CH 16

What were characteristics of Incan societies?

Believed in the "Sun God" ((( theocracy ))) Lived on a mountain >>> Lacked natural water/resources Terrace farming

What is known about Maya cities?

Whats known about the Maya cities were each of it's cities becoming independent and ruled by a god king, as well as religious and a trade center.These cities were large, held large capacity, and built with temples, palaces and pyramids.

Anasazi

Early Native American people who lived in the Southwest

obsidian

Hard, volcanic glass used by early peoples to make sharp weapons

Tikal

Maya city in present-day Guatemala

How was Aztec society organized?

The Aztec society was organized as the Emperor above all, Military Leader, government officials and nobles below, below them were commoners merchants, craft workers, soldiers, and farmers. Lastly, were the slaves.

Why and how did the Aztecs sacrifice to the sun god?

The Aztecs sacrifice to the sun god was religious rituals. The most important Priests made the sacrifice of human blood to make sure that the sun god was happy, and the sun would rise every day. People taken captive in war were sacrificed.

Why did the Incan Empire fall?

The Incan Empire fell due to the death of Huayna Capac. After his death, civil war broke out between his two sons. Atahualpa won, but the war brought down the empire. Then later faced invasion of the Spanish, who took advantage of their weakness. And resulted in division and conquest within the Empire.

How does Maya writing reflect Maya culture?

The Mayan writing shows evidence in Mayan culture through their advancement through astronomy, and recorded historical events.

What was Teotihuacán?

The Teotihuacán was an early city-state also known as "City of the Gods." Brought about withing the first century, and its downfall was by 750.

What beliefs and practices related to Inca rulers?

The beliefs and practices that the Inca believed was their ruler was related to the sun god, and would bring wealth and power to them. And only men from one of 11 noble families believed to be descendants of the sun god could serve as king.

Why did conquered peoples rebel against the Aztecs?

The common people rebelled against the Aztecs because they didn't like the though of sacrifice in exchange of sunlight.

What was mita, and what forms did it take?

The mita was free labor that was required of all adults. They were to spend some days each year working for the state.

Name three features shared by Native American groups.

The world was full of spirits and that people had to follow certain rituals and customs to live in peace. Emphasis on the family as the most important social unit. Family included parents, children, grandparents, and other relatives. Native Americans also shared great respect for the land, which they did not believe that people could own.

ayllu

Small community or clan whose members worked together for the common good

Triple Alliance

Association of city-states that led to the formation of the Aztec Empire

totems

Animals or other natural objects that serve as symbols of clans or other groups

quipu

Arrangement of knotted strings on a cord used by the Inca to record numerical information

Popul Vuh

Book containing a Maya story of creation

codex

Book with bark-paper pages; only three of these ancient Maya books have survived

potlatch

Ceremonial giving practiced by some Native American societies in the Pacific Northwest

Iroquois

Native American peoples from the eastern Great Lakes region of North America who formed an alliance in the late 1500s

glyph

Picture symbol used as part of a writing system

Explain the cultural differences between the Anasazi and the Mississippians.

The Anasazi were more reliant on human strength and power, and lacked in specialized workers. While the Mississippians prospered within villages and were more military like.

Explain the rise and fall of Maya

RISE Writing System Trade Strong Leadership Location >>> Central America FALL Warfare (INTERNAL) Overuse Of Soil

Why do empires rise and fall?

RISE: Good Trade | Access to Resources | Stable food Supply | Strong Government FALL: Weak Government | Weak Military | Invasion | Unemployment

Mississippian

Related to the Mound Builder culture that flourished in North America between A.D. 800 and 1500

mita

Requirement for all Incan subjects to work for the state a certain number of days each year

Montezuma II

Ruler under whom the Aztec Empire weakened

Pachacuti

Ruler under whom the Incan Empire grew quickly

Evaluate (Analyze) Aztec Civilizations

Stone>>>Wood>>>Bronze>>>Copper>>>Iron

Quetzalcoatl

Toltec god

Name two reasons that may explain the Maya civilization's decline.

Two reasons that may explain the Maya civilizations decline because warfare between the different city-states disrupted Maya society. Due to the war, there was a loss in trade, which drove citizens out of the city, into the jungle. Lastly, another reason may be that the soil became less productive due to intensive farming over a long time.

pueblos

Villages of large apartment-like buildings made of clay and stone by peoples of the American Southwest. Like in the Southwes