TOLTECS, INCAS, AZTECS
TOLTECS Moved into southern Mexico from north around
time of Mayan collapse
Took over and expanded Mayan centers
Built capital city of Tula using Mayan architectural and construction techniques
Developed impressive metal-working industry Specialized in jewelry
Established trade network which stretched into northern South America
Civilization flourished for around 100 years Empire eventually fragmented into small
states, constantly fighting among themselves
AZTECS Also known as Mexicas
Originally a nomadic tribe from north Looking for “promised land” Found it in 1325 AD on island in middle of Lake
Texcoco in central Mexico
Built capital city on island Tenochtitlán
Rich mud of island home ideally suited for agriculture Produced abundant crops Standard of living increased dramatically
Were in high demand as mercenaries in wars between post-Toltec states
Rose rapidly Stepped into power vacuum and took over much of
central and coastal Mexico and northern Central America
TENOCHTITLAN Grew wealthy from
tribute from conquered territory
Turned city into magnificent place Canals served as
arteries of transportation
Aqueduct system for fresh water and sophisticated waste removal system
Huge temples and places
Brightly colored art
AZTEC RELIGION Two sets of gods
Nature gods Worshipped by
farmers Had shape of the
item the god controlled
Great gods of state Usually portrayed
as half human/half animal or as monster
Chief god was HuitzilopochtliGod of the sun
HUMAN SACRIFICE Believed that the world
had passed through four previous stages (“suns”) Each one destroyed
by catastrophe To prevent destruction
of fifth “sun”, Huitzilopochtli had to be appeased By feeding him
human hearts Aztecs therefore
sacrificed victims by ripping out their hearts and holding them up for Huitzilopochtli to symbolically eat
HOW OFTEN DID SACRIFICE TAKE PLACE Spanish claimed that
sacrifice was performed on a daily basis and that thousands were sacrificed on religious holidays Historians have used
this information to argue that it was the need to get victims that motivated Aztec conquests and their harsh legal code
Others claim Spanish exaggerated number of sacrifices to justify their conquest and destruction of Aztec civilization
AZTECS DECLINE
Spanish conquistador, Hernando Cortez, destroyed Aztec civilization in 1519Very tragic actWiped out a rich
and vigorous culture off the face of the map Enormous loss to
all civilized human beings
INCAS
South American Indian tribe
Known for their military Social structure very
strict Inca- head ruler and his
wives were supreme head of state
High priest and Army commander came next
merchants and artisans came next
Everyone else: who had no rights
RECORD KEEPING A khipu consists, minimally,
of a main cord from which pendant cords hang. (Pendants of pendants are called subsidiaries.)
Knots tied in the pendant cords and other modifications of the pendant are the commonest data-bearing or significant features.
Inka functionaries used cord records for censuses, inventories, tribute records, and documents about transactions; Spanish courts also accepted them as documents of record in early colonial times.
AGRICULTURE The comprehension of how irrigation can
benefit agriculture is evident by the expansion into the highland areas.
They developed drainage systems and canals to expand their crop resources.
Potatoes, tomatoes, cotton, peanuts and coca were among the many crops grown by the Inca.
Llama were used for meat and transportation.
There was more than enough resources available for everyone.
Cuzco- Capital city of the Inca
Macchu Picchu- The site of Machu Picchu was not discovered by
the Spanish during the Conquest. In fact, it wasn't known to the outside world until 1911 when an American Archeologist, Hiram Bingham, made the steep climb to a lofty saddle high above the Urubamba river.
The city is clearly laid out in sections. There is a "royal" section where the stone work is the finest, the rooms are largest and running baths are nearby. The bulk of the food for the inhabitants was grown on the agricultural terraces of the city.
CONQUERING OF THE INCA
Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistador arrived in Peru
Killed the Inca emperor Proceeded to ransack the city of Cuzco The 40,000 member army of the Inca was
destroyed by a 180 member Spanish conquistador army, which was commanded by Francisco Pizarro.
The warriors of the Inca were no match for the Spanish guns. By 1535, the Inca society was completely overthrown.
The Incas were probably weak due to contact with the Spanish and foreign diseases they brought from Europe
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