Aim: What factors encouraged the rise of powerful civilizations in Mesoamerica? Do Now: A skeleton found in Brazil is believed to be 11,500 years old. How would this information contradict the theory that people first migrated from Siberia to Alaska 11,500 years ago?

I. Geography of the Americas 30,000 years ago Paleolithic hunters and food gatherers North America from Asia Great migration

II. Mesoamerica Agricultural Revolution Cultivate plants and domesticate animals 8500 B.C. – 2000 B.C. Neolithic people

II. Mesoamerica Early people settle in the Americas = Middle America (Mexico & Central America) Olmecs = earliest American civilization which emerged in the tropical forests along the Gulf of Mexico

III. Maya Influenced by the Olmecs 300 AD – Maya building large cities 300-900: Maya Golden Age Temples & Palaces Social Classes Advances in Learning Astronomy - Calendar

Mayan Ball Games Sporting competition based on religious beliefs Two teams Winners = showered with praise, riches and the gratitude of the crowd Losers = human sacrifice

Maya Collapse– 900 AD Why? Abondoned their cities – no one knows why. Most likely – frequent warfare, overpopulation, heavy taxes, peasant revolts Tulum & Chichen itza

IV. The Aztecs 1200-1521 Geography South-central Mexico Mountainous area. Tenochtitlan: Capital city Island in present day Mexico City. Chinampas: “floating gardens”

IV. The Aztecs II. Conquering Principals Conquered people could govern themselves. Had to pay tribute (tax) Enemy Soldiers were used as sacrifice. III. Religion Polytheistic – Over 1000 gods. Huitzilopochtli – Sun God Human sacrifice

Aim: How did the Incas build a complex civilization? Do Now: Starting a civilization in South America. Analyze the map and think about where your ideal location for a civilization would be. Turn to the person sitting next to you and explain your reasoning for selecting that location.

I. Origins South America Early Peoples of Peru Chavin Nazca Moche Foundation for Incas

I. Origins Andes Mtns. 1400s – Pachacuti Expansion 12 million people ‘Sapa Inca’ Expansion 12 million people Cuzco Capital “All roads led through Cuzco”

I. Origins How do the ruins of Machu Picchu show that the Incan empire was well organized and technologically advanced? Machu Picchu 7,000 ft. above sea level Rediscovered 1911

How do you unite 12 million people over this large empire?

II. Government Strong central government Official language Quechua Quipus

III. Economy Taxes = Labor Mita – labor tax system Terrace farming

VI. Religion Polytheistic Foundation of life = Religion Sun god Inti

VII. Culture

VIII. Decline Civil War 1530 Spaniards Hernan Cortes