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1.4 State Building in the Americas (1200-1450)

Mesoamerica

  • Historical Context: Maya Civilization (250-900 CE)
    • Built huge urban centers.
    • Sophisticated writing system.
    • Complex math, including the concept of zero.
    • Decentralized collection of city-states frequently at war.
    • Sought to create tributary states, where conquered regions remained somewhat independent but paid tribute (textiles, weapons, building materials).
    • Emphasis on human sacrifice: Believed the sun deity needed the energy of human blood to combat darkness.

Aztec Empire (1345-1528)

  • Mexica people: Semi-nomadic group who migrated south in the 14th century.

    • Built military prowess and strategically married into powerful families.
    • In 1428, they allied with two other Mesoamerican states to establish the Aztec Empire.

  • Continuity with Older Mesoamerican States (e.g., Maya):

    • Decentralized political power structure with tributary states.
    • Conquered peoples provided regular tribute payments (food, animals, building materials).
    • Wars of expansion motivated by religious beliefs (human sacrifice for the sun god).
    • Claimed heritage from older, renowned Mesoamerican people to secure legitimacy.

  • City-Building Projects:

    • Tenochtitlan: Capital city with a population of 150,000-200,000.
    • Vast marketplaces indicating a commercialized economy.
    • Elaborate palaces and pyramid temples (one 200 feet tall).

Andean Civilizations

  • Wari: Significant earlier society that collapsed around 1000 CE.

  • Inca Empire (mid-1400s):

    • Established in roughly the same area as the Wari and borrowed from older civilizations, including the Wari.
    • Similar to Aztecs: Outsiders who rose to power through military strength and rapid expansion.

  • Differences from Aztecs:

    • Centralized power structure with a massive bureaucracy to ensure the ruler's will was followed.
    • Mita system: Required labor payments from conquered people for state projects (mining, military service) for a period of time each year.
    • Used systems employed by earlier civilizations like the Wari: religion-centered political structure and the use and expansion of infrastructure, including vast networks of roads and bridges.

North America

  • Mississippian Culture (8th-9th century CE):

    • Established in the Mississippi River Valley.
    • First large-scale civilization in North America.
    • Society developed around farming due to fertile soil.
    • Political structure dominated by powerful chiefs known as the Great Sun, ruling each town and extending power over smaller settlements.
    • Hierarchical society.
    • Extensive mound-building projects as burial sites and for religious ceremonies.
      • Cahokia: Largest urban center with the biggest mound.

  • Chaco and Mesa Verde Societies (Southwest US):

    • Developed after the rise of the Mississippian culture.
    • Dry climate required innovative water transport and storage methods.

  • Chaco:

    • Carved sandstone blocks and imported timber to build massive structures.

  • Mesa Verde:

    • Built housing complexes into the sides of cliffs using sandstone.