Chapter 11 The Western Hemisphere

Background  In the Western Hemisphere, civilizations began to appear around 1000 B.C.  These civilizations were divided into two categories: Mesoamerican and Andes Mountain cultures  In the Western Hemisphere, civilizations began to appear around 1000 B.C.  These civilizations were divided into two categories: Mesoamerican and Andes Mountain cultures

Background  Mesoamerican: Cultures from the region of Central America and Mexico  Andes Mountains: Cultures from the mountains of South America  Mesoamerican: Cultures from the region of Central America and Mexico  Andes Mountains: Cultures from the mountains of South America

Background  The American civilizations had little contact with one another  This resulted in little trade and a slow spread of ideas  The American cultures developed very slowly because of this  The American civilizations had little contact with one another  This resulted in little trade and a slow spread of ideas  The American cultures developed very slowly because of this

The Maya  The Maya had become a civilization by 300 A.D.  They lived in the rain forests of Mexico and Central America  The Maya had become a civilization by 300 A.D.  They lived in the rain forests of Mexico and Central America

The Maya  The Mayan economy was based on agriculture, with limited trade  They traded rarely, and usually only for jade and tropical bird feathers (both were prized by wealthy Mayans)  The Mayan economy was based on agriculture, with limited trade  They traded rarely, and usually only for jade and tropical bird feathers (both were prized by wealthy Mayans)

The Maya  They governed as a group of city- states  The city-states were ruled over by an emperor  The main cultural center of the Maya was the city complex of Chichen Itza  They governed as a group of city- states  The city-states were ruled over by an emperor  The main cultural center of the Maya was the city complex of Chichen Itza

The Maya  Mayan culture revolved around their polytheistic religion  The religion included frequent human sacrifice  Pyramids were common as their main temples  Mayan culture revolved around their polytheistic religion  The religion included frequent human sacrifice  Pyramids were common as their main temples

The Maya  They were the most advanced civilization in Mesoamerica  By 900 A.D. the Maya had developed:  A written language  A calendar  Sophisticated mathematics and astronomy  They were the most advanced civilization in Mesoamerica  By 900 A.D. the Maya had developed:  A written language  A calendar  Sophisticated mathematics and astronomy

The Maya  The Maya were gone by 1300 A.D.  The reason for their destruction is a mystery, though historians now believe it was a result of overpopulation, drought, disease, or a combination of those factors  The Maya were gone by 1300 A.D.  The reason for their destruction is a mystery, though historians now believe it was a result of overpopulation, drought, disease, or a combination of those factors

The Aztec  Aztec civilization developed after the Maya had fallen, in 1300 A.D.  The Aztec lived in the central valley of Mexico  Their capital city was Tenochtitlan  Aztec civilization developed after the Maya had fallen, in 1300 A.D.  The Aztec lived in the central valley of Mexico  Their capital city was Tenochtitlan

The Aztec  They were ruled over by an emperor  Power was delegated to officials who ran the empire  Economy based on agriculture and tribute from conquered peoples  Polytheistic religion: Pyramids, rituals  They were ruled over by an emperor  Power was delegated to officials who ran the empire  Economy based on agriculture and tribute from conquered peoples  Polytheistic religion: Pyramids, rituals

The Aztec  War was at the center of Aztec government and their polytheistic religion  The Aztec held frequent human sacrifices to inspire fear in their citizens and neighbors  War was at the center of Aztec government and their polytheistic religion  The Aztec held frequent human sacrifices to inspire fear in their citizens and neighbors

The Aztec  The Aztec were finally conquered in the 1500s when the Spanish arrived in the Americas

The Inca  Incan civilization was established in the 1400s A.D.  They lived in South America, in the northern Andes Mountains  Incan civilization was established in the 1400s A.D.  They lived in South America, in the northern Andes Mountains

The Inca  The Incan were like the Aztec in that they were warriors  They expanded their empire through conquest  Emperors ruled the Inca  Polytheistic Religion  The Incan were like the Aztec in that they were warriors  They expanded their empire through conquest  Emperors ruled the Inca  Polytheistic Religion

The Inca  To link their empire, the Inca built a complex system of roads  Farming was a challenge in the Andes Mountains. To meet this obstacle the Inca:  Built sophisticated irrigation canals  Terraced the hills and mountains  To link their empire, the Inca built a complex system of roads  Farming was a challenge in the Andes Mountains. To meet this obstacle the Inca:  Built sophisticated irrigation canals  Terraced the hills and mountains

The Inca  Their famous city was Machu Picchu, built high in the Andes Mountains  Its construction and abandonment are still a mystery  Their famous city was Machu Picchu, built high in the Andes Mountains  Its construction and abandonment are still a mystery

The Inca  The Inca, like the Aztec, were also conquered by the Spaniards in the 1500s

Importance of Geography  The Mesoamerican and South American cultures developed in isolation from the great civilizations of the world  Inventions would’t reach them until the Spanish conquests: iron, glass, gunpowder, the wheel, the alphabet, the plow, etc.  The Mesoamerican and South American cultures developed in isolation from the great civilizations of the world  Inventions would’t reach them until the Spanish conquests: iron, glass, gunpowder, the wheel, the alphabet, the plow, etc.

Importance of Geography  Long mountain chains running through South and Central America restricted the flow of goods/ideas

Importance of Geography  Agriculture was difficult due to terrain: jungles, swamps, and mountains are common in the region  Major crops included potatoes, squash, peppers, fruits, and most importantly maize (corn)  Agriculture was difficult due to terrain: jungles, swamps, and mountains are common in the region  Major crops included potatoes, squash, peppers, fruits, and most importantly maize (corn)

Importance of Geography  Crops were grown in mountains through the use of terraces  These consisted of flat areas dug into mountain sides to create space for crops  Crops were grown in mountains through the use of terraces  These consisted of flat areas dug into mountain sides to create space for crops

Importance of Geography  Large amounts of labor were needed for agriculture to support the large armies and upper classes  Labor was also necessary for the massive constructions projects such as: pyramids, roads, bridges, and terraces  Large amounts of labor were needed for agriculture to support the large armies and upper classes  Labor was also necessary for the massive constructions projects such as: pyramids, roads, bridges, and terraces

Next Chapter…. The Late Medieval Period