Mesoamerica

The Maya

  • Near Cancun, Mexico
  • 250-900s
  • Southern Mexico and Northern Central

Specialized Workers

  • Warriors and Priests
  • Merchants and Craftsmen
  • Peasant Farmers

Complex Institutions

  • The government was a theocracy (independent city ruled by god-kings)
  • The religion was polytheistic and included elaborate ceremonies and blood/human sacrifices.

Advanced

  • Tikal Copan Religious Center and Trade Center
  • Tens of thousands of people

Advanced Technologies

  • The buildings: palaces, temples, and pyramids
  • Farming: Cleared forests and dug channels, grew maize, beans, and squash
  • Math, Astronomy, and Calendars

Record Keeping

  • Hieroglyphics
  • Calendars

Mayan Ball Game

  • Ball through a hoop, without using hands
  • Filled with ritualistic importance
  • The winner is considered the hero, and the loser is put to death

Reasons for Decline

  • There are many theories that include:
    • warfare, depleted soils, disease, overpopulation, peasant revolts, and food shortage

The Aztec

  • Near Mexico City
  • 1200s to 1500s
  • Central Mexico
  • Chinampas
  • Specialized Workers:
    • Emperor = god/ruler
    • Military leaders, government officials, priest
    • Merchants, craftsmen, soldiers, farmers
    • Slaves = captives from battle
  • Complex Institutions
    • The government was an empire based on military conquest and collecting tribute
    • There was a theocracy which meant that the king was considered a god
  • Advanced Cities
    • Tenochtitlan - an island in the middle of the lake with 200,000 people
    • City planning - government center and religious complex
  • Advanced Technology
    • Herbs and Medicines
    • Steam Baths
  • Record Keeping
    • Calendars
  • Cause for Decline
    • Spanish Invaders (Hernan Cortes vs. Montezuma II)
    • Diseases - Smallpox
  • Gender Roles
    • Usually established at birth
    • Boys receive machetes as gifts
    • Girls received a stone for grinding corn
    • Aztec women who gave birth to a warrior son were given a high honor
    • If a woman died giving birth, there was a belief that she rode with the Sun God across the sky every day.

The Inca

  • 1400s-1500s
  • Peru, Chile
  • Specialized Workers
    • Ruler
    • Nobles and Priests
    • Builders, Workers, Farmers
  • Complex Institutions
    • Theocracy: Ruler related to Sun God
    • Government controlled the economy and provided welfare
    • Local groups of families led by chiefs
    • Religion was polytheistic
  • Advanced Technology
    • Irrigation and Step Terraces for Farming
  • Cause for Decline:
    • Spanish Invaders - Francisco Pizarro