The Americas 600-1450

Mexica (Aztecs) Part of the nomadic group that destroyed the Toltecs Mexica=cultural group Aztecs=empire the Mexica built Settled on an island in Lake Texcoco Provided defense 3 causeways to the island Built Tenochitilan Built chinampa Produce 7 crops a year

Empire Building Itzcotal and Montezuma I Conquered land and made them pay tribute Joined with Texcoco and Tlacopan Gained control of 12 million people with Tenochitilan leading the triple alliance

Tribute and Trade Tributes were often oppressive No bureaucracy or administration Local governments were to collect tribute No standing army Just gathered forces when needed Military so good that people were just scared of them At the height, 489 territories owed tribute

Social Structure Hierarchal Military elite recognized ALL males were potential warriors The best warriors would elect the ruler Laws regulated who could wear what Women No legal rights Honored for child bearing esp. if they have a son who becomes a warrior

Priests Special education Read omens and explained the world Advised rulers Some priest became rulers Montezuma II

Common People Organized into calpulli (clans) Worked on building projects Large number of slaves Some sold into it Some were criminals Some were captives

Artisans and Merchants Merchants who produced goods for the elite were honored Long distant traders were on their own

Religion Ball game 365 day calendar and 260 ritual calendar Quetzalcoatl Giver and taker of life Patron god of warriors Sacrifices Some criminals Some captives

Inca Settled near Lake Titicaca Pachacuit Gained control of a large portion of land By late 1400’s the empire was about 2,500 miles of land w/ population of 11.5 million

Politics Military and administrative elites Armies were comprised of conquered peoples Hostages from regional ruling classes forced to live at Cuzco If subject people were acting up, they would send colonist into the region

Roads Two main roads Combined length of 9,944 miles Official runners

Society Local handcrafted goods Gov’t controlled long-distant trade No merchant class developed Two groups Rulers and elites Royal mummies Commoners Lived in ayllu Compulsory labor system

Religion Main god: Inti (sun god) Cult priesthoods Sacrificed animals and agriculture-not humans Morality Taught good vs. evil Rewards and punishments in the afterlife Confession and penance