1. Civilizations of the Americas
The Maya A.D.
Aztec A.D.
Inca A.D.

2. Location
Aztec Empire – The Valley of Mexico located in the high plateau of central Mexico
Mayas – From the Yucatan in southern Mexico through much of Central America
Incas – western South America

3. Geography of the Americas

4. Type of Government
Aztec Empire – A single ruler, an emperor who was chosen by a council of nobles and priests.
Maya – Divided into city-states with a ruling chief for each city-state.
Inca – A “sapa inca” who was supreme ruler, owned everything and was divine.

5. Religion
Aztec – Polytheistic, priests were powerful; many human sacrifices to the god Quetzalcoatl who was the sun god. His giant pyramid towered above central Tenochtitlan.

6. Religion
Maya – Polytheistic; priests held power because only they could perform important ceremonies.
Priests held sacrifices on platforms of high temples while ordinary people watched from below.

7. Religion Inca – Polytheistic
The Ruler was also the chief religious leader.
Polytheistic; belief in many nature spirits
A powerful class of priests served the gods
Chosen Women – special attendants had honored role in Incan ritual.

8. Agriculture
Aztec – Farmed on “floating islands” or chinampas to create more farmland
Grew corn, squash and beans
Used canals and aqueducts for transportation.

9. Agriculture
Maya – slash and burn method: Cut down tropical forest; burn brush and spread ashes for fertilizer.
Grew corn, beans, squash, fruit trees, flowers
Incas – Used irrigation; grew 700 kinds of potatoes on mountain slopes; terrace farming.
Terrace farming because of mountains.

10. Advances
Aztecs – Had a calendar – excelled in math and astronomy; used herbs for medicine; priests recorded laws and history; extensive trade networks
Maya – Had a number system and zero; a calendar; bark books and used hieroglyphic writing

11. Advances Incas – Great Road System through the mountains
Roads helped army and messengers
Pottery/Weaving
Quipus-knotted ropes for record keeping
Calendar
Medicinal Herbs

12. Buildings/Cities Aztec – Tenochtitlan was the capital city.
It was located in Lake Texcoco and was connected to the mainland by causeways.
The city contained temples, palaces, zoos and floating gardens. It was the center of the empire

13. Buildings/Cities
Maya – Pyramid temples
Palaces
Carved Pillars

14. Buildings/Cities Inca - Ceremonial Centers
Stone building (can’t get a knife through the stones) and engineering
Cuzco - capital
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

15. Social Classes Aztec Maya Inca Emperor Priests Nobles Warriors
Commoners/
Farmers
Slaves (Criminals or POWs)
Ruling Chief of EACH CITY
Nobles (military leaders, directed public works and collected taxes)
(Sometimes women ruled)
Ruler/Priest
Nobles/Local Chiefs
Government Officials (kept records of taxes)
Strict regulations on job assignments and marriages

16. How Did the Empire End? Aztec Maya Inca
Montezuma defeated by Spanish conquistadors and Hernan Cortes in 1500 A.D.
Cities abandoned by 900 A.D.
Why?? Wars? Overpopulation?
Revolts?
The Mayan language still survives in S. Mexico and Guatemala
In 1525 the Emperor dies and his two sons fight for control. This weakens the empire making it easy for Francisco Pizarro to conquer in 1535 A.D.