Weeks 1 & 2 Key Terms LA173

Definitions of Latin America vs First American Civilization

Definitions of Latin America vs First American Civilization

LA- where spanish/portuguese conquered in America FAC- societies that we there before

Pristine Myth

The misconception that the New World was a lightly populated paradise without war and issues

Challenges of complex societies in the Americas chinampa

susceptible to harsh weather conditions, isolated, limited growth of plants in some areas

Vertical Socialism

Socialist society without money. Isolated archipelago societies that shared resources. Giving with a sense of obligation and mutual dependence.

Chinampas

Raised fields constructed along lake shores in Mesoamerica to increase agricultural yields

Split Inheritance and Cult of the Royal Mummy

From Chimu, rulers inherited power but not land/wealth. Royal mummies kept the wealth and land and passed it onto their descendents

Washkar

Inka civil war (legal) leader who wanted to reclaim Panaqa’s wealth and land to solve economic crisis

Atawallpa

Inka civil war leader, overthrew Washkar (brother) for trying to change the status quo. Popular and good general

Minga

Collective effort where community members come together to help each other. Sharing resources, labor, and skills to achieve goals.

Ayllu

Group/clan of Andean people who all believed they were descended from the same w’aka

Marine Foundation of Andean Culture

Theory that Andean civilization originated differently than other early civilizations. Evidence points to groups’ foundations being on cotton and fishing versus farming

reciprocity/asymmetrical reciprocity

Inka when controlling other Ayllu would start by sharing resources and expecting something (usually labor) in return. Over time, became much more asymmetrical with Inka demanding more.

Quipu

Threads with varying knots, colors, braids, etc to record history and stories. 2^6 * 24 combinations

Role of human sacrifice and warfare in Aztec empire

Aztec were much more war-inclined than Inka. Believed that their sun god needed to eat human hearts to survive. Aztec justified their warfare by saying it was to appease and feed Huitzilopochtli.

Limits & Crises of Aztec Empire & Inka Empire

Both eventually conquered all they could and ran out of people to bring in more wealth as tribute ran dry (Aztec) or wealth became more hoarded (Inka).

Moctezuma II

Last ruler of the Aztecs. Very harsh ruler scared of losing his empire. Became protective of the Aztec bloodline and did not want foreigners and non-nobles around nobility.

Historical factors in Spain's American conquest and colonization c.1492

Crown: more land and money

Church: spread the gospel and evangelize the Indians

Commoner: chance to have new life and new land

Also, unemployed Hildalgos needed place to rule. Spain forced to conquer LA after Cortes burned Spanish ships in Mesoamerica.

The Reconquest

Spanish Christians drove out Muslims from the country. Gave Church new sense of accomplishment but made them even more nervous aboput Protestant Reformation. Wanted to assure role in New World, so funded expeditions to America.

Hildalgo

Commoner who achieved high status by means of the military during the Reconquest

Hernan Cortes

Spanish explorer who conquered the Aztecs. Sunk his own ships after coming to Mexico from Cuba. Made allies with other Native groups in Mesoamerica to take over Aztecs.

La Malinche

Cortes’s lover and translator who was always with him. Super young (yuck). Baptized as Marina.