Worlds Apart: The Americas and Oceania

States and Empires of Mesoamerica and North America The peoples of North and South America, who had only fleeting contact with Asia, Africa, and Europe during the period 1000-1500 CE, did develop similar empires of highly structured governments, distinctive cultural and religious traditions, and elaborate trade networks.

States and Empires in Mesoamerica and North America The Toltecs Toltecs Dominant culture in central Mexico from 950-1150 CE Capital city was Tula with population of 60,000 Grew crops of beans, maize, peppers, tomatoes, chilies, and cotton Large armies helped build a regional empire Trade network extended throughout the Gulf of Mexico By 1175 could no longer suppress civil strife between ethnic groups or defend themselves from northwest Mexico’s nomadic invaders.

States and Empires in Mesoamerica and North America The Mexica Mexica, often referred to as the Aztecs, arrived in central Mexico about the middle of the thirteenth century. Known for being disorderly (kidnapping women, etc) 1345 CE settle in the marsh region of Lake Texcoco and founded the capital city of Tenochtitlan Developed an extremely productive Agricultural system based on floating gardens called chinampas. Early 1400s – Under the leadership of Itzcoatl and then Moctezuma, the Aztecs expanded throughout much of Mesoamerica via military campaigns. Motivated by quest for food crops, textiles, jewelry, obsidian knives, cacao, and rubber Flow into the capital city and into the hands of the Aztec elites No centralized bureaucracy… Left local affairs to local people as their reputation for fierceness kept most subjects in line

States and Empires In Mesoamerica and North America Mexica Society Patriarchal Women’s primary role was to give birth to warriors Death during childbirth considered the same as death in battle Hierarchical Accomplished Warriors – Great material wealth and power Priestly class – Wealthy and well educated Artisans and Merchants Commoners – Farmed on the chinampas, and land was distributed to them by calpulli (organized community groups) Slaves – Mexica themselves, most were criminals or were sold into slavery out of their family’s financial needs.

States and Empires in Mesoamerica and North America Mexica Religion Believed in and practiced many of the same religious traditions as the early Mesoamerican cultures Engaged in ritualized bloodletting and human sacrifice because of their belief that their pantheon (many gods) had shed blood to create the earth, the sun, and rain, and therefore they must give back blood in return. Sacrificed criminals, prisoners of war, and Mexica people

States and Empires of Mesoamerica and North America Peoples and Societies of the North Most of the peoples of North America lived in hunting, gathering, and foraging societies. Some built large scale agricultural societies Pueblo and Navajo – Maize crops Iroquois – Agricultural regions east of the Mississippi Mound-builders on the eastern half of the U.S. None of these societies left written records, but archeological evidence suggests that these societies were linked by trade and characterized by a range of social class.

States and Empires in South America Since there was no tradition of writing in South America prior to Spanish arrival, knowledge about those empires comes mostly from archaeological evidence and from information recorded by Spanish conquerors. Complex societies had existed her since c. 1000 BCE By 1000 CE secular governments were becoming increasingly powerful, and by the end of the fifteenth century, the Incas built the largest empire South America had ever seen.

States and Empires of South America The Coming of the Incas By the late fifteenth century the Inca empire stretched from the Pacific to the limits of the Amazon rainforest and from modern Ecuador to Argentina, with a population of more than eleven million people. Cuzco was their capital Had over 10,000 miles of road systems to enhance trade and communication Kept detailed records of population, tax rolls and receipts, labor services, and historical information.

States and Empires in South America Inca Society and Religion Society Rulers – In theory, the chief ruler was an absolute and infallible deity descended from the sun, and he owned all the land, livestock, and property in his realm during his lifetime. Aristocrats Priests Peasants Religion Believed that their chief rulers, even in death, still had power and acted as intermediaries between the dead and the living.

The Societies of Oceania The peoples of Oceania built flourishing societies of their own, creating trade networks between hunting and gathering societies.

The Societies of Oceania Nomadic Foragers of Australia Australia’s aboriginal people never developed agriculture, despite having knowledge of it. Instead relied upon the bounties of the land. Traded frequently with the peoples of New Guinea and the islands of southeast Asia.

The Development of Pacific Island Societies By 1000 CE a surging population prompted social and political development in Pacific Island societies. Developments in agriculture and sea technology allowed this to occur. Lead to social stratification and hierarchies Religion Often worshiped gods of war and agriculture