Aztec, Inca, Africa, Trade Networks AP questions

What strategies did the Aztecs employ to manage their empire's resources and sustain its large population?

They used a tribute system, where conquered peoples provided goods and labor, and implemented the chinampa system for agricultural productivity.

Contrast the political organization of the Aztec Empire with the Inca Empire.

The Aztec Empire was more decentralized with city-states ruled by local leaders, whereas the Inca Empire was highly centralized, governed by a supreme ruler and a bureaucratic system.

How did the Aztec religion influence their societal structure and military conquests?

Aztec religion emphasized warfare and sacrifice, motivating military expansion to secure captives for religious rituals.

What innovations did the Inca use to adapt to their mountainous environment?

They developed terrace farming, advanced irrigation techniques, and constructed extensive roads to connect distant regions.

What were the primary agricultural staples of the Aztec diet?

The primary agricultural staples included maize, beans, and squash, often referred to as the Mesoamerican triad.

Explain the significance of the Aztec calendar and its relation to religious practices.

The Aztec calendar was crucial for agricultural, religious, and social events; it dictated planting seasons and festival times significant for their religious beliefs.

What role did the priest class play in Aztec society?

The priest class held significant power in Aztec society, influencing moral conduct, education, and the execution of rituals essential for appeasing gods.

How did the Incas ensure the loyalty of conquered peoples?

The Incas promoted loyalty through a system of strategic marriages, local governance, and the integration of local elites into their administration.

Describe the importance of the Sapa Inca.

The Sapa Inca was the emperor regarded as the divine ruler and believed to be a descendant of the sun; this belief unified the empire under centralized leadership.

What were the major goods exported from the Inca Empire?

Exported goods included llamas, textiles, and agricultural products, particularly potatoes and maize.

Discuss the significance of Machu Picchu in the Incan Empire.

Machu Picchu served as a royal estate and religious site, showcasing Incan architectural prowess and its integration with the landscape.

How did trade networks contribute to the spread of diasporic communities in Africa?

Trade facilitated the movement of peoples across regions, creating diasporic communities that contributed to cultural exchange and economic ties.

What was the impact of the spice trade on European exploration?

The demand for spices drove European exploration and colonization efforts, leading to significant geographical discoveries and interactions with new regions.

How did the Kingdom of Axum contribute to trade in the Red Sea region?

The Kingdom of Axum served as a powerful trade empire that connected Africa with India and the Mediterranean, primarily through its ports.

Identify the African civilizations known for their wealth from trans-Saharan trade.

Civilizations such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai accumulated wealth through control of gold and salt trade routes.

What were the most significant trade goods transported along the East African coast?

Key goods included ivory, gold, slaves, and timber, linking East Africa to Arab traders and the Indian Ocean.

Analyze how the introduction of new crops affected societal structures in the Inca Empire.

The introduction of new crops like wheat and rice diversified agriculture, leading to population growth and the need for intricate social organization.

How did the Aztec and Inca empires utilize military conquest for economic gain?

Both empires expanded their wealth through military conquest by acquiring tribute, labor, and resources from subjugated peoples.

What was the role of the merchant class in Aztec society?

Merchants, known as pochtecas, were vital for trade networks, acquiring exotic goods and acting as spies for the empire.

Describe the impact of the Columbian Exchange on African societies.

The Columbian Exchange introduced new crops and livestock to Africa, altering diets, agricultural practices, and stimulating demographic changes.

Compare the writing systems used by the Aztecs and Incas.

The Aztecs used pictographs and ideograms in their writing system known as Nahuatl, while the Incas relied on quipu, a system of knotted strings.

What were the consequences of the spread of Islam on West African trade routes?

Islam facilitated trade by promoting a common faith, leading to strengthened economic ties and enhanced cultural exchange.

How did leaders like Sundiata Keita contribute to the rise of the Mali Empire?

Sundiata Keita unified fractured tribes and established a strong central government that controlled trade and expanded territory.

Examine the role of agriculture in sustaining the large population of the Aztec Empire.

Agricultural innovations, such as chinampas, enabled intensive farming, which supported a dense population and urban centers.