1.2: Native Americans Societies BEFORE 1492

Aztecs

* Lived in __Mesoamerica__
* Refered to as __Mexica__
* Capital city → __Tenochtitlan__ established in __1325__
* __300,000__ people
* Had a __written language__
* Had complex __irrigation systems__
* Had __rituals__ (human sacrifice) performed by priest for __fertility__ in land

Maya

* Lived in __Yucatan Peninsula__ (South America
* Developed large cities
* Had complex __irrigation__ and __water storage systems__
* Built tone temples and palaces for rulers that “descended from the gods”

Inca

* Lived in __Andes mountains__ (South America)
* 350,000 sq miles of land
* Capital city → __Cuzco__
* __16 million people__
* __Fertile Mountain Valleys__
* Grew potatoes and other crops
* Had __irrigation systems__

What did the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca civilizations had in common?

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Why was it important?

__Cultivation of Maize__ → corn crops

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Important b/c it was nutritious and __supported economic development__, __settlement of people__, __advanced irrigation__, and __social diversification__

Pueblo

* Lived in North America
* __Sedentary Populations__ = stayed in one place, did not move
* __Farmers__ grew __maize__ and other crops
* Built adobe and masonry homes in the open and sides of cliffs
* Had administrative offices religious, religious centers, and craft shops

*More to the north…*

* __Nomadic people__ that __hunter and gathered__
* Region was extremely __dry__
* Ex: The __Ute people__ believed in all people are __equal__

Pacific Northwest

* Lived by sea → __Fishing villages__
* Relied on Elk
* __Chinook__ people used __The Great Cedar Trees__ to build giant plank houses that could house up to 70 members
* __Chumach__ people (further south) were __hunters and gatherers__ but still lived in __permanent settlements__

Mississippi Valley

* Had __fertile soil__ surrounding the rivers, which allowed societies to __stay put__ and __farm__ and __develop__
* __Hopewell__ people:
* __4,000-6,000__ people
* __Traded__ with other regions
* __Cahokia__ people:
* __10,000-30,000__ people
* __Chieftains__ __centralized__ the __government__ and engaged in __trade networks__ from the __great lakes__

Iroquosis

* Lived in the Northeast of America
* Grew __maize,__ squash, beans, etc…
* Built __longhouses__ and lived with 30-50 members