Civilizations in North and South America

Visiting Tenochtitlan

This great city of [Tenochtitlan] is situated in this salt lake. . . . There are four . . . entrances to the city, all of which are formed by artificial [walkways]. . . . The city is as large as Seville or Cordova; its streets . . . are very wide and straight. . . . All the streets at intervals have openings, through which the water flows . . . ; and at these openings, some of which are very wide, there are also very wide bridges, composed of large pieces of timber, of great strength and well put together; on many of these bridges ten horses can go abreast.

Aztec Class Structure

- Huey tlatoani (the emperor) - Government officials, priests, and warriors - Commoners - Peasants - Enslaved people

Maya Religious Life

A polytheistic religion played an important role in Maya life. The Mayas: • built stepped-pyramid temples. • practiced religious rituals, such as human sacrifice.

Aztec Religious Life

A polytheistic religion was a central part of Aztec life. The Aztecs: • brought together practices and principles from diffrent religions. • practiced such rituals as sacrifice and bloodletting.

Comparing the Aztec and Maya

Decide whether each statement describes the Aztecs, the Mayas, or both cultures.

How do early Mesoamerican and South American civilizations compare to one another?

Early American Civiliations Red - Aztecs Green - Mayas Orange - Incas

The Aztecs

In 1427, the Aztec city-states merged into a powerful empire that: • was ruled by an emperor. • conquered and controlled hundreds of tribute states. • used its strong military to control its empire.

What impression does Cortés give about the city of Tenochtitlán?

It is well-built and well-organized.

The Mayas

Match the people, places, and terms with the phrases that best define them.

The Olmecs

Pink - Mexico Dark Orange - Orange - Green - Yucatan Peninsula

The Aztecs

Pink - Mexico Orange - Tenochititlán

Zapotec Culture

Some key components of Zapotec culture were: • Polytheistic religion • Stepped pyramids • Ball courts

Tenochtitlán

Tenochtitlán was the capital of the Aztec empire. This city: • contained plazas, pyramids, palaces, and canals. • had zoos, a botanical garden, and an aquarium. • established schools. • was one of the largest in the world. • was conquered by the Spanish in 1521.

The Chavín Civilization

The Chavíns formed the earliest civilization in the Andes region of South American. They: • developed methods for farming in the mountains. • unified many tribes under one religion. • created stone carvings and pottert and built temples.

Use the drop-down menus to complete the statements.

The Mayas built temples in honor of religous devotion. The Mayas lived in a civilization governed city-states until 900, when they declined because of drought. • religious devotion • city-states • drought

The Mayas

The Mayas built their settlement in the rain forests of Central America. They: • practiced slash-and-burn agriculture • devoloped terrace farming and irragation systems to feed their population

City-States

The Mayas lived in independent city-states, where they: • governed themeselves and the surrouding countryside. • developed trade alliances with each other. • fought each other to establish dominace.

The Olmecs

The Olmecs were the first civilization in Mesoamerican. They: • practiced agriculture. • constructed earthen pyramids and stone monuments.

Use the drop-down menus to complete the statements.

The Olmecs ✔ were the first civilization in Mesoamerica ✔ They practiced agriculture and were known for large stone carvings shaped like heads ✔ - Olmecs - Mesoamerica - heads

The Zapotecs

The Zapotec civilization began about 1500 BCE. • It was an agricultral society. • Monte Alban was its largest city-state.

Pakal (603-683)

• Became king of the city-state of Palenque • Communissioned art, architecture, and inscriptions throughout the city

Match the people, places, and terms with the phrases that best define them.

• Mesoamerica - area that extends from central Mexico through Belize • city-states - a city that governs itself and the surrounding area • Pakal - the king of the city of Palenque • slash-and-burn agriculture - fertilizing the soil by burning plants