1. Aztec & Incas

4. Lake Texcoco Capital: Tenochtitlan

5. Aztec Politics Emperor had absolute power Claimed he was a descendent of God Formed Triple Alliance with two other city- states & created a large empire Conquered cities paid tribute but they had independence

6. Aztec Religion Aztec ruler claimed he was a descendent of God Believed in many Gods (over 1,000) –Supreme God = Ometeotl –Sun God = Huitzilopochtli –Rain God = Tlaloc –Quetzalcoatl = creation, virtue & learning

7. Aztec Religion: Sacrifice Religion based on a belief: World was an unending struggle between the forces of good and evil Led to the destruction of four worlds or suns

8. Aztec Military Outstanding warriors- tried to bring surrounding cities under control

9. Aztec Education Built temples, other public buildings, houses Built three main causeways (raised roads) Built an aqueduct to bring water from spring 4 miles away Tenochtitlan = an urban center built on marsh land

10. Aztec Education “Floating gardens” – chinampas- farm plots built on the fringe of the lake

11. Aztec Education Aztec Calendar

12. Aztec Relationship with Foreigners Cortes marched to Tenochtitlan with 500 soldiers and 16 horses As he went, he made alliances with city states that were sick of Aztec rule Received warm welcome from Moctezuma Spanish held Moctezuma hostage and pillaged the city In 1520- the locals revolted and drove the Spanish from the city Cortes received fresh soldiers from allies- 50,000 alone from Tlaxcala

13. Incan Empire

15. Incan Politics A highly centralized state – capital Cuzco Boundaries extended from Ecuador, central Chile and the edge of the Amazon basin (12 million people) Divided the empire into 4 quarters- each ruled by a governor These were divided into provinces- each also ruled by a governor (governors were usually related to the royal family) At the top of the system= emperor

16. Incan Religion Believed emperor was a direct descendent of the sun Had less Gods than the Aztecs

17. Incan Military Under the leadership of Pachakuti- the Incas launched a campaign of conquest that brought all under their control Built 24,800 miles of roads- for official and military purposes All young men required to serve in the 200,000 person Incan army Incan state built on war Local leaders could keep posts as long as they were loyal to the Incan emperor To encourage loyalty- children of local leaders taken hostage

18. Incan Education Quechua = language Had no writing system but kept records using a series of knotted strings called quipu Developed court theater Poetry recited

19. Incan Relationships with Foreigners Dec. 1530 Francisco Pizarro landed with 180 men and firearms Incans fell victim to small pox When emperor died- his two sons claimed the throne = civil war When one son (Atahualpa) defeated his brother, Pizarro captured Atahualpa By 1535 Pizarro established a new capital @ Lima