1. Aztec Civilization
The Aztec civilizaton was composed of tribes of wandering warriors. Of these tribes, the Mexica was the most dominant. In fact, it was from this tribe that Mexico got its name!

2. The Aztec Capital
The Aztec Empire’s capital (Tenochtitlan) was located on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, in modern day Mexico City.

3. Tenochtitlan

4. The Empire
The Aztec empire began in the 14th century and grew until Spanish invasion in the 16th century
The Aztecs expanded their empire in the 1400’s by conquering other people in the region.
The Aztec believed it was honorable to die in battle for the war god Huitzilopochtili.

5. The Aztecs forced the people they conquered to pay tribute (taxes).
Due to these tributes, Tenochtitlan became a rich center of trade and learning.

6. What modern day countries would have been located within the Aztec empire?

7. Aztec Accomplishments
Trade/learning
Medicines
Astronomy, calendar
hieroglyphics

8. The Incas
People of the Sun

9. Rise of the Incas
The Incan empire began in Cuzco, a village that is now a city in Peru.
Cuzco, founded by Manco Capac (the 1st emperor) was the capital of the Incan empire.

10. Expanding Empire
The Inca Empire spread along the Western coast of South America.
What mountain range is located within the empire?
What modern day countries are located within the empire?

11. Machu Picchu
The “lost city” of Machu Picchu demonstrates the detailed stonework that has become a trademark of the Inca civilization.

12. Incan Achievements
Roads – Incas built 19,000 miles of roads to help govern the vast empire and assist in trade.

13. Achievements continued
Incas also built canals and aqueducts.
An aqueduct is a pipe or channel designed to carry water from a distant source.

14. The Incas did not have a written language.
To record information, Incas used quipus.
A quipu had a main cord with several colored strings attached to it. Each color stood for an item, and knots stood for numbers

15. Religion Similar to the Aztecs, the Incas believed in many gods.
The sun god, Inti, was very important.
The Incan moral code: ama suwa, ama llulla, ama quella
(do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy)

16. Farming The Incas increased farming by terracing steep slopes.
The road system also allowed easier distribution of food.
Why didn’t the Aztecs use terracing?

17. Incas Today The Incas were conquered by the Spanish in the 1500’s.
Descendants still live in the region and speak Quechua (the Incan language).