Chapter 12 Early Civilizations of the americas
World Cultures II Chapter 12 Early Civilizations of the americas
Section 1 South America and the Incas
Define Key Terms Incas Andes Cuzco Census Quipo Terraces Incas
People of a powerful South American empire during the1400s and
1500s. Andes A mountain chain of western South America. Cuzco The
capital city of the Incan empire, located in presentday Peru.
Census An official count of people in a certain place at acertain
time. Quipu A group of knotted strings used by the Incans torecord
information. Terraces Steplike ledges cut into mountains to make
landsuitable for farming. Section 1 Reading Read pages
336-341
Be ready to take notes on the section. Incas Very large and
powerful empire located in theAndes mountain range and along the
pacificcoast of South America. Empire stretched through Ecuador,
Peru, Bolivia,Chile and Argentina. Incas Became one of the largest
empires in SouthAmerica during the 1400s, containing apopulation of
12 million people. The empire was very organized which
helpedmaintain its dominance in the area. Inca Government The Inca
government recorded statistics on itspeople which helped keep taxes
andresponsibilities accounted for. Why do you think keep track of
citizens in agovernment is important for its growth as anempire?
Fall of the Incas The Inca empire began to collapse after the1400s
due to mistrust and rebellion against thegovernment. In addition to
the peoples no longer believing intheir emperor, many invaders
targeted the Incasdue to its wealth. Section 1 Assessment Go to
page 341.
Copy the Section 1 Assessment (Comprehensionand Critical Thinking
Questions 1a through 2c) Answer each question using information
fromthe reading. Section 1 Assessment 1A. Identify Name two
geographic settings in which peoples of theAmericas lived. Two of
the following; dense forests, fertile river valleys, rocky
cliffs,mountainous regions, mountainous Andes or along the Pacific
coast 1B. Synthesize Information What are the climates of those
tworegions. Dense forests were filled with trees and plants with
consistent rainfall. Section 1 Assessment 1C. Infer How might the
people who lived in these regions haveadapted to their geography
and climate? People would adapt by building homes suitable to the
climate andutilizing available materials ; by making clothing
suitable for the climate;by utilizing available plants and animals;
by using stone to build terracesto increase farm production. 2A.
Recall How much land did the Incan Empire cover at its
greatestextent? 2,500 miles Section 1 Assessment 2B. Explain How
did the government in Cuzco keep track of distantparts of the
empire? Incas recorded statistics on quipus and runners brought
them togovernment officials. 2C. Draw Conclusions What do you think
were the major problemsof keeping such a large empire running
smoothly? Explain youranswer. Example Answers: It was probably
difficult to maintain a large enougharmy to protect the entire
empire from invasion. It was probably difficultto maintain control
over such a large area and diverse population. Section 2 Culture of
Middle America
Define Key Terms Aztecs Tenochtitln Mayas Slash-and-Burn
Agriculture Maize Hieroglyphics Section 2 Terms Aztecs a people who
lived in the Valley of Mexico. Section 2 Terms Tenochtitln capital
city of the Aztecs Section 2 Terms Mayas People who established a
great civilization in MiddleAmerica. Section 2 Terms Slash-and-Burn
Agriculture
a farming technique in which trees are cut down andburned to clear
and fertilize the land. Section 2 Terms Maize Another word for
corn. Section 2 Terms Hieroglyphics
the signs and symbols that made up the Mayanwriting system. Section
2 Reading Read pages Be ready to take notes. Aztecs A civilization
that was located in the Valley of Mexico.
Aztecs developed aqueducts in order to transportwater throughout
their farms and fields. The Aztecs had a strict class structure
which consistedof the Royalty, Nobility, Soldiers, Artisans,
Farmers andthen the lowest on the list were prisoners. Aztecs
Chinampas were raised fields located around lakes bythe capital.
These island gardens provided moreland to farm. Aztec calendars
were used to calculate seasons forfarming. The calendars had 13
months lastingapproximately 20 days. Aztecs In 1519-1521, the
Spanish invaded and conquered the Aztecs.
Emperor Moctezuma led the fight for the Aztecs,which suffered big
losses due to diseases the Spanishcarried with them. Mayas Mayas
were influenced by previous civilizations suchas the Olmec. The
Mayans used the Slash-and-Burn method tofertilize and clear out
their fields. This method was verysuccessful for their agriculture.
Mayas The Mayans developed a system of writing calledHieroglyphics
which was important for communicationand also to record history.
The Mayans played a game called Pok-ta-tok whichwas similar to
basketball and soccer mixed together. Mayas The Mayans began
abandoning their civilization around 900 A.D.
Reasons for abandonment include: Drought Crop Failures War Disease
Rebellion against Mayan Leaders Section 2 Assessment Using what you
have read and took notes on copy theSection 2 Assessment Questions
(Comprehension andCritical Thinking Questions 1a through 2c) Answer
each question using information from thereading. Section 2
Assessment 1A Recall What activity was the basis of Mayan life?
Farming 1B Explain How did the Mayan religion reflect theimportance
of this activity? The Mayan rain-god and sun-god were important
because therain and sun were needed for growing maize. Section 2
Assessment 1C Infer What do you think is the most likely reason
theMayans abandoned their cities? Explain you answer. Reasons might
include crop failure, war, disease, overuse ofnatural resources, or
rebellion against leaders. Section 2 Assessment 2A Describe How did
the Aztec Expire expand?
By conquering neighboring villages and peoples. 2B Synthesis How
did the Aztecs treat the peoples theyconquered in war? Conquered
peoples had to pay tribute to the emperor. Some peoplecaptured in
war were used as human sacrifices. Section 2 Assessment 2C Draw
Conclusions Why might some of the peoplesconquered by the Aztecs
have wanted to overthrow theemperor? Possible Answers: They
resented their treatment and having to pay tributes. They wanted to
return their village to sovereignty. They felt the emperor did not
share their interests. Compare and Contrast Based off of what you
know about the civilizations ofAncient Egypt, write a list in your
notebook that showsthe similarities and differences between Ancient
Egyptand Ancient Middle America. Why do you think there are so many
similarities? Section 3 Cultures of North America
Define Key Terms Mound Builders Ancestral Puebloans Pueblo Kiva
Great Plains Section 3 Terms Mound Builders
Native American groups who built earthen mounds. Section 3 Terms
Ancestral Puebloans
Early Native American peoples of the southwest. Section 3Terms
Pueblo Cluster of Native American stone or adobe dwellings. Section
3Terms Kiva A round room used by the Pueblo peoples for
religiousceremonies. Section 3 Terms Great Plains
A mostly flat and grassy region of western NorthAmerica. Section 3
Reading Read pages 352-358
Be ready to take notes in your notebook. Mound Builders Many mound
builders created their earthworkbetween 700 B.C. to 1250 A.D. Often
times these mounds mark the presence of gravesor important
landmarks. There were many different civilizations that
wereconsidered mound builders such as the Adena,Hopewell culture
and the Mississippians. Mound Builders The Adena were located in
the Ohio Valley around 600B.C.They used mounds to mark the
locations of tombsand weapon. They also participated in long
distancetrade. The Hopewell Culture were located along the Ohio
andupper Mississippi rivers. They traded among a wider areathan the
Adena. The reason for their disappearance isunknown. Mound Builders
The Mississippians showed up around 700 A.D. and werethe most
important of the mound builders. They were able to trade and
inhabit the South andMidwest United States. They utilized various
forms of agriculture for food and fortrade which helped boost their
presence. People of the Southwest and Great Plains
The Ancestral Puebloans, Pueblo and Plains Indians livedin and
around the Southwest and Great Plains region ofthe United States.
These civilizations were not very powerful military-wise. However,
they did create goods and traded throughoutthe region which made
them a presence in the era. Ancestral Puebloans The Ancestral
Puebloans were also known as Anasazi. These early Native Americans
were known for makingartistic goods which were often used for
trade. During , major droughts hit the region andmany abandoned
their cities to search for more suitableland. Pueblo Peoples The
Pueblos lived in the same region as the AncestralPuebloans, however
they focused on shelter. They built Adobe style homes out of clay
and stone. They were skilled farmers that used their adobe
dwellingsto store food which helped them during droughts
andunfortunate times during the harvest season. Plains Indians
Located in the Great Plains region of the United States,these
native people used sign language to trade amongeach other. The
Plains Indians used tipis for their homes because theywere often
travelling and tipis were easy to set up andand take down.
Unfortunately, European settlers came and took overthese native
peoples lands. Section 3 Assessment Read pages 352-358
Copy the Section 3 Assessment Questions(Comprehension and Critical
Thinking Questions 1athrough 3b) Answer each question using
information from thereading. Section 3 Assessment 1A Sequence List
the three groups mound builders, fromearliest to latest. Adena,
Hopewell and Mississippians. 1B Compare In what ways were the three
groups alike? They built mounds, carried on long-distance trade
andgrew a variety of crops. Section 3 Assessment 2A Define What is
the climate of southwestern NorthAmerica? It has cold, dry winters
and hot dry summers. 2B Identify Cause and Effect Why did peoples
of thisregion build pueblos rather than other types of structure?
They used available materials such as sun dried adobebricks or
stone cliffs. Section 3 Assessment 3A Define What are the totem
poles and potlatches? A totem pole is a carved, painted log stood
on end thattypically had images of animals carved into and
paintedon it Potlatches were a ceremony held by a person of high
rankto show wealth. Section 3 Assessment 3B Infer How were totem
poles and potlatches symbolsof a familys wealth? Possible Answers:
An elaborate totem pole with intricate carvings and paintingsmight
signify wealth because it indicated that the ownermight have had
more free time to create it or could afford topay a good artist to
create it. At potlatches, people were able to show how wealthy
theywere by giving guests expensive gifts.