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Post-Classical Mesoamerican Societies

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Presentation on theme: "Post-Classical Mesoamerican Societies"— Presentation transcript:

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?


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