1. SSWH 8
Demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.

2. The Americas

3. The Olmec Earliest American civilization Advanced political system
Headed by priests and nobles
Religious beliefs influenced later American civilizations
Polytheistic
Based on nature (animals)

4. The Maya

5. The Maya Lived on the Yucatan Peninsula Political Organization
Made up of independent city-states
Each city had its own king
Economic Organization
City-states connected through trade
Religious Organization
Polytheistic
Human Sacrifice

6. Maya Social Organization Intellectual Organization Majority farmers
Slaves
POWs
Intellectual Organization
Writing
Hieroglyphics
Ball Game
Game that held political and religious importance
Calendar
Astronomy and Mathematics

7. The Aztec

8. Aztec Lived in present-day Mexico Political Organization
Unified under one king
Capital at Tenochtitlan
Built in the middle of a lake
Conquered people and forced them to pay tribute (taxes)
Economic Organization
Engaged in long-distance trade

9. Aztec Religious Organization Social Organization
Same as Olmec and Maya
Human Sacrifice very important
Social Organization
Mostly farmers
Chinampas
Floating gardens for growing food
Priests very important
Traders made up the middle class

10. Aztec Intellectual Organization Calendar Knowledge of medicine
Hieroglyphic Writing

11. The Inca

12. Inca Lived in South America in Andes Mountains Political Organization
Centralized under one ruler
Inca means Emperor
Emperor seen as a God
Capital at Cuzco
Economic Organization
Limited trade because of mountains

13. Inca Religious Organization Social Organization
Similar to Aztecs
Social Organization
Majority Farmers
Terraces
Intellectual Organization
Medicine
Brain Surgery
Metalwork
Weaving
Quipu (Inca record keeping)
Incan Roads and Bridges (connected the Empire)