Chapter 16: Peoples and Empires in the Americas, 900- 1500 (pp. 391 - 411) Atahualpa.

Chapter 16:Peoples and Empires

in the Americas, 900-1500

(pp. 391 - 411)

Atahualpa

Diverse Societies of North America:• Northwest Coast Indians• Pueblo People: Hohokam (AZ), Anasazi

(UT, AZ, CO, NM), • Mound Builders: Mississippian, mounds

can be found in Cahokia, IL• Woodlands: Iroquois, Algonquian,

Muskogean; Iroquois League was made up of Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cyuga, and the Seneca from upper NY

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICASThe Maya, Aztec, and Inca

civilizations dominated regions of Central and South America from about 1200 B.C. through the 1500’s.

These civilizations were advanced in technology, trade, language, and social organization.

All three empires eventually fell to the Spanish conquistadors.

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Mayan Civilization stretched from southern Mexico into Northern Central America including the Yucatan Peninsula.

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

The period from A. D. 250 – 900 is known as the

Classical Period of Mayan Civilization

City-states Ruled by a god-king Centers of trade and religious ceremonies

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICASMayan Cities

•Giant Pyramids

•Temples

•Palaces

•Stone Carvings

•Residential Areas

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Agriculture and Trade City-states linked

through trade & alliances Large variety of crops Slash-and-burn Planted raised beds Practiced hillside

terracing Sufficient food and

surplus for trade

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Architecture Elaborate Pyramids

Tikal Pyramids were the tallest structures in the Americas until 1903.

Temples were constructed in every city Ball courts for Mayan games that had

religious and political significance. They believed playing the game would maintain the cycle of the sun and moon and bring needed rain.

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Mayan Religion Influenced every aspect of life

Believed gods inhabited 13 layers of the sky and 9 layers of the underworld

Gods represented various aspects of life Gods could be evil or good or both Worship consisted of prayer, offerings including

blood offerings, and human sacrifice believing that human sacrifice was pleasing to the gods and kept the world in balance.

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Mayan Contributions Calendar – 260 day

religious calendar and a 365 day solar calendar – 365.2420 day Based on observation

of the planets, sun, and moon. Both calendars could be cross referenced for specific days

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Mayan Contributions Advanced system of

writing 800 hieroglyphic

symbols Some symbols stand

for words, others represent syllables.

Kept records of important historical events

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICASDecline of Mayan Civilization 800s many Mayan cities were

abandoned Invaders from Toltec moved into

Mayan lands Infighting among the Mayan city-

states Many fled to the jungles Trade was disrupted Over farming, food shortages,

famine, and disease By the time the Spaniards arrived the

civilization had been greatly weakened.

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS Aztec EmpireConsidered the greatest empire in Mesoamerica

Powerful cities established as early as the 6th century. Two powerful groups inhabited the region prior to the arrival of the Aztec.

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Toltec Civilization Ruled the region for about 300 years Built pyramids and temples Extremely warlike Warlike people whose empire was based

on conquest Worshipped war gods who demanded

human sacrifice Trade spread all through Mesoamerica

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Aztec Empire By 1200 Aztec occupied the Valley of

Mexico Established the city of Tenochtitlan Formed a Triple Alliance with other

strong cities Conquered and established and empire

with a population of between 5 and 15 million

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Religion of the Aztec Played a major role in Aztec society Many gods adopted from other

Mesoamericans Public ceremonies designed to please and win the

favor of the gods Believed that the god of the sun made it rise only

if he was nourished with human blood Thousands of victims were sacrificed on the alter

of the Great Temple where the priest carved out the beating heart

Most of those sacrificed were captives of war

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Aztec Empire Loose control over the empire Demanded tribute, those failing to pay were

punished severely Empire ruled by military leaders, priests, and

government officials, making the noble class Other social divisions included commoners

and slaves. Merchants held a place of high position among the commoners

Trade brought great wealth and power to the Aztec

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Problems for the Aztec Montezuma II, Aztec emperor allowed

the empire to weaken Demanded more tribute and taxes Resentment grew within the empire The Spanish explorers/conquistadors arrived

to challenge and eventually take the land of the Aztec

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Inca Empire First settled in the Cuzco Valley Believed the Inca ruler was a descended from the sun god They worshipped dead rulers who were preserved as mummies. The dead kept their wealth so each ruler had to acquire his own wealth.

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Inca Government Good organization and administration Government bureaucracy to manage the

empire Had a common language Built an extensive network of roads –

promoted good communication No writing system but kept records through a

system of knotted strings Developed an elaborate calendar system

EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS

Inca Religion Worshipped fewer gods that Aztec & Maya Focused on the spirits of nature, especially the sun, since the ruler was believed to have come from the sun god.

Inca FallAfter civil war and leadership disputes,the empire fell to Pizarro, a Spanishconquistador.