Aztec/Inca

Montezuma II

Last Aztec emperor, known for his initial encounter with Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés, which ultimately led to the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Aztec City-States

Tenochticlan, Texcoco, Tlacopan fomed the triple alliance which would establish the Aztec Empire. Independent political entities within the Aztec Empire, each governed by its own ruler, contributing to the empire’s structure and economy.

Pachacuti

A powerful Inca emperor known for greatly expanding the empire and enacting reforms. He is credited with establishing the Inca administrative system and transforming Cusco into a major political and religious center.

Incan Unity

Achieved unity through centralized state infrastructure, the mita system, integration of religion which unified the different ethnic groups, and through a common language, Quechua.

State Controlled Economy

A system of economy where the government controls the goods distributed: the different states produce food and resources which are given to the government, who allot the necessary goods to the states that are in need of them - the goods are produced from the mita system.

Cuzco

A powerful city in the Inca Empire (sometimes compared to Rome). Significant because it served as the capital of the empire and as an administrative hub. It was also a center for Inca culture and architecture.

Atahulapa

The last effective Inca Emperor; he ruled until his capture by the Spanish in 1533. He is important because his reign marked the end of the Inca Empire due to Spanish conquest.

Quetzacoatl

A very important Mesoamerican deity (name translated to feathered serpent). He is the creator/culture god, a contrast to the many gods of war. He is associated with wind, the dawn, merchants, art, and trade. He is prayed to for prosperity and favorable weather.

Huitzilopochtli

The Aztec god of war and the sun, often depicted as a hummingbird or an eagle. Considered the most important Aztec god, and he is the driving force of the need for human sacrifice to please his so the sun will rise the next day and the world will continue.

Human Sacrifice

A practice sacred to the Aztecs: Involved ripping out hearts and executions preformed in temples in order to please the sun god so the sun would rise the next day. **Part of their ideology of conquest: needed prisoners who they could execute in human sacrifice

Inti

The Inca Sun God: considered the divine ancestor of the Inca rulers; what legitimizes the emperors’ rule is the fact they are descended from Inti.

Virachocha

The Inca god of creation

Temple of the Sun

A religious site for the God of Inti - temples were located throughout the Inca Empire, which created political unity.

Calpulli

Aztec - Organizations/clans that would report to the clan leaders who reported to the central government. They came from a common ancestor.

Ayulla

Inca - A clan/group of families who worked together and shared food/resources with each other.

Quecha

A common Inca language

Road Systems

Tenochticlan

Toltecs

The civilization before the Aztecs which they drew inspiration from

The Triple Alliance

The Triple Alliance was when Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan formed a military and political alliance, which led to the creation of the Aztec Empire.

Three cities states in the Triple Alliance

Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan

Aztec Ideology of Conquest

They had a need for tribute, so they expanded and took prisoners of war which they would use in their blood sacrifices to Huitzilopochtli/the sun god - didn’t want to sacrifice their own people most of the time.

Inca Ideology of Conquest

They had a desire to expand their empire, acquire new resources, dominate cultures, often integrating their conquered peoples into their society and religion.

Material used to make Aztec blades and weapons

Obsidian, known for its sharpness and durability.

Chinampas

Areas of land - floating gardens of fertile land used as farming plots in the Aztec Empire - were very productive in growing a variety of crops and supporting the growing population.

Aztec Innovations

• Anchored buildings

• Irrigation systems and canals

• Aqueducts to recieve safe water from springs

• Bridges (causeways) to Tenochticlan

• Chinampas

• Safe Zone/wall around the city to protect against invasions

• Templo Major - twin temples in the center of the city honoring the gods of war and rain