Chapter 6 Civilizations of the Americas 1400 B.C. - 1570 A.D. Civilizations of Middle America The World of the Incas Peoples of North America

Start Up: Critical Thinking: Look at your map How did the geographic location of early empires in the Americas differ from that of early empires in Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia?

300-900 ad Yucatan Peninsula Through Central America World of the Mayas 300-900 ad Yucatan Peninsula Through Central America

Relied on agriculture – Maize (corn) Built temples and palaces Largest structure in the Americas until 1903 NYC skyscraper Mayan Life Relied on agriculture – Maize (corn) Built temples and palaces

Mayan Social Class Traded honey, cocoa, feathers Ruling chief, nobles/military leaders, officials Priests held great power Farmers Hieroglyphic writing, math, astronomy, polytheistic Traded honey, cocoa, feathers Ruling Chief Nobles, officials Priests Farmers

Mayan Achievements Declined around 900 A.D. Hieroglyphic writing system Books and bark paper 365 day solar calendar Mathematics and astronomy Declined around 900 A.D.

THE AZTEC EMPIRE

The Aztecs 1200’s – valley of Mexico Well-planned city of Teotihuacan

Pyramid of the Sun is middle of left side. Plaza of the Moon and Avenue of the Dead. View from the Pyramid of the Moon. The size of the Pyramid of the Moon is 140mx150m at the base, 45.8m height. A.D.100-350. Pyramid of the Sun is middle of left side.

Tribute – payment from conquered peoples Help them build a great city How can this tribute be compared to the U.S.A.? Empire numbered 30 million by 1500

Aztec Society 1 single ruler chosen by nobles and priests Warriors, peasants, slaves Polytheistic – human sacrifices Continuous warfare in order to sacrifice

Something COOL Needed more farmland so they built CHINAMPAS Floating Gardens to produce more food

START UP January 9, 2007 Aztec REASON FOR DECLINE? 1500’s- guess…What do you think?

At the height of Aztec power, word reached Tenochtitlan that pale-skinned, bearded men had landed on the east coast. LATER- Chapter 16- Europe and the Americas

THE ANDES

The Inca’s Originated from the Chavin Pachacuti 1400’s A.D. Worshiped Jaguar/human gods Pachacuti Warrior leader and founder of INCAN CIVILIZATION 1400’s A.D. Inca civilization arose

Inca’s Cont…. Some Advancements Quipus recording method using beads Centralized gov’t – emperor held absolute power, warrior and chief religious leader Empire linked by roads, bridges and tunnels Metalworking—Alloy (blend) Brain Surgery Quipus recording method using beads Some Advancements

How about this for an advancement!!!!!!! Machu Picchu

TERRACE FARMING

Here Lies the Inca Civilization IN the End Here Lies the Inca Civilization Unknown plaque leads to CIVIL WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By 1525

What about North America?