WH Unit 7

What four factors led to the collapse of the Aztec Civilization. Briefly discuss each of these factors.

The four factors that led to the collapse of the Aztec Civilization were alliances, weapons, geography, and disease. The Spanish had made more allies in the region who game them supplies, information, and warriors. The Spanish also had better weapons than the Aztecs, such as cannons, armor, swords, and horses. The Spanish were able to cut off the capital city so the Aztecs had no food or water causing them to die of starvation. Lastly, the Spanish had brought deadly diseases such as smallpox to the Americas which killed lots of Aztecs.

Why was Tenochtitlan considered the greatest city in the Americas during the time of the Aztecs.

Tenochtitlan was the greatest city during this time period because it was very advanced and civilized. The city had invented many new things that made the city advanced and unique. Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire. It was built in the middle of a lake on an island. The Aztecs built causeways, or raised roads across water or wet ground so people could access the city. The Aztecs built stone canals to bring water to the city and floating gardens to grow food and flowers. The city had huge temples , a busy market, clean streets, and magnificent palaces. The city was considered the greatest city in the Americas during the time period because of all of these things.

Discuss the role of sacrifice in Aztec Culture.

The Aztecs believed that keeping the gods happy meant that their lives would be blessed. The greatest number of sacrifices were made to the war god and the rain god. Priests led the sacrificial rituals which took place on top of the temples that had been built. Humans were sacrificed because it was believed that the human hearts and blood wold "feed" the gods and keep them strong. Aztec priests sacrificed as many as 10,000 victims a year in religious sacrifices.

Explain terrace farming.

The Inca Empire was built high in the Andes Mountains, so there was not a lot of flat farmland. They had to invent a different type of farming- terrace farming. They created flat land by building steps/terraces of land for agriculture down the mountainside. This was great for irrigation, the steps channeled rain through each step and they also built aqueducts to water the crops. Acres of farmland covered much of the Incan Empire. The stones used to support terrace farming would gather heat throughout the day and during the night would distribute the heat to the plants.

How did the Sapa Inca organize his government? What groups of people helped the Sapa Inca rule his empire?

The Inca government was a strong central government. The Sapa Inca was the head of the government- Sapa Inca meant "Only Inca". Everything belonged to him, he was all powerful. The Sapa Inca would put his relatives in positions of power so they would agree with him and do what he said. Sometimes nobles helped him rule his empire as well. Punishment for breaking laws was harsh and swift so almost no one ever broke the law. There were other harsh government controls in the Empire as well. Tight government controls kept the common people fed, clothed, and enslaved. Everybody worked for the state, and in turn the state looked after everybody. Every common person had to pay a service tax, sometime people would do physical labor to pay the tax. Local officials also kept a census, an official count of the people in the area.

What are the four distinct social classes of Aztec society? Briefly describe the role of each class.

Aztec society was divided by roles and class- their roles determined how they lived. The four classes were kings and nobles, warriors and priests, merchants and artisans, and farmers and slaves. The King was the most powerful person who was in charge of many things in the kingdom. The nobles helped the king manage the kingdom, they were mainly tax collectors and judges. Then, priests had many duties such as deciding when to plant crops and hold religious ceremonies. Warriors fought to capture victims for religious sacrifices, brought great wealth to the kingdom, and were well respected. Next were the merchants who became rich from gathering goods and selling them in the market, and the artisans who made gold jewelry and headdresses. Farmers and slaves were the lowest class- most people were farmers but they were very poor and didn't own their own land. Slaves were captured people from battles or people who could not pay their debts. They were laborers and if they did not obey they were sacrificed.

Why were Inca roads significant? Why was being a roadrunner so important?

The Incan empire was connected with 14,000 miles of well built roads that were sometimes over 24 feet wide. They were even paved. Some roads were so steep that they had to build stone walls along the edge to prevent people falling. The roads belonged to the government and no one could travel on them without special permission. The roads were there to help them transport goods, communicate, and served as a way to divide the empire into four different divisions. Roadrunners were typically men between 18 and 25 years old, who travelled the Inca roads to deliver messages. Roadrunners had to be very healthy and athletic to be constantly running and delivering messages probably. They were very important since they had to deliver messages far away for the king. Roadrunners and the roads helped the empire communicate outside of their area.

What is the significance of the Popol Vuh?

The Popol Vuh was the most important sacred book in Mayan society. The Popol Vuh was the Mayan Creation myth that taught that the gods had created human beings out of maize and water. Hunab Ku was the creator god. This is how Mayan religion reflected the fundamental role of agriculture. The Popol Vuh connected agriculture and religion in the Mayan society.

Discuss the harsh government controls placed on the Inca.

The Sapa Inca put harsh government laws in the kingdom- some of the laws dictated when people should work and where, and punishment for breaking the laws usually meant the death penalty. Local officials had the power to make all decisions about the lives of the people. Inspectors could visit frequently to check on things. Tight government controls kept the common people fed, clothed, and enslaved, though. It was a very organized, strong government.

What was the "ball game"? How was the "ball game" connected to the Maya religion?

The ball game was a Mayan game inherited from the Olmecs that was an important part of Mayan political and religious festivals. The object of the game was to propel an 8 ball of solid baked rubber through a ring or onto a marker without using your hands. High-ranking captives were forced to play the game for their very lives. The ball game is connected to the Mayan religion because the losers became religious sacrificial victims. They faced torture and execution immediately following the match.