Comparing Mayans, Aztecs, Incas

Maya  Political-  City-States  Chiefs were ½ God ½ Ruler  Economic-  Trade between city-states often used Cocao beans as money  Social-  God-King  Cultural-  Human scarifies--Astronomy  Writing system--Calendar

Aztec  Political-  conquered neighboring peoples  Built an empire  Economic-  Traded within empire and with neighbors  Often used Cocoa beans as money  Social-  Emperor  nobles  commoners  slaves  Cultural-  Human sacrifices

Incas  Political-  Empire/theocracy  Economic-  Bartered locally  Traded long-distance with use of roads  Social-  Ruler  nobles  priests  commoners  Cultural  Social welfare-state cares for all people

Effects of exploration  Aztecs-  Spanish had better weapons  Spanish used the Aztec’s enemies against them  Aztecs were wiped out by small pox  Cortés made the conquered Aztecs build Mexico City on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlán

Effects of exploration  Incas-  People were unable to care for themselves with the elimination of the welfare state Click on picture for a Horrible Histories