1. Ancient Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere
Maya, Aztec, & Inca

2. Maya - Location
southern Mexico into northern Central American called the Yucatan Peninsula

3. Maya - Climate
dense, steamy rain forests

4. Maya – Time Period
a.d.

5. Maya – Government
independent city-states ruled by kings – seen as god-king, established dynasties

6. Maya – Key City
Chichen Itza

7. Maya – Economy 1. Agriculture – maize, beans, squash
2. Trade – salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, jade ornaments, textiles

9. Maya – Religion 1. Polytheistic – many gods
2. Pyramids – dedicated to gods and famous rulers
3. Worship included material offerings, bloodletting, human sacrifice
4. Calendar – 260 days, 20 months, 13 days each month
- 365 day solar calendar, different gods ruled different days
5. Mathematics and astronomy – concept of zero, calendar planning

12. Maya – Writing
800 glyphs (symbols), on bark- paper called codex

13. Maya – Decline
war and conflict between city states, overuse of land

14. Aztec - Location
Central Mexico – Valley of Mexico, Modern day Mexico City

15. Aztec - Climate
Hot, large shallow lakes, good resources, fertile soil

16. Aztec – Time Period
1200 – 1521 A.D.

17. Aztec – Government
Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, 38 provinces, Emperor with absolute power
- loose control over empire with exception of tribute payments

18. Aztec – Key City
Tenochtitlan = capital

19. Aztec – Economy
1. Agriculture – maize, cacao beans, cotton 2. Trading Network – with Tenochtitlan as ultimate marketplace

21. Aztec – Religion
1. Polytheistic 2. Built temples and pyramids 3. 2 calendars 4. Human sacrifices to sun god

23. Aztec – Writing
No real mention – writing system of pictures derived from earlier MesoAmerican cultures

24. Aztec – Decline Montezuma II reign – rebelling tribes
Spanish – Cortez conquered Aztecs in 1521

25. Inca – Location
Andes Mountains of South America – Southern Peru

26. Inca – Climate
Mountainous

27. Inca – Time Period
A.D.

28. Inca – Government
Believed that ruler was a descendent from the Sun god
Nobility – ruling families
Bureaucracy – used small groups to work for the common good
Built extensive road system

30. Inca – Key City Cuzco = capital
Machu Picchu – mysterious religious center or royal resort

32. Inca – Economy
1. Run by the state – regulated production of goods 2. Agriculture on terraced hillsides – maize and quinoa (grain)

34. Inca – Religion
1. Polytheistic – natural spirits of moons, stars, sun, thunder, etc Calendars 3. Sacrifices

35. Inca – Writing
None, but had string/knot math/accounting system

36. Inca – Decline
Civil War between two sons of a king and Pizarro