1. Section I: Early Civilizations of the Americas (Pages 198 - 205 ) This section is about: This section is about: The geography and the climate of the area known today as Latin America and how these influenced the development of early civilizations there. The geography and the climate of the area known today as Latin America and how these influenced the development of early civilizations there. Several significant early civilizations of the region, including the Olmecs, Mayas, and Aztecs. Several significant early civilizations of the region, including the Olmecs, Mayas, and Aztecs.

2. Before we start this new Chapter: Before we start this new Chapter: Look at pages 198-199 Look at pages 198-199 Let’s preview what’s in this Chapter Let’s preview what’s in this Chapter Let’s check out the picture Let’s check out the picture And, let’s read page 198 (from a Primary source) And, let’s read page 198 (from a Primary source) On the time line: we go back in history for a while On the time line: we go back in history for a while

3. Early civilizations lived in all parts of the Americas (North, Central, and South) Central America also includes Latin America

4. Why is this called Latin America? Most of the people in this area today speak a form of Spanish, Portuguese and/or French (all come from Latin). Most of the people in this area today speak a form of Spanish, Portuguese and/or French (all come from Latin). These areas at one time were all annexed (added) to land controlled by European countries. These areas at one time were all annexed (added) to land controlled by European countries.

5. The Geography of Latin America: Plains Plains Mountains: the Sierra Madres and the Andes Mountains: the Sierra Madres and the Andes Rain Forests: in the Amazon are the largest in the world Rain Forests: in the Amazon are the largest in the world Highland Plateaus: good for farming/grazing Highland Plateaus: good for farming/grazing Parts can get real hot and humid and some very cold Parts can get real hot and humid and some very cold

6. The First Americans Probably came across the ice covered (at the time) Bering Straits. Probably came across the ice covered (at the time) Bering Straits. Best guess right now: 13,000 years ago? Best guess right now: 13,000 years ago?

7. Just like everywhere else The early peoples stopped being nomads and slowly settled in groups, starting communities that ended up growing into complex societies. The early peoples stopped being nomads and slowly settled in groups, starting communities that ended up growing into complex societies. About 2500 BC: these people started successfully planting maize (corn) – a GREAT food About 2500 BC: these people started successfully planting maize (corn) – a GREAT food Corn uses today Foods containing corn

8. The Olmecs and the Zapotecs (are the oldest civilizations in the Americas) The Olmec People (1200 BC) Lived near the Gulf of Mexico Lived near the Gulf of Mexico Were fishermen and farmers. Were fishermen and farmers. Known for games they played (with rubber balls from the rubber trees), gigantic carved stone heads, and a calendar. Known for games they played (with rubber balls from the rubber trees), gigantic carved stone heads, and a calendar.

10. The Zapotec People (500 BC) Developed a writing system. Developed a writing system. Huge cities (125,000) with stone buildings, plazas, and ceremonial pyramids. Huge cities (125,000) with stone buildings, plazas, and ceremonial pyramids. Teotihuacan Teotihuacan People lived in stone apartments and would travel to farm outside the city each day. People lived in stone apartments and would travel to farm outside the city each day. Others: craft workers, artisans, builders, merchants, and warriors. Others: craft workers, artisans, builders, merchants, and warriors. Priests and rulers were in charge. Priests and rulers were in charge.

12. The Maya (300-900 AD) Lived in today’s Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula Most were peasants, laborers and farmers – also played sports (even a game like basketball) Most were peasants, laborers and farmers – also played sports (even a game like basketball) Had many city-states which were linked and worked together. Had many city-states which were linked and worked together. Wealthy Mayas owned slaves Wealthy Mayas owned slaves Priests were important (with their daily ceremonial pyramids for the Gods). Priests were important (with their daily ceremonial pyramids for the Gods). This included human sacrifices This included human sacrifices Most accurate calendar in the world (based off the sun), first to understand the idea of a zero. Most accurate calendar in the world (based off the sun), first to understand the idea of a zero. Developed writing using glyphs (pictures or symbols that represent words or ideas) Developed writing using glyphs (pictures or symbols that represent words or ideas)

14. The Toltecs (950-1200 AD) Lived north of where Mexico City is today in their capital of Tula (mining and trading) Lived north of where Mexico City is today in their capital of Tula (mining and trading) Worshipped Quetzacoatl (a feathered serpent who symbolized a union of Earth and sky). Worshipped Quetzacoatl (a feathered serpent who symbolized a union of Earth and sky). The civilization ended with a great fire around 1200 AD The civilization ended with a great fire around 1200 AD They always believed Quetzacoatl would return someday They always believed Quetzacoatl would return someday

15. The Aztecs moved into the same area as the Toltecs (about 1200) During the 1400’s, they began invading the peoples around them and forced them to pay tribute with maize, tobacco, gold, and precious stones. During the 1400’s, they began invading the peoples around them and forced them to pay tribute with maize, tobacco, gold, and precious stones. They also took POW’s (who became slaves). They also took POW’s (who became slaves). Most became human sacrifices (Aztecs believed it was an honor for them and their families). Most became human sacrifices (Aztecs believed it was an honor for them and their families). Lots of swampland, so they came up with chinampas (rafts filled with soil). Lots of swampland, so they came up with chinampas (rafts filled with soil). Boys went to school (to train for war). Girls were taught by their moms (to be weavers or priestesses) Boys went to school (to train for war). Girls were taught by their moms (to be weavers or priestesses)

19. It’s time to be an archeologist (page B) This is your farm. You’re digging around. You find this. Tell me about it.