez (Spanish conquistador), guns and disease.
Incas- 1532 Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured Emperor Atahualpa and stole over 24 tons of gold.
Mayans vs. Aztecs vs. Incas
With a partner, decide why the ________ are the most advanced and sophisticated empire.
On a post-it, justify your answer by providing 3 reasons.
Share with your answer with
another partner group and
put your post-it on the board.