AP world 2.2

Lesson 2.2: American Cultures, 1200–1450

Main Characteristics of Major Cultures in the Americas

North of Mexico: Mississippian Culture

  • Moundbuilders:

    • Mississippians are known as Moundbuilders (a term for various early American civilizations). They built enormous mounds and imitated Central American cultures.

  • Agriculture and Crops:

    • Primarily relied on the 'three sister' crops: corn, beans, and squash.

  • Urban Development:

    • Cities were similar in layout to Mesoamerican civilizations.

  • Cahokia:

    • The largest city north of Mexico. Reached a population of approximately 40,000 residents.

    • Its size was only surpassed by Philadelphia around 1800. It flourished within the Postclassical era (c. 1050–1200 CE), declining before 1400 CE.

  • Eastern Tribes:

    • Farmed along the East Coast and engaged in seasonal foraging.

    • Great Plains: Farmed river bottoms, occasionally hunting buffalo.

    • Northwest natives: Foraged due to abundant rainfall and plentiful resources.

  • Southwestern Cultures:

    • Tribes (e.g., Hohokam, Anasazi) practiced agriculture despite arid conditions.

    • Developed complex irrigation systems.

    • Created ceremonial and residential cliff dwellings (e.g., Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon) with multi-story buildings, flourishing from c. 1000–1300 CE.

    • Traded with Central America for items like turquoise, copper, and seed corn.

  • Disruptions:

    • The late Postclassical centuries (from c. 1200–1450) brought water issues and competition for food, causing settlement abandonment and relocation, similar to Maya society.

Central America: The Aztecs (Mexica)

  • Origins:

    • According to legend, they migrated from Aztlan and settled on Lake Texcoco, where they built their capital.

  • Cultural Development:

    • Nahuatl-speaking foragers became the Mexica, linking with established peoples in Central Mexico.

    • Capital city: Tenochtitlán, founded in 1325 CE on an island in Lake Texcoco.

  • Agriculture and Economy:

    • Practiced intensive agriculture using chinampas (floating gardens) and irrigation, which supported urban specialization beyond farming.

    • Trade was primarily conducted through barter.

  • Political Structure and Military:

    • Formed the Triple Alliance in 1428 CE (joining Tenochtitlán, Texcoco, and Tlacopan), controlling approximately 500 smaller city-states and a population of 5 to 6 million people.

    • Conquered regions became client states, paying tribute in local commodities, rather than provinces.

  • Tribute System and Feudal Characteristics:

    • The empire was characterized by feudal-like relationships, not strict imperial control. Leaders often retained power or were chosen anew, and alliances were strengthened through marriage.

  • Cultural Practices:

    • Inherited calendar systems from earlier cultures (e.g., Maya, Toltecs).

    • Conducted the New Fire Ceremony every 52 years, lighting a new flame from a sacrificial victim.

  • Deities and Beliefs:

    • Worshiped gods like Quetzalcoatl and Huitzilopochtli (god of sun and war).

    • Central themes of life and death led to frequent blood sacrifices, believed necessary for sun and agricultural fertility.

  • Flower Wars:

    • Ritual battles against enemies to capture skilled opponents for sacrifice, rather than indiscriminate killing. Emphasized military skill and capturing victims.

South America: The Incas

  • Rise to Power:

    • Named their empire Tawantinsuyu (“The Four Quarters”), with Cuzco as the political center.

    • Expanded through scouting and diplomacy, with many regions capitulating under threat or lure of benefits, primarily from c. 1400 CE onwards.

  • Road Systems:

    • Created an extensive network (Carpa Nan) of approximately 25,000 miles of stone roadways for trade and governance.

    • Llama and human transport replaced conventional wheeled vehicles; trade volume remained light.

    • Messengers could traverse about 150 miles per day.

  • Records and Histories:

    • Had no writing system. Records were kept via quipu (knotted strings) and reliance on oral transmissions by designated memorizers.

  • Societal Structure:

    • Populations were organized into groups (e.g., in multiples of ten) for labor, military, and support.

    • Encouraged self-sufficiency with centralized grain storehouses for emergencies.

  • Craftsmanship:

    • Incan craftsmen excelled in gold, silver (symbolic of sun and moon), and stone works.

    • Architecture showcased vulnerability to earthquakes through trapezoidal walls and featured a distinct imperial style visible across the empire.