Early Civilizations in Mesoamerica Global Studies I Early Civilizations in Mesoamerica

December 23 Is there any truth to the Mesoamerican Mayan’s claim that the world will end on a specific date? On your paper Write “Doomsday 2012?” and then write your thoughts as they relate to this question.

Mesoamerica Middle America, the areas of Mexico and Central America that were civilized before the arrival of the Spanish

The Olmec lived in the lowlands along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico south of Veracruz Large cities were centers for religious rituals Colossal stone heads Declined and collapsed in 400 BC

The Maya Lived on the Yucatán Peninsula Built splendid temples and pyramids Explanations for decline include invasion, internal revolt, natural disaster, reduced crop yield

Mayan Political and Social Structures City-states governed by a hereditary ruling class Rulers claimed to be descended from gods Aided by nobles and scribes (priests) Townspeople Skilled artisans, officials, and merchants Peasant farmers were the majority of the population

Mayan Religion Believed that all life was in the hands of divine powers Itzamna (Lizard Dwelling) Supreme god Gods were ranked in order of importance Human sacrifices

Mayan Writings and Calendar Hieroglyphics Recorded important events in Mayan history Calendar based on a belief in cycles of creation and destruction Ends December 23, 2012

Mayan Language & Writing

The Toltec Lived northwest of present-day Mexico city Fierce and warlike Constructed pyramids and palaces Declined around 1200

The Aztec Capital at Tenochtitlán, presently Mexico City Collection of semi-independent territories governed by local lords Collected tribute, goods or money paid by conquered people to their conquerors

Aztec Political and Social Structure Ruler was a monarch assisted by a council of lords and government officials Commoners, indentured workers, and slaves Women were not equal to men, but were allowed to own and inherit property and enter into contracts also permitted to become priestesses

Aztec Religion and Culture Polytheistic Based on belief in unending struggle between good and evil Human sacrifices Monumental architecture massive pyramids

Destruction of Aztec Civilization 1519, Hernán Cortés and troops were welcomed by Aztec leader Montezuma Tensions arose and the Spanish took Montezuma hostage and pillaged Tenochtitlán 1520, Aztecs revolted against Spanish and drove them from the city European diseases and gunpowder killed many Aztecs

First to stand up and yell yahoo gets a treat! The End