1. Explain the Mayan governmental structure. 2. Describe the religious beliefs of the Mayan. 3. How was the Olmec’s economy and influence spread?

Standard 8 Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid

 SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.  a. Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca empires.  b. Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.

 Originally poor, nomadic people from the harsh deserts of northern Mexico  Created major civilization in the Valley of Mexico  Around 1200 arrived in Mexico and built Empire’s capital=Tenochtitlan in 1325  Modern-day Mexico-City  Civilization ruled by monarchs  Claimed they descended from gods

 According to Aztec legend, Aztec god of sun and warfare told the Aztecs to build their city where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake  Led to the creation of Tenochtitlan

green represents hope, white stands for purity, and red symbolizes the color of blood for those who have died fighting for Mexico's independence.

 Population: 200, ,000 people  Many roads and streets  Major marketplace to buy and sell goods  Massive walled, complex filled with palaces and temples  Great Temple: giant pyramid with 2 towers  Towers dedicated to sun god and rain god

 Government- Aztecs formed massive empire  Controlled it through 38 provinces  Received tribute from conquered peoples  Economy- survived on tribute and farming  “floating gardens”  (video)video

 (1) Kings  (2) Nobility  (3) Commoners  (4) Slaves

 Polytheistic  Sun god most important  Worshipped gods of other civilizations  Believed in an unending struggle between good and evil forces  Played major role in society  Made thousands of human sacrifices each year

 Believe sun god had to battle each night with evil forces to rise in the morning  Sun god needs human blood as nourishment to fight evil forces  Without regular sacrifices, sun god would be too weak to rise  Sacrifice 1000’s of victims at the Great Temple  Use prisoners of war, slaves, and criminals

 Like the Mayans, the Aztecs developed an accurate calendar & built advanced temples

 Around 1500, Aztecs began to decline  1502: Montezuma crowned Aztec emperor  Under his rule, the empire begins to weaken  Montezuma increases taxes and sacrifices  Angers many conquered tribes (video)video

 True demise of the Aztecs came when the Spanish discovered America and conquered Aztecs  1519: Spanish forces led by Hernan Cortes land at Veracruz, off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico (video)video  Montezuma welcomes the Spanish with open arms offering them gold and other gifts  Thinks Cortes was sun god

1. Cortes receives more troops 2. Spanish have horses, guns, and canons 3. Aztecs not immune to European diseases  Ex: Smallpox, flu, and typhoid fever  (video) (video)

 1000’s-1500’s: Rule South America near the Andes Mountains  Begin to extend empire with the leadership of Pachacuti (video)video

 Incan state built on war  All men required to join army  Empire divided into 4 quarters  Each quarter ruled by a governor  Quarters divided into provinces  Emperor rules entire empire  Thought he descended from gods

 Vast empire including 80 provinces  Ruled with tolerance  Unified empire with roads, schools, and common language  Economy- Incan gov’t controlled the economy  Required all citizens to farm for the good of the empire

 (1) King  (2) Nobility  (3) Ayllu (commoners)

 Build extensive system of roads  24,800 miles of roads extend to border of modern day Colombia  Build Machu Picchu  Machu Picchu: religious city built as retreat for Incan nobility and rulers  Around Urubamba River

 1520s- civil war divided and weakened Incan Empire  1531: Spanish arrive in Incan Empire led by Francisco Pizarro and conquer the empire  Brings gunpowder and horses  Incans have no immunities to European diseases (Smallpox)

 What are 2 theories for the decline of the Olmec?  Which was the most important god for the Aztecs?  Were the Aztecs polytheistic or monotheistic?  What were 3 ways Mayans honored their gods?

OlmecMayaAztecIncas Where Modern Nation(s) When Government Religion Economy Family Life Science / Architecture Relationship with neighbors Why did they fall? Who did the fall to? Major Cities