History Americas Quiz

What was the first known civilization of Mesoamerica? When did they appear

What was the first known civilization of Mesoamerica? When did they appear

Olmec, appeared around 1200 BCE

Where did the Olmec live? What was the climate like

Tropical lowlands of south central Mexico. The climate was hot and humid

What type of structures did the Olmec create? What were they made of

17 colossal stone heads made of basalt and other stones

What three ideas did the Maya adopt from the Olmec?

Calender, Ball game and worship at jaguars

Where was Teotihuacan located? What was their largest temple called?

Valley of Mexico. The pyramid of the sun

What is obsidian

Volcano glass, was highly valued

Where were the Maya located? Between what years did their civilization flourish?

Present day Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Savador. Between 250 CE - 900CE

What are possible explanations for the disappearance of the Maya

Environmental degradation droughts, war fare, and breakdown of trade routes. It contributed to decline of civilizations

Explain what type of government the Maya used and how it worked? How was a Mayan ruler viewed?

System of city-states with divine kings and rulers viewed as intermediates between people and god

What would happen to captured enemies in Maya society?

Often used for ritual sacrifices which was a central aspect of Mayan religious practice ceremonies to appease of gods.

Describe what the Mayan writing system was like.

Combination of logograms in syllabic glyphs. Complex writing system had 800 individual hieroglyphics.

Describe the Mayan calender?

Two main calendar. One is a religious 260 day calendar called Sacrad calendar. The regular calendar which is 365 days called the Haab calendar.

Where did the Toltec live? How far did their empire stretch?

They live in central mexico, they stretch from Yucatan penninsula to pacific coast

What was the capital city of the Aztec? What is the name of the city today?

Tenochtitlan. Present day Mexico City

Describe the legend of how the Aztec founded their capital.

Involved an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake on its back.

What other city-states did the Aztecs join in order to form the Triple Alliance?

Texcoco and Tlacopan to form the triple alliance

What is tribute

Form of payment or tribute given to Aztec rulers

What three career paths could an Aztec noble choose to follow.

Warrior, Priest, administrator

What are chinampas

Artificial island used for agriculture

What type of religion did the Aztec believe in? Who was the god of sun and war

Polytheistic religion, Huitzilopochtli

What did the Aztec believe about the god Quetzalcoatl? Who did they believe the spanish explorers were?

God Quetzalcoatl would return one day. The god Quetzalcoatl.

Why did the Aztec practice human sacrifice

To appease gods and ensure the contribution of the world.

What modern day country did the Inca originate from? What was their capital city?

17 Peru, capital was Cusco

What language unified the Inca Empire?

Quechua

What did the Incan people believe about their ruler?

Sopa Inca was descended from sun god inti

Describe the Inca economy and farming techniques

Based on system of collecting labor and redistribution of goods. Utilized farming to grow crops.

What system did the Inca use to keep records? How did it work?

Knotted strings to keep records. Different knots/colors represent different information allowing them to keep data.