1. Civilizations of the Americas
Section 1: Civilizations of Mesoamerica
Witness History Audio: Elite Warriors Uphold an Empire
People Settle in the Americas
People first migrated to the Americas sometime between 60,000 and 18,000 B.C. They may have crossed a land bridge into Alaska or come by boat. They domesticated plants and animals sometime between 8500 and 2000 B.C. By 3000 B.C. in South America and 1500 B.C. in Mesoamerica, farmers began settling in villages.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was the role of warfare in Aztec society?” (Warfare served to defend the empire and to capture humans for ritual sacrifice to the gods.) “What do the artifacts suggest about Aztec beliefs? (That they honored predatory animals and valued warfare.)
When showing Color Transparency 33, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Display Color Transparency 34 to show an example of the hieroglyphs and books created before the Spanish arrived.
Geography Interactive: Geography of the Americas
Note Taking Transparency 72A
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2. Civilizations of the Americas
Section 1: Civilizations of Mesoamerica
Civilization Arises With the Olmecs
The earliest American civilization was that of the Olmecs along Mexico’s Gulf Coast. This civilization arose in 1500 B.C. and influenced a wide area through trade. They invented a calendar and wrote with hieroglyphs.
Note Taking Transparency 72B
The Maya Build Widespread Civilization
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was the role of warfare in Aztec society?” (Warfare served to defend the empire and to capture humans for ritual sacrifice to the gods.) “What do the artifacts suggest about Aztec beliefs? (That they honored predatory animals and valued warfare.)
When showing Color Transparency 33, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Display Color Transparency 34 to show an example of the hieroglyphs and books created before the Spanish arrived.
By 300 B.C., Mayan cities such as El Mirador were appearing. The cities were mostly independent, although some were more powerful than others and carried great influence. Most Maya were farmers, who also worked on construction projects, Merchants, nobles, and rulers could grow rich through trade between city-states.
Geography Interactive: Cities of the Maya Realm
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3. Civilizations of the Americas
Section 1: Civilizations of Mesoamerica
Cultural Life of the Maya
Maya culture included advances in the arts, writing, astronomy, and mathematics. Maya cities centered around stone temples and palaces with sculptures on many of the buildings. The Maya system of writing told their history and described astronomical events and the rituals that were timed by them. Maya priests developed a 365-day calendar and used the concept of zero in their numbering system.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was the role of warfare in Aztec society?” (Warfare served to defend the empire and to capture humans for ritual sacrifice to the gods.) “What do the artifacts suggest about Aztec beliefs? (That they honored predatory animals and valued warfare.)
When showing Color Transparency 33, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Display Color Transparency 34 to show an example of the hieroglyphs and books created before the Spanish arrived.
Color Transparency 33: Maya Hieroglyphs
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4. Civilizations of the Americas
Section 1: Civilizations of Mesoamerica
The Aztec Empire Forms in Mexico
Around A.D. 1200, nomadic peoples who spoke the same language began to settle in the Valley of Mexico. We call these tribes the Aztecs. They founded their capital, Tenochtitlán, on an island in Lake Texcoco. They built floating gardens and created canals for transportation. The city was linked to the mainland by stone causeways. Aztec rule eventually spread across most of Mexico.
Color Transparency 34: Codex
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was the role of warfare in Aztec society?” (Warfare served to defend the empire and to capture humans for ritual sacrifice to the gods.) “What do the artifacts suggest about Aztec beliefs? (That they honored predatory animals and valued warfare.)
When showing Color Transparency 33, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Display Color Transparency 34 to show an example of the hieroglyphs and books created before the Spanish arrived.
Aztec Society Takes Shape
A single ruler reigned over the Aztec empire. Society had a class structure that valued nobles, priests, military leaders, and warriors. Traders became a powerful middle class, while farmers and slaves held the lowest status levels. Aztecs believed in many gods and performed human sacrifices in their honor.
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5. Civilizations of the Americas
Section 1: Civilizations of Mesoamerica
Looking Ahead
Not all of the people who had been conquered by the Aztecs were happy to be part of the empire. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they found many ready allies among the native peoples.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was the role of warfare in Aztec society?” (Warfare served to defend the empire and to capture humans for ritual sacrifice to the gods.) “What do the artifacts suggest about Aztec beliefs? (That they honored predatory animals and valued warfare.)
When showing Color Transparency 33, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Display Color Transparency 34 to show an example of the hieroglyphs and books created before the Spanish arrived.
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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6. Civilization of the Americas: Section 1
Note Taking Transparency 72A
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7. Civilization of the Americas: Section 1
Note Taking Transparency 72B
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8. Civilization of the Americas: Section 1
Color Transparency 33: Maya Hieroglyphics
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9. Civilization of the Americas: Section 1
Color Transparency 34: Codex
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10. Civilization of the Americas: Section 1
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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