unit 1 State Building in Mesoamerican and North American Civilizations

What characterized the power structure of Mesoamerican civilizations?

Mesoamerican civilizations had a decentralized power structure, where conquered peoples were set up as tributary states.

What is centralized power?

Centralized power refers to a government where authority is concentrated in a single entity.

What were key features of the Maya civilization (250-900 CE)?

The Maya civilization built urban centers, developed a writing system, and had mathematical concepts including zero. They operated as a decentralized collection of city-states often at war.

What was the significance of human sacrifice in Maya culture?

The Maya emphasized human sacrifice as they believed the sun was a deity.

What was the Aztec Empire and when did it exist?

The Aztec Empire, established by the Mexica people, existed from 1345 to 1528 CE.

How did the Mexica people establish the Aztec Empire?

The Mexica, semi-nomadic people, consolidated power through military alliances with other Mesoamerican states by 1428.

What claim did the Mexica make to legitimize their rule?

The Mexica claimed heritage from older, more renowned Mesoamerican civilizations.

What were the religious motivations behind Aztec expansion?

The Aztecs expanded their empire to secure human blood for the sun, which was a religious motivation.

What was the capital city of the Aztec Empire?

The capital city of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlan.

What economic features were present in Tenochtitlan?

Tenochtitlan had a vast population, established markets, and a commercialized economy.

What characterized the Wari civilization around 1000 CE?

The Wari civilization was part of a series of societies developed along the Andean mountains.

What was the Mit'a System established by the Inca Empire?

The Mit'a System required the labor of everyone for a period each year to work on state projects such as mining or military service.

What was the Mississippian culture known for?

The Mississippian culture, established in the Mississippi River Valley, was known for being the first large-scale civilization in North America and for its extensive mound-building projects.

What was the purpose of the mounds built by the Mississippian culture?

The mounds acted as burial sites for important individuals and hosted religious ceremonies.

What was Cahokia?

Cahokia was the largest urban center of the Mississippian culture.

How did Chaco and Mesa Verde societies adapt to their environment?

Chaco carved sandstone blocks for structures and imported timber, while Mesa Verde built housing complexes into cliff sides using sandstone.

What challenges did Chaco and Mesa Verde societies face?

They faced dry conditions with limited timber resources for construction.

What was a significant agricultural feature of the Mississippian culture?

The society was developed around agriculture and was thoroughly hierarchical.

What innovations did Chaco and Mesa Verde develop for water storage?

Both societies created innovative methods to store water due to their dry environments.

What role did warfare play in the expansion of the Aztec Empire?

Warfare was used to expand the empire and secure human sacrifices for religious purposes.

What was the significance of urban centers in the Maya civilization?

Urban centers in the Maya civilization were crucial for political, religious, and economic activities.