Latin America Unit 1 Vocabulary - Social Structures of Mesoamerica

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and social structures of Mesoamerica and South America.

Civilization

An advanced and organized human society that features cities, a central government, social classes, and a shared culture.

Mesoamerica

Middle america.

Maya

A major Indigenous people and their historical civilization.

Aztec

A powerful group of native people.

Inca

A ruler or a member of the Indigenous South American empire.

Empire

A large group of territories, nations, or peoples ruled by a single central power, government, or supreme leader.

Conquest

Taking control of a place, person, or problem by force, effort, or skill.

Emperor

The supreme male ruler of an empire.

Social Structure

The invisible framework of rules, roles, and relationships that organizes how people live together in a society.

Social Class

A way of grouping people in a society based on how much money, education, and power they have.

Hierarchy

A system where people, animals, or things are ranked one above another based on their power, importance, or status.

Nobility

A high social class with special titles (like lords and dukes) or having a great and honest character.

Peasant

A poor farmer or farm worker who owns or rents a very small piece of land.

Tribute

Something you say, do, or give to show respect, admiration, or thanks to someone or something.

Agriculture

The science, art, and practice of growing crops and raising animals to provide food, fiber, and other useful products.

Terrace Farming

A method of growing crops on the sides of hills or mountains by cutting flat, stepped layers into the slopes.

Andes Mountains

The longest continental mountain chain in the world.

Machu Picchu

Old mountain or old peak.

Hiram Bingham

Brought the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu to world attention in 1911.

Polytheistic

Believing in or worshiping more than one god.