Aztec 1200-1521 AD Location Central Mexico, Valley of Mexico Shallow lakes Many resources Fertile soil

Tenochtitlan The place where the eagle screams, where he spreads his wings; the place where he feeds, where the fish jump, where the serpents coil up and hiss! This shall be Mexico Tenochtitlan and many things shall happen!

Aztec 1200-1521 AD Government Emperor ruled with absolute power Power based on military conquest Local rulers governed their own regions Tribute paid to emperor

Aztec 1200-1521 AD Economy Extensive trade Agriculture on floating gardens Avocadoes Beans Chili peppers Corn Squash Tomatoes

Aztec 1200-1521 AD Society Emperor Nobles (Government Officials, Military Leaders, Religious Leaders) Commoners (Merchants, Soldiers, Artisans, Farmers) Slaves

Aztec 1200-1521 AD Religion Polytheistic Over 1,000 gods Elaborate religious festivals including song, dance, and drama Massive scale of human sacrifice to sun god (slaves, criminals, & conquered people) so the sun would rise the next day

Aztec Dance

Aztec 1200-1521 AD RISE FALL Unified culture Loyalty to the political and religious ruler Military conquest & tribute system brought land, power, & humans for sacrifice Too many resources used for religious activities Unrest & rebellion due to oppression Became less aggressive so they could capture live prisoners for sacrifice Spanish conquest

Shocking Facts

Warm-up #10.3 (16.3) They were used for sacrifices Why did conquered peoples resent Aztec rule? What things led to the decline of Mesoamerican civilizations? Military conquering and building alliances led to the growth of what Mesoamerican civilization? How did the Aztecs adapt to their environment? They were used for sacrifices Disease, invasion, and internal conflict Aztecs They irrigated and reclaimed swampland for farming

Inca 1438-1535 AD Location Valley of Cusco, South America Andes Mountains

Inca 1438-1535 AD Government Believed ruler was a descendant of the sun god Central bureaucracy Allowed conquered people to keep own customs if loyal but demanded tribute (labor) People cared for in good & bad times & gave work to the state in return (like socialism) Extensive road network linked all conquered territories to capital city, Cuzco Pachacuti was the most successful leader of the Inca

Inca 1438-1535 AD Economy Mita – All able bodied citizens were required to work for the state a certain number of days The government had total control over trade and commerce (no private trade) Terraced agriculture allowed for a wide variety of agricultural products

Inca 1438-1535 AD Society Ayllu (extended family group) basis of society Different social groups were marked by patterns on their clothing Ayllus were grouped by 10, and headed by a chief Mita- labor tribute

Inca 1438-1535 AD Religion Polytheism Small number of key nature spirits Virgins were used to assist priests in religious ceremony Sacrifice of llamas and offerings to priests & gods

Inca 1438-1535 AD RISE FALL Unified culture Loyalty to the political and religious ruler Empire was connected by an extensive series of roads (all roads led to Cuzco, the capital) Government cared for entire population Too many resources were used for religious activities Emperor died & his sons began to fight for control… leading to civil war Spanish conquest

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