AP World 1.4 - State Building in the Americas (copy)

Cahokia

The largest city built north of Mexico before Columbus, known for its massive earthen mounds and as a center of a trading network.

Maya Civilization

An ancient civilization primarily located in the Yucatan peninsula and northern central America, noted for its advanced knowledge in astronomy and human sacrifice rituals.

Mita System

A labor system used by the Incas where subjects were required to work for the state, akin to a tax, by laboring in various capacities.

Mexica

A semi-nomadic people who established their capital at Tenochtitlan and formed a powerful empire in Mesoamerica.

Human Sacrifice

A crucial ritual in both Maya and Mexica cultures where human blood was offered to the gods, viewed as essential for sustaining life and fertility.

Cahokia decline factors

Factors contributing to the decline of Cahokia include disease, environmental changes, lack of sanitation, and overexploitation of resources.

Mayan ball game

Pok-A-Tok, a significant game played without hands or feet, potentially involving the sacrifice of the winning or losing team.

Tribute system (Mexica)

A system where conquered peoples were required to deliver tribute such as textiles and food to their Mexica rulers.

Incas

An ancient civilization that built the largest empire in the Western Hemisphere, known for their elaborate administrative structure and use of the Mita system.

Gender Parallelism

A social structure in both Mexica and Inca societies where men and women had equivalent but separate roles and spheres of influence.