1. Chapter 7: Civilizations of the Americas

2. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Geography: The Americas
30,000 years ago, small family groups of Paleolithic hunters and good gatherers reached North America from Asia.
Great Migration…last ice age
Water froze…sea level dropped exposed a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska.
10,000 BC…Earth grew warmer..ice melted…covering the land bridge

3. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Geography: The Americas
North America
The Rocky Mountains
Middle (Central) America
East Sierra Madre
West Sierra Madre
South America
Andes
2 of the 3 longest rivers on Earth are located in the Americas…what are they?

4. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Agricultural Revolution
Farming may have been a response to the disappearance of large mammals.
Had to cultivate the land and domesticate the animals.
Farming people settled into villages…population expanded and developed into cities.

5. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Legacy of the Olmecs
Tropical forests along the Mexican Gulf Coast BC
Very little known…but rich tombs and temples point towards a powerful class of priests and aristocrats.
Built ceremonial centers
Giant carved heads
Calendar

6. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
The World of the Mayas AD
Farmers cleared the forests and built raised fields that caught the rain.
Tikal (Present-day Guatemala)
Wealth was gained from trade
Largest structures in the Americas until 1903 (Flatiron building)

7. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Social Classes
Each Mayan city had its own ruling chief.
Surrounded by nobles who served as military leaders and officials who managed public works, collected taxes, and enforced laws.
Priests held great power
Elaborate ceremonies to ensure good harvests.

8. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Advances in Learning
Hieroglyphic writing system
Scribes kept their knowledge in books made of bark
Developed two calendars
Developed a numbering system that included zero.
Mayan Ball Game (Pg. 161)
Video

9. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
The Decline
A.D. 900 the Mayans abandoned the cities.
Not sure on the exact reason but maybe…
Frequent warfare
Overpopulation…over farming the land
Heavy taxes…peasant revolts
Remnants still exist…people still speak Mayan Languages.

10. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
The Valley of Mexico
Teotihuacān (A.D )
Well planned, wide roads, massive temples, and large apartment buildings.
Citizens worshipped a powerful nature goddess and rain god.
Eventually fell to invaders.

11. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Arrival of the Aztecs
Moved in from the North
Tenochtitlān (Present-day Mexico City)
Chinampas: Artificial islands made of earth that would float on water.
Video

12. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Conquering an Empire
Expanded their territory
Over most of Mexico (Gulf – Pacific)
By 1500: 30 million people
Tribute: Payment from conquered peoples.
Helped the Aztecs turn their capital into a magnificent city.

13. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
The World of the Aztecs
Spanish reached Tenochtitlān in 1519 and Cortēs was awestruck with its magnificence.
Geography & History (pg. 163)

14. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Government and Society (Aztecs)
Had a single ruler who was chosen by a council of nobles and priests to lead in war.
Below the ruler, nobles served as officials, judges, and governors of conquered provinces.
Warriors could rise to noble status by killing or capturing enemy soldiers
Commoners farmed the land
Slaves (criminals or POW) could buy their freedom and land.

15. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Religious Beliefs
Were a class apart
Performed rituals needed to please the man Aztec gods.
Chief Aztec god was Huitzilopochtli (sun god)
Giant pyramid
Battled forces of darkness each night and was reborn each morning.
Legend of the Five Suns (pg. 158)
Human Sacrifices

16. Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America
Education and Learning
Priests were the keepers of Aztec knowledge
Recorded laws and historical events
Ran schools
Illness was a punishment from the gods

17. Section 2: The World of the Incas
Read aloud in class
Group guides (Due FRIDAY!)
Geography
Government
Communication
Economy – Religion
Chosen Women

18. Section 3: Peoples of North America
The Desert Southwest: Anasazi
4 corners AD
Built large villages (later called pueblos)
Complex with 800 rooms
Terraces served as roads
Center was the plaza
Kiva: Large underground chamber used for religious ceremonies.
Attacked by Navajos & Apaches
Traditions survived among the Hopi & other Pueblo Indians

19. Section 3: Peoples of North America
The Mound Builders
Mississippi & Ohio Valleys farming cultures emerged as early as 700 BC
Adena & Hopewell (Ohio Valley)
Build mounds
Mississippians built clusters of earthen mounds
Cahokia (Illinois)
Left no written records

20. Section 3: Peoples of North America
Diverse Regional Cultures
Iroquois League: An alliance of five nations who spoke the same language and shared similar traditions.

21. Group Assignment Culture Pamphlet Tri-fold Pictures & Information
You will be graded on how it looks!!
Imagine that this pamphlet will be handed out at a historical Native American Indian site.