1. Post-Classical Mesoamerican Societies

2. Question What do we mean by the term “Mesoamerica”?
From Central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua

3. Mesoamerican Post-Classical Societies
Mayans (Pre-classical - 8th c.)
Toltecs (8th c CE)
Aztecs ( ): defeated by Hernan Cortes & local tribes
Incas ( ) : defeated by Francisco Pizarro & local tribes

4. Areas of the Aztec and Mayan Empires

5. Aztecs: Culture/Gov’t
Advanced Cities - Tenochtitlan
Advanced Agriculture - Chinampas
Religion - polytheistic; male and female deities; creator gods, fertility gods and gods of warfare and sacrifice
Treatment of Conquered Territories - take land and pay taxes through food
State-controlled economy

6. Aztecs: Social Structure
Social Structure - more hierarchical over time
Status of Women - work in fields; keep the household; weaving; elders trained younger girls; arranged marriages; could inherit property

7. The Inca

8. The Incas
Origins - one of many tribes fighting for power in the Andes Mtns
Empire known as “Twantinsuyu”
9-13 million people

9. The Incas Conquest Religion
Economic Gain (conquered peoples expected to provide work [mita], not necessarily tribute)
Political Power (needed to expand in order to secure palace, land/wealth) [due to Split Inheritance]
Religion
Ancestor Worship
Mummification

10. Government and Politics
Leader considered a godlike figure – Theocratic
Capital in Cuzco
Organized Society into early form of Socialism (state provides/you work)
Self Sufficient communities
Four provinces ruled by governor
Nobles in bureaucracy
Local rulers [Curacas] could keep power if they were loyal
Local leaders did not have to pay tribute
Unified language  Quechua (not written, however)
Public works - roads, Irrigation
Split Inheritance
All political power and titles of the ruler went to his successor
Palaces, wealth is divided amongst male descendants

11. Cultural Achievements
Art – Metallurgy (bronze, gold, silver), pottery
Nobles distinguished by dress & jewelry (orejones = ‘big ears’)
Math – counting system (quipo)
Infrastructure was greatest achievement
Roads
Public buildings
(Tambos = Waystations)
Terraced farming

12. Economic Achievements
Socialist System allowed communities to be self-sufficient
Trade was far less important in the Andean Valley societies

13. Aztecs v. Incas Different Similar
Geography (Mesoamerica v. Andes Mountains)
Aztec – more developed trade
Writing systems, use for metal differed
Aztec - lasted longer
Incas had a very diverse culture (more than 500 languages)
Incas were highly organized/centralized
Similar
Intensive Agriculture
State Controlled Economy
Strong Imperial Militaries
More complicated social system develops over time
Bureaucracy of Nobility (family-controlled)
Recognize local ethnic groups
Both were established by conquering settled agricultural societies
Both engaged in human sacrifice
Summary: While there are some differences, there are many similarities, origins, political development

14. Aztec/Inca Questions
1). How does the geography of the Aztec world impact its development?
2). Which of the two societies would you say is more warlike? Why?
3). How does the geography of the Incan world impact its development?
4). Explain three of the advances made by the Amerindian societies.
5). Explain the fall of either the Incan or Aztec society. What are two causes of the fall and what was the final blow to the society that brought its destruction?