West African Civilizations: Songhai Read page 266 of your packet (front & back) Who started the Songhai dynasty? What were the key factors in Songhai’s rise to power? How/Why did Songhai decline? What is subsistence farming? What ideas and technologies did the Bantu spread across Africa?

Civilizations of The Americas

Aztecs Government: Single ruler. Conquered many of the surrounding peoples (Aztec “Empire”) Adaptation to Environment: Built “Tenochtitlan” on Lake Texcoco engineered causeways & chinampas Social Classes: Ruler was the highest, Nobility, Warriors, Farmers, and then the Enslaved peoples were the lowest. Religious Beliefs: Rituals & ceremonies to please the gods: many sacrifices Learning: Priests recorded laws & histories, ran schools. The Aztecs had an accurate calendar, and made many advances in medicine.

Which statement best describes Aztec civilization at the time of the Encounter? Small groups of nomadic clans competed for food. Various ethnic groups had representation in a legislative body. Absence of a social class structure created unsettled living conditions. Advanced agricultural practices supported large urban centers.

Which situation was an immediate cause for the collapse of the Aztec civilization? disruption of overseas trade networks conquest by foreigners a series of crop failures a lack of military training

Incas Government: “Sapa Inca” exercised absolute power (telling his subjects who to marry, where to live, and what jobs to do) Unified Empire: The empire was united under one language, one religion, & an extensive road system. Allowed armies and news to travel swiftly Sophisticated cities: Cuzco & Machu Pichu Agriculture: Step-terraces built into the mountainside to cultivate corn, beans, and squash. Religion: Polytheistic, worshipping gods linked to nature. *Both the Aztec & Inca decline because of Spanish Invaders

The location of the Inca civilization of South America demonstrates the importance of trade with western Europe ability of humans to adapt the environment influence of cultural diversity complexity of indigenous belief systems

A key reason the Incas were able to control their large empire was that they outlawed human sacrifice formed a democratic government built a road system to connect distant areas and to move armies promoted literacy and mass education programs to teach loyalty to their subjects

Last Question … A study of the achievements of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures would show that they sustained dense populations through intensive agriculture engaged in an extensive exploration of the Pacific Ocean built vehicles with wheels to transport goods developed rice paper and wood-block printing

Reviewing Important Ideas: GENERAL QUESTIONS & THEMES: Be able to explain how the first people reached the Americas. Describe the main achievements of the Mayan civilization. Explain how the Aztecs build a large and powerful empire. Explain how the Incas ruled such a vast region. BOOK QUESTIONS: Page 174 “Reviewing Facts” #1, 3, 4 Page 174 “Critical Thinking” #1 Page 175 “Analyzing Tables” #1, 2, 3

Computer Assignment: Prentice Hall (Textbook) site  Quizlet Chapter 6 Sections 1 & 2 Assessments Quizlet