Unit VII: Latin America (Review Terms/Concepts)

Aztec Empire

Major state that developed in what is now Mexico in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries; dominated by the semi-nomadic Mexica, who had migrated into the region from northern Mexico.

Inca Empire

The vast and sophisticated Peruvian empire centered at the capital city of Cuzco that was at its peak from 1438 until 1532

Cahokia

Mississippian settlement near present-day East St. Louis, home to as many as 25,000 Native Americans

Cahokia Mounds

largest surviving mound structure located near East St. Louis, third largest structure before arrival of Europeans, used as stages for ceremonies, platforms for dwellings, and burial sites

matrilineal descent

a system of tracing descent through the mother's side of the family (used by the Mississippian people of Cahokia)

Capra Nan

massive roadway system built in the Inca empire

Cuzco

The capital city of the Incan Empire, Located in present-day Peru

Tenochtitlan

Capital of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco. Its population was about 150,000 on the eve of Spanish conquest. Mexico City was constructed on its ruins.

Hernan Cortes

Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the conquest of Aztec Mexico in 1519-1521 for Spain.

Francisco Pizzaro

Led conquest of Inca Empire of Peru beginning in 1535; by 1540, most of Inca possessions fell to the Spanish

Conquistadors

Spanish soldiers and explorers who led military expeditions in the Americas and captured land for Spain

Hispaniola

First island in Caribbean settled by Spaniards; settlement founded by Columbus on second voyage to New World; Spanish base of operations for further discoveries in New World.

Olmec

the earliest-known Meso-American civilization, which flourished around 1200 B.C. and influenced later societies throughout the region. (Land of Rubber)

Pok a Pok

popular Mayan game with a rubber ball, vertical hoop, and a marker on the side of a wall. (held religious significance)

Mayan Calendar

365 days, only priests kept track of the calendar by using the motion of planets and stars; used it to predict, eclipses, schedule festivals, plant and harvest

Maya City States

City-State govt., each was ruled by a king and most rulers were men however women could rule if a make heir wasn't old enough

• Wars between city states were common

• Human sacrifices

• No armies so when war erupted, it was the citizens jobs to provide military service

• Science and religion linked through astronomy

• Offerings to gods were important (similar to the Aztecs, but human sacrifices was more prevalent in Aztec society)

Chichen Itza

large, Pre-Columbian city built by the Mayans

Quetzelcoatl

Aztecs main god (Cortes was originally believed to be this god by the Aztec when he first arrived in the Yucatan)

Developing vs Developed Countries

Developed countries: industrialized nations with high average incomes per person (U.S.)

Developing countries: more poverty stricken countries that cannot support themselves, less technology and infrastructure

Eagle Warriors

Elite Aztec military group known for valor. (example of a meritocratic element within Aztec society)

Aztec origin myth

Location for Tenochtitlan identified by Eagle perched on a Cactus in the center of a lake with a serpent in its mouth

Inca origin myth

Four sons and daughters of the Sun God Inti founded Cuzco

Aztec religious beliefs

Polytheistic; relied upon system of dualism; human sacrifice and other rituals carried out on important dates within the agriculturally focused calendar

San Lorenzo & La Venta

Largest Olmec cities (10,000 each)

Obsidian

Used by Maya and Aztec as cutting tools and in a military capacity

Limeston Plaster

Used in the construction of Maya public buildings

Skull Deformation & Crossed Eyes

Used by Maya elite to symbolize status within society

Popol Vuh

the most famous of the Maya books that recounts the Maya's version of the story of creation.

Calpulli

Clans in Aztec society, later expanded to include residential groups that distributed land and provided labor and warriors.

Montezuma II

the last Aztec emperor in Mexico who was overthrown and killed by Hernan Cortes (1466-1520)

Manco Capac

founder of the Inca dynasty who led the Inca to settle in Cuzco

System of royal Panacas

Extended family of the Inca king -- he was responsible to support them financially -- some historians identify this as a reason for continued Inca expansion (in search of additional wealth)

Inca Agricultural Allocation

1/3 for priests, 1/3 for storehouses, 1/3 to feed local population

Mitma

forced relocation of conquered groups (Inca)

Quipus

A system of knotted cords of different sizes and colors used by the Incas for keeping records

Quechua

Incan language

Nahuatl

Aztec language

K'iche

Mayan language

Ayllus

in Incan society, a clan or community that worked together on projects required by the ruler

Coya

Incan term for queen

Llamas and guinea pigs

Seen as sacred by the Inca -- sometimes sacrificed to the gods during rituals or following natural disasters

Distended Earlobes

Symbol of status among the Inca

Chimpanas

Aztec floating gardens

Lake Texcoco

Lake where the capital city of the ancient Aztecs Tenochtitlan was built

Temple of Kukulkan

Temple to the feathered serpent god of the Maya (Chichen Itza)

Temple of Huitzilopochtli

Aztec temple for the god of war and sun.

Mita System

Incan system for payment of taxes with labor