Civilizations of the Americas

Mexico and Central America First cities began as religious centers (China?) Then developed into City-States Not built on major rivers No metal tools; no wheel (no big animals) No writing (except Maya) Mesoamerica

People arrived in the new world through a land-bridge

Early civilizations Olmecs B.C.E. “Rubber people” Settlements began as religious centers Stone heads Foundation for other Mesoamerican cultures

Teotihuacan- c C.E. Constructed massive ceremonial complex Large population Govt.: trade, administration, construction

Toltecs build religious center around the god Quetzalcoatl C.E. Aztecs- originally nomadic militaristic culture- constant warfare- human sacrifice to please gods (Quetzalcoatl also a major god) Example of? Capital: Tenochtitlan Destroyed by Spanish in 1521 Toltecs and Aztecs

Aztecs (Mexica) Power comes from alliances (political and military), control of water, and war- Originally nomadic mercenaries Tribute Empire- 1/4 Religion – little distinction between sacred and secular - often oppressive – sacrifices- religion meant to ensure political legitimacy Worship of the sun god is a Mesoamerican continuity Food – Chinampas (floating gardens)

Aztecs cont. Society – Classes based on gender, clan, and occupation (warriors had highest status); no wheel; high population (150,000); city on a lake New Aztec emperor had to conquer new territory to legitimize their rule Conquered by Spanish (Hernan Cortes) in 1519 Diseases, weapons, alliances with Aztec enemies

Chinampas

2500 B.C.E C.E. (Classic period C.E.) Mexico and Central America Influenced by Olmec, Teotihuacan City-state political structure- were independent and fought with each other Stratified society Great advances in science: concept of zero, astronomy (calendar), temples The Maya

Mayan temples were built to aid in astronomical observations

Maybe the most sophisticated calendar ever invented Actually 3 calendars 365 day solar year 260 day ritual year 5,125 years of world time calendar The Maya believed there were 5 worlds and that we are living in the fifth The Mayan Calendar

The solar year is exactly days In 1582, the Gregorian calendar calculated it at days, an error of.0003 per day The Maya calculated it at days, an error of.0002 per day Maya knew the time it took for the moon to orbit the earth Understood the concept of zero and place values Rome- 1848: MDCCCXLVIII Facts

Incas South America, capital at Cuzco Empire begins in 1430s Mit’a system (labor system)- 1/7 males for labor Had Llamas Extensive road networks (like Persians) All land owned by Inca state, then distributed Local chiefs allowed to govern (Persians) Highly stratified society (“you lookin’ at me?”)

Incas Sapa Inca- absolute power- had to secure new land and territory (like Aztecs) Society- integrated subject peoples, long-distance trade, domesticated animals Tribute state (like Aztecs) Worship the sun (like Aztecs) Geography- Andes Mts. – terraced farming Created a calendar (knowledge of astronomy) No sacrifices Conquered by Spanish (Francisco Pizarro) -1533

Terrace Farming

In Mesoamerica- Aztec empire; originally nomadic; semi-writing In South America- Incas; quipus; runners Both built on traditions of predecessors Similar social, economic, and religious systems Did Mesoamerica and South America engage in frequent contact through trade? Trade in the Americas