1. Learning Goal 2: Compare the major political, economic, social, cultural and technological developments of the Mayan, Incan and Aztec civilizations. (6A,27B)

2. Warm-up- Additional Vocab
Mercantilism- Economic system in which the main goal is to increase a nation's wealth by imposing government regulation concerning all of the nation's commercial interests
Capitalism- Economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations
Columbian Exchange-a period of cultural and biological exchanges between the New and Old Worlds.
Encomienda- legal system by which the Spanish crown attempted to define the status of the Indian population in its American colonies

3. The major political, economic, social, and cultural developments of:
Maya
Aztec
Inca
And…..
How did prior civilizations influence their development?

5. Maya
The Mayan civilization extended over the Yucatan Peninsula in modern day Mexico.
built monumental architecture
developed a written language
most advanced writing system in the ancient world
developed a system of mathematics
advanced astronomical observations
Developed a very accurate calendar system
(No, we are not all going to die at the end of the year!)
technically a classical civilization

6. Political developments
Mayan civilization established city-states, each ruled by a king or queen on Yucatan Peninsula around 5th century BCE and abandon the cities around 800CE
Economic developments
Extensive trade routes within their culture area
Cultivated maize (corn) using slash & burn agriculture
No large animals so most labor done by humans
Social developments
Polytheist
Rulers claimed to be descended from gods
Cities used as religious centers
Large pyramids built as temples
Blood sacrifice important religious practice
Human sacrifice practiced but not on a large scale

7. Aztec
The Aztec empire was centered around the city of Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City) built on an island in Lake Texcoco in what is now Central Mexico.
originally a nomadic tribe
pushed into the zone of sedentary agriculture
established an empire around 1325 CE
monumental architecture
pyramids, roads
densely populated cities
Tenochtitlan – as many as 300,000

8. Large Aztec empire based on tribute developed in 14th century
Political
Large Aztec empire based on tribute developed in 14th century
Ruled with kings/ priests
Created large urban centers and built extensive roads
Economic
Extensive trade routes
Maize most important crop
Use of cacao beans as currency
Cultural
Polytheist
Large pyramids built as temples
Human sacrifice important religious practice
Practiced on a MASSIVE scale

9. Inca
The Inca civilization arose in the early 13th century in modern day Peru and was centered around it’s capital of Cuzco.
established an empire in 1438
conquest & peaceful assimilation
largest empire in pre-Columbian Americas
monumental architecture
temples, roads, bridges
Machu Picchu – most famous Inca city
developed terrace farming

10. Political developments Large Incan empire built in the Andes mountains
System of government based on community cooperation and welfare
Rulers considered descendents of the sun
Large cities such as Cuzco and Machu Picchu
Economic developments
Extensive trading along roads in the Andes
Vertical trade network
Quipu record keeping system
census and harvest data
Breeding of llamas for wool and food
Terrace farming in vertical climate zones
Most labor done by humans
Quipu (key-poo)

11. Cultural developments Spoken language no written language used
Polytheist
Some human sacrifice practiced
Mummification
500 yr. old Incan mummy

12. How did prior civilizations influence their development?
Olmec ( BCE) art (colossal heads carved from stone), monumental architecture, and religion impacted the Mayans.
The Chavin ( BC) culture was advanced at weaving, pottery making, and metalworking practices that were later incorporated into Inca culture. Additionally the Chavin created an urban, class-stratified society and domesticated the llama.
Aztec culture was influenced by the war like Toltecs and the Aztecs were influenced by the Toltec city of Teotihuacan.
Olmec head
Chavin gold jug
Toltec warrior statues

13. Your Assignment
Answer the following question using the same method from last class
Take a stance.
Give 2 pieces of evidence that back up your stance!
Prompt: Based on the information learned today, which of the three pre-Columbian civilizations was the most advanced?
Remember to underline your stance and highlight your 2 pieces of evidence!