The Americas What’s going on over there? *During the last Ice Age, a natural land bridge connected Asian and North American continents.

The Americas What’s going on over there? *During the last Ice Age, a natural land bridge connected Asian and North American continents. Hunters following herds of animals were the first people to settle North America.

The Americas What’s going on over there? *During the last Ice Age, a natural land bridge connected Asian and North American continents. Hunters following herds of animals were the first people to settle North America. *This land bridge is called the Bering Strait. In North America, groups such as the Inuit, Hopewell, Iroquois, and Anasazi settled North America.

The Americas What’s going on over there? Hunters following herds of animals were the first people to settle North America. *This land bridge is called the Bering Strait. In North America, groups such as the Inuit, Hopewell, Iroquois, and Anasazi settled North America. *Mesoamerica is the name used for areas of Mexico and Central America.

The Americas What’s going on over there? Hunters following herds of animals were the first people to settle North America. *This land bridge is called the Bering Strait. In North America, groups such as the Inuit, Hopewell, Iroquois, and Anasazi settled North America. *Mesoamerica is the name used for areas of Mexico and Central America. The Olmec is the first known civilization in Mesoamerica.

The Americas What’s going on over there? *This land bridge is called the Bering Strait. In North America, groups such as the Inuit, Hopewell, Iroquois, and Anasazi settled North America. *Mesoamerica is the name used for areas of Mexico and Central America. The Olmec is the first known civilization in Mesoamerica. They farmed along the riverbanks in the lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Americas What’s going on over there? In North America, groups such as the Inuit, Hopewell, Iroquois, and Anasazi settled North America. *Mesoamerica is the name used for areas of Mexico and Central America. The Olmec is the first known civilization in Mesoamerica. They farmed along the riverbanks in the lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico. The Olmec had large cities that contained large pyramids and the also carved huge stone heads.

The Americas What’s going on over there? The Olmec is the first known civilization in Mesoamerica. They farmed along the riverbanks in the lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico. The Olmec had large cities that contained large pyramids and the also carved huge stone heads. Some of the heads are 10ft high and weigh 20 tons. The Olmec had no metal tools.

The Americas What’s going on over there? They farmed along the riverbanks in the lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico. The Olmec had large cities that contained large pyramids and the also carved huge stone heads. Some of the heads are 10ft high and weigh 20 tons. The Olmec had no metal tools. *The first major city in Mesoamerica was Teotihuacán or “Place of the Gods.” The main street was known as the “Avenue of the Dead.”

The Americas What’s going on over there? The Olmec had large cities that contained large pyramids and the also carved huge stone heads. Some of the heads are 10ft high and weigh 20 tons. The Olmec had no metal tools. *The first major city in Mesoamerica was Teotihuacán or “Place of the Gods.” The main street was known as the “Avenue of the Dead.” Teotihuacán was a trading center. Obsidian was highly prized.

The Americas What’s going on over there? *The first major city in Mesoamerica was Teotihuacán or “Place of the Gods.” The main street was known as the “Avenue of the Dead.” Teotihuacán was a trading center. Obsidian was highly prized. Goods were traded all throughout North and South America. *Around 800 CE the city was destroyed and abandoned. No one knows why.

The Americas The Mayans Teotihuacán was a trading center. Obsidian was highly prized. Goods were traded all throughout North and South America. *Around 800 CE the city was destroyed and abandoned. No one knows why. Further to the east the Mayan civilization flourished. *The Maya built pyramids, temples, and a highly accurate calendar.

The Americas The Mayans Goods were traded all throughout North and South America. *Around 800 CE the city was destroyed and abandoned. No one knows why. Further to the east the Mayan civilization flourished. *The Maya built pyramids, temples, and a highly accurate calendar. The Mayan were farming people and centered their culture in city-states.

The Americas The Mayans *Around 800 CE the city was destroyed and abandoned. No one knows why. Further to the east the Mayan civilization flourished. *The Maya built pyramids, temples, and a highly accurate calendar. The Mayan were farming people and centered their culture in city-states. Each city-state was ruled by a hereditary ruler. The rulers claimed they were descended from the gods.

The Americas The Mayans *The Maya built pyramids, temples, and a highly accurate calendar. The Mayan were farming people and centered their culture in city-states. Each city-state was ruled by a hereditary ruler. The rulers claimed they were descended from the gods. *The Maya worshipped their gods in various ways. They prayed and made offerings of flowers, food, and incense.

The Americas The Mayans The Mayan were farming people and centered their culture in city-states. Each city-state was ruled by a hereditary ruler. The rulers claimed they were descended from the gods. *The Maya worshipped their gods in various ways. The prayed and made offerings of flowers, food, and incense. They also pierced and cut their bodies, offering their blood.

The Americas The Mayans Each city-state was ruled by a hereditary ruler. The rulers claimed they were descended from the gods. *The Maya worshipped their gods in various ways. The prayed and made offerings of flowers, food, and incense. They also pierced and cut their bodies, offering their blood. Sometimes they even carried out human sacrifice, usually of captured enemies.

The Americas The Mayans *The Maya worshipped their gods in various ways. The prayed and made offerings of flowers, food, and incense. They also pierced and cut their bodies, offering their blood. Sometimes they even carried out human sacrifice, usually of captured enemies. *They believed that human sacrifice pleased the gods and kept the world in balance.

The Americas The Mayans Sometimes they even carried out human sacrifice, usually of captured enemies. *They believed that human sacrifice pleased the gods and kept the world in balance. *The Maya developed a 260 day religious calendar, which consisted of thirteen 20-day months.

The Americas The Mayans *They believed that human sacrifice pleased the gods and kept the world in balance. *The Maya developed a 260 day religious calendar, which consisted of thirteen 20-day months. A second 365 day solar calendar consisted of eighteen 20-day months, with a separate period of 5 days at the end.

The Americas The Mayans *The Maya developed a 260 day religious calendar, which consisted of thirteen 20-day months. A second 365 day solar calendar consisted of eighteen 20-day months, with a separate period of 5 days at the end. Mayan astronomers calculated the solar year to be 365.2420 days only .002 of a day short of what is accepted today. (Gregorian calendar calculates @ 365.2425) Solar year is actually 365.24219 What is more accurate?

The Maya had a base 20 number system. The Americas The Mayans A second 365 day solar calendar consisted of eighteen 20-day months, with a separate period of 5 days at the end. Mayan astronomers calculated the solar year to be 365.2420 days only .002 of a day short of what is accepted today. The Maya had a base 20 number system. (Gregorian calendar calculates @ 365.2425) Solar year is actually 365.24219 What is more accurate?

The Americas The Mayans Mayan astronomers calculated the solar year to be 365.2420 days only .002 of a day short of what is accepted today. The Maya had a base 20 number system. How are math, astronomy, and calendars related?

The Americas The Mayans Mayan astronomers calculated the solar year to be 365.2420 days only .002 of a day short of what is accepted today. The Maya had a base 20 number system. The Maya created the most advanced system of writing in the Americas. They used 800 glyphs. How are math, astronomy, and calendars related?

The Americas The Mayans The Maya had a base 20 number system. The Maya created the most advanced system of writing in the Americas. They used 800 glyphs. Summary How are math, astronomy, and calendars related?

The Americas The Toltec *The Toltec rose to power after the decline of the Maya.

The Americas The Toltec *The Toltec rose to power after the decline of the Maya. They were farming people. They irrigated the Tula River and supported a population between 40,000 to 60,000.

The Americas The Toltec *The Toltec rose to power after the decline of the Maya. They were farming people. They irrigated the Tula River and supported a population between 40,000 to 60,000. *Important to the Toltec religion was their god Quetzalcoatl.

The Americas The Toltec *The Toltec rose to power after the decline of the Maya. They were farming people. They irrigated the Tula River and supported a population between 40,000 to 60,000. *Important to the Toltec religion was their god Quetzalcoatl. This god had two forms. In one form he was the god of wind. In another he was a feathered serpent.

The Americas The Toltec They were farming people. They irrigated the Tula River and supported a population between 40,000 to 60,000. *Important to the Toltec religion was their god Quetzalcoatl. This god had two forms. In one form he was the god of wind. In another he was a feathered serpent. Their empire began to decline as a result of infighting.

The Americas The Toltec *Important to the Toltec religion was their god Quetzalcoatl. This god had two forms. In one form he was the god of wind. In another he was a feathered serpent. Their empire began to decline as a result of infighting. SUMMARY 2 sentences about the Toltec.

The Americas The Aztecs THE AZTEC STORY

The Americas The Aztecs THE AZTEC STORY

The Americas The Aztecs *The Aztec built their home in the swamps and islands of Lake Texcoco.

The Americas The Aztecs *The Aztec built their home in the swamps and islands of Lake Texcoco. The Aztec constructed temples, buildings, and houses. The Aztec consolidated their rule over much of modern Mexico.

The Americas The Aztecs The Aztec built their home in the swamps and islands of Lake Texcoco. The Aztec constructed temples, buildings, and houses. The Aztec consolidated their rule over much of modern Mexico. By 1500, as many as 4 million Aztecs lived in central Mexico.

The Americas The Aztecs *The Aztec built their home in the swamps and islands of Lake Texcoco. The Aztec constructed temples, buildings, and houses. The Aztec consolidated their rule over much of modern Mexico. By 1500, as many as 4 million Aztecs lived in central Mexico. *The Aztec state was authoritarian. The monarch, who claimed lineage with the gods, held all power.

The Americas The Aztecs The Aztec constructed temples, buildings, and houses. The Aztec consolidated their rule over much of modern Mexico. By 1500, as many as 4 million Aztecs lived in central Mexico. *The Aztec state was authoritarian. The monarch, who claimed lineage with the gods, held all power. A council of lords and gov. officials assisted the ruler.

The Americas The Aztecs The Aztec consolidated their rule over much of modern Mexico. By 1500, as many as 4 million Aztecs lived in central Mexico. *The Aztec state was authoritarian. The monarch, who claimed lineage with the gods, held all power. A council of lords and gov. officials assisted the ruler. Aztec culture stressed military service.

The Americas The Aztecs By 1500, as many as 4 million Aztecs lived in central Mexico. *The Aztec state was authoritarian. The monarch, who claimed lineage with the gods, held all power. A council of lords and gov. officials assisted the ruler. Aztec culture stressed military service. *The nobility, the elite of the society, held positions in government.

The Americas The Aztecs *The Aztec state was authoritarian. The monarch, who claimed lineage with the gods, held all power. A council of lords and gov. officials assisted the ruler. Aztec culture stressed military service. *The nobility, the elite of the society, held positions in government. * The rest of the population consisted of commoners, indentured workers, and slaves.

The Americas The Aztecs A council of lords and gov. officials assisted the ruler. Aztec culture stressed military service. *The nobility, the elite of the society, held positions in government. * The rest of the population consisted of commoners, indentured workers, and slaves. Summary

The Americas The Aztecs Aztec culture stressed military service. *The nobility, the elite of the society, held positions in government. * The rest of the population consisted of commoners, indentured workers, and slaves. Religion ruled Aztec life. Tenochitlán had hundreds of temples and religious statues. Summary

The Americas The Aztecs * The rest of the population consisted of commoners, indentured workers, and slaves. Religion ruled Aztec life. Tenochitlán had hundreds of temples and religious statues. *The Aztecs adopted many of the gods of the Mesoamerican people before them. For example, they worshipped Quetzalcoatl in many forms. Summary

The Americas The Aztecs * The rest of the population consisted Tenochitlán had hundreds of temples and religious statues. *The Aztecs adopted many of the gods of the Mesoamerican people before them. For example, they worshipped Quetzalcoatl in many forms. Aztecs performed many public religious festivals and ceremonies. Summary

The Americas The Aztecs *The Aztecs adopted many of the gods of the Mesoamerican people before them. For example, they worshipped Quetzalcoatl in many forms. Aztecs performed many public religious festivals and ceremonies. *The most important festival involved the sun god – Huitzilopochtli. According to the Aztec the sun god made the sun rise and set everyday.

The Americas The Aztecs Aztecs performed many public religious festivals and ceremonies. *The most important festival involved the sun god – Huitzilopochtli. According to the Aztec the sun god made the sun rise and set everyday. When the sun set he had to battle the forces of evil to get to the next day.

The Americas The Aztecs *The most important festival involved the sun god – Huitzilopochtli. According to the Aztec the sun god made the sun rise and set everyday. When the sun set he had to battle the forces of evil to get to the next day. To make sure that he was strong enough for battle he needed nourishment of human blood.

The Americas The Aztecs When the sun set he had to battle the forces of evil to get to the next day. To make sure that he was strong enough for battle he needed nourishment of human blood. Without the blood he would be too weak to battle. The sun would not rise and the world would be plunged into darkness.

The Americas The Aztecs When the sun set he had to battle the forces of evil to get to the next day. To make sure that he was strong enough for battle he needed nourishment of human blood. Without the blood he would be too weak to battle. The sun would not rise and the world would be plunged into darkness. Each year, thousands of victims were sacrificed to the sun god. Priests required a steady stream of captives.

The Americas The Aztecs Without the blood he would be too weak to battle. The sun would not rise and the world would be plunged into darkness. Each year, thousands of victims were sacrificed to the sun god. Priests required a steady stream of captives. Why did the Aztecs take so many military captives?

The Americas The Aztecs Each year, thousands of victims were sacrificed to the sun god. Priests required a steady stream of captives. As the Aztec empire grew they demanded more tributes from the people under their control. Why did the Aztecs take so many military captives?

The Americas The Aztecs Each year, thousands of victims were sacrificed to the sun god. Priests required a steady stream of captives. As the Aztec empire grew they demanded more tributes from the people under their control. *Resentment started to grow from the tribes subjected to Aztec rule. Why did the Aztecs take so many military captives?

The Americas The Aztecs Why did the Aztecs take so many military captives? As the Aztec empire grew they demanded more tributes from the people under their control. *Resentment started to grow from the tribes subjected to Aztec rule. SUMMARY

The Americas The Incas *In the late 1300s, the Inca were a community of located in the mountains of Peru.

The Americas The Incas *In the late 1300s, the Inca were a community of located in the mountains of Peru. The Inca were great builders, the best engineers of the Americas.

The Americas The Incas *In the late 1300s, the Inca were a community of located in the mountains of Peru. The Inca were great builders, the best engineers of the Americas. They built roadways over mountains and tunnels through them. Early Europeans were amazed.

The Americas The Incas *In the late 1300s, the Inca were a community of located in the mountains of Peru. The Inca were great builders, the best engineers of the Americas. They built roadways over mountains and tunnels through them. Early Europeans were amazed. Everything was built to withstand earthquakes.

The Americas The Incas *In the late 1300s, the Inca were a community of located in the mountains of Peru. The Inca were great builders, the best engineers of the Americas. They built roadways over mountains and tunnels through them. Early Europeans were amazed. Everything was built to withstand earthquakes. *Machu Pichu was their prize city.

The Americas The Incas Everything was built to withstand earthquakes. *Machu Pichu was their prize city.

The Americas The Incas Everything was built to withstand earthquakes. *Machu Pichu was their prize city. The Incas had no writing system.

The Americas The Incas Everything was built to withstand earthquakes. *Machu Pichu was their prize city. The Incas had no writing system. *Instead they kept records using quipu. A system of knotted strings used to keep records.

The Americas The Incas *Machu Pichu was their prize city. The Incas had no writing system. *Instead they kept records using quipu. A system of knotted strings used to keep records. The knots and their positions represented different categories of information. For example, red string were used to count warriors.

The Americas The Incas *Instead they kept records using quipu. A system of knotted strings used to keep records. The knots and their positions represented different categories of information. For example, red string were used to count warriors. Yellow string was used to count gold. *The Incan empire reached it’s height in the 1500s.

The Americas The Incas The knots and their positions represented different categories of information. For example, red string were used to count warriors. Yellow string was used to count gold. *The Incan empire reached it’s height in the 1500s. Diseases like small pox reached the Incas in the 1550s.

The Americas The Incas The knots and their positions represented different categories of information. For example, red string were used to count warriors. Yellow string was used to count gold. *The Incan empire reached it’s height in the 1500s. Diseases like small pox reached the Incas in the 1550s. Population declined and the Spanish exploited Incan weakness.

The Americas The Incas For example, red string were used to count warriors. Yellow string was used to count gold. *The Incan empire reached it’s height in the 1500s. Diseases like small pox reached the Incas in the 1550s. Population declined and the Spanish exploited Incan weakness. SUMMARY