Legacies in Latin America: Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas

These flashcards cover the key concepts about the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations discussed in the lecture notes.

What time periods did the Maya civilization exist?

c. 2000 BC–1697 AD

What were the two main periods of the Maya civilization?

Classic (200-900 AD) and Post-Classic (900 AD-Spanish Colonization)

What was the key leadership structure of the Maya civilization?

Royalty with a semi-divine king; patrilineal succession with allowed queens as a last resort.

Which civilizations are considered to have a war-like nature?

The Aztecs and the Maya had both war-like and peaceful periods, while the Aztecs were primarily war-like.

What role did warfare play in Aztec society?

Warfare was a major aspect that drove their economy and religion.

What is an example of significant monumental architecture from the Maya civilization?

The Temple of Kukulcán at Chichen Itzá.

Describe the primary economic activities of the Inca civilization.

Agriculture, llama and alpaca herding, trade and barter, construction, and mining.

What was the primary religion of the Inca civilization?

Polytheistic, worshipping many gods like Inti and Pachamama.

How did each civilization choose to handle their dead?

The Maya practiced ancestor veneration by burying the dead under floors.

What was a unique agricultural technique used by the Aztecs?

Chinampas, or floating gardens.

What contributed to the decline of the Aztec Empire?

Defeats in battle, smallpox, and the conquest by the Spaniards led by Cortés.

What unique accomplishment did the Inca civilization achieve?

A road system of over 24,000 miles and the use of Quipu for record-keeping.

What led to the decline of the Incan Empire?

The arrival of Europeans and diseases that decimated the population.

How did the Aztecs' approach to education impact their society?

Mandatory schooling allowed specialization in various crafts including art.