World History - Chapter 16 - Study Guide

What three explanations have been given for the collapse of the Maya civilization?

- Many physical and human resources funneled into religious activities - Frequent warfare occurs between kingdoms - Population growth creates need for more land

Why did the tribes of upper New York form a political alliance?

According to legend, Chief Hiawatha helped to create this league. His goal was to promote joint defense and cooperation among the tribes.

How were Incan and Aztec religious practices similar? How were they different?

As with the Aztecs, religion was important to the Inca and helped reinforce the power of the state. Both were polytheistic, but the Inca worshiped fewer gods than the Aztecs. The Incas often sacrificed animals instead of people, like the Aztecs.

How did the Aztecs rule their empire?

At the height of the Aztec Empire, military leaders held great power in Aztec society; the empire was ruled by nobles. They collected tribute from their conquered peoples. They also formed the triple alliance.

Why do you think the Aztecs allowed some conquered peoples to govern themselves with relatively little interference?

I think the Aztecs rarely interfered with their conquered peoples to maintain peace.

How do you think the Aztecs were able to establish an extensive empire in such a relatively short period of time?

I think the Aztecs were able to grow strong quickly because of their alliances. Another reason why they might have grown strong quickly was because of their trading.

How do the characteristics of Maya civilization compare with the characteristics of a typical civilization?

Maya built many large urban centers like Tikal. Maya also traded many goods and natural resources to other civilizations.

What was the basis of Maya life?

Religion influenced most aspects of Maya life. The Maya believed in many gods. The Maya worshiped their gods in various ways. Sometimes the Maya even carried out human sacrifice, usually of captured enemies.

On what was Teotihuacán's power and wealth based?

Teotihuacán became the center of a thriving trade network that extended far into Central America; Its wealth was based on trade.

For what purpose did the Mound Builder cultures use earthen mounds?

The Adena used their mounds to bury the dead. Some mounds in other cultures may have been used for other purposes like religious ceremonies.

How were the Inca able to conquer such a vast empire?

The Inca were able to conquer such a vast empire under a powerful and ambitious ruler, Pachacuti. Under his leadership and strong military, the Inca conquered all of Peru and then moved into neighboring lands.

Why was the calendar important for the Maya religion?

The Maya believed that each day was a living god whose behavior could be predicted with the help of a system of calendars. The Maya believed that time was a burden carried on the back of a god. At the end of a day, month, or year, one god would lay the burden down and another would pick it up.

Why was trade important to the Maya civilization?

The Maya civilization was made of many city-states that were linked through trade and alliances. Without this trade-alliance, Maya would not have been as strong.

Why might the people of the Northwest consider the potlatch to be a good way to signal social standing and wealth?

The Northwest Coast tribes developed societies in which differences in wealth created social classes. If one family gave more expensive gifts, they would be considered to be more wealthy.

How did the environment affect the development of the cultures of the Northwest Coast?

The Pacific Northwest was rich in resources and supported a sizable population. The most important resource was the sea. In this abundant environment, the Northwest Coast tribes developed societies in which differences in wealth created social classes.

How did the environment affect the development of the cultures of the Southwest?

The dry, desert lands of the Southwest were a much harsher environment than the temperate Pacific coastlands. However, as early as 1500 B.C., the peoples of the Southwest were beginning to farm the land.

In what ways did the peoples of North America share similar cultural patterns?

The family was the basis for social organization for Native Americans. Common among Native American clans was the use of totems. Native American religious beliefs included great respect for the land as the source of life. Native Americans used the land but tried to alter it as little as possible.

What role did the mita play in building the Incan Empire?

The labor tribute in the Incan empire was known as mita. It required all able-bodied citizens to work for the state a certain number of days every year. Citizens had to work for the state and help build things in return for the government taking care of them.

What was the most important resource for the peoples of the Northwest? Why?

The most important resource was the sea because that is where they hunted whales, their main food source.

What methods did the Inca use to create unity among the diverse peoples in their empire?

The rulers divided their territory and its people into manageable units, much like states and provinces that we see today. They also imposed a single official language, Quechua, and founded schools to teach Incan ways.

Why might location have been important to the power and wealth of the Mississippian culture?

These people created thriving villages based on farming and trade. The reason why they were so rich from trade was because they could use the Mississippi River as a trade route.

How were the Aztecs able to overcome the problems associated with Tenochtitlán's island location?

To connect the island to the mainland, Aztec engineers built three raised roads, called causeways, over the water and marshland.