1. The Americas

2. Mexica (Aztecs) Part of the nomadic group that destroyed the Toltecs
Mexica=cultural group
Aztecs=empire the Mexica built
Settled on an island in Lake Texcoco
Provided defense
3 causeways to the island
Built Tenochitilan
Built chinampa
Produce 7 crops a year

4. Empire Building Itzcotal and Montezuma I
Conquered land and made them pay tribute
Joined with Texcoco and Tlacopan
Gained control of 12 million people with Tenochitilan leading the triple alliance

5. Tribute and Trade Tributes were often oppressive
No bureaucracy or administration
Local governments were to collect tribute
No standing army
Just gathered forces when needed
Military so good that people were just scared of them
At the height, 489 territories owed tribute

6. Social Structure Hierarchal Military elite recognized
ALL males were potential warriors
The best warriors would elect the ruler
Laws regulated who could wear what
Women
No legal rights
Honored for child bearing esp. if they have a son who becomes a warrior

7. Priests Special education Read omens and explained the world
Advised rulers
Some priest became rulers
Montezuma II

8. Common People Organized into calpulli (clans)
Worked on building projects
Large number of slaves
Some sold into it
Some were criminals
Some were captives

9. Artisans and Merchants
Merchants who produced goods for the elite were honored
Long distant traders were on their own

10. Religion Ball game 365 day calendar and 260 ritual calendar
Quetzalcoatl
Giver and taker of life
Patron god of warriors
Sacrifices
Some criminals
Some captives

11. Inca Settled near Lake Titicaca Pachacuit
Gained control of a large portion of land
By late 1400’s the empire was about 2,500 miles of land w/ population of 11.5 million

12. Politics Military and administrative elites
Armies were comprised of conquered peoples
Hostages from regional ruling classes forced to live at Cuzco
If subject people were acting up, they would send colonist into the region

13. Roads
Two main roads
Combined length of 9,944 miles
Official runners

14. Society Local handcrafted goods Gov’t controlled long-distant trade
No merchant class developed
Two groups
Rulers and elites
Royal mummies
Commoners
Lived in ayllu
Compulsory labor system

15. Religion Main god: Inti (sun god) Cult priesthoods
Sacrificed animals and agriculture-not humans
Morality
Taught good vs. evil
Rewards and punishments in the afterlife
Confession and penance