civilizations in the americas
Post on 06-Jan-2016
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Civilizations in the Americas
These societies share a lot in common and are largely building
on the traditions of previous inhabitants.
Mesoamerica
• Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
• Similar culture, religion, social structure throughout partially due to influence of ancient Olmecs
Areas of the Aztec and Mayan Empires (cultural diffusion?)
Toltecs
• Central Mexico (influenced by Teotihuacan)
• Based on military power and conquest• Practiced human sacrifice
Toltec heritage: cultural diffusion, commercial influence on the American SW and possibly the Mississippi and Ohio River
valleys
Hopewell Mounds, Ohio
(What’s happening in Colorado at this time?)
Aztec
• Toltecs were replaced by the Aztec (Mexica), who took advantage of the Toltec’s decline
• They used their fighting skills to take control of the Lake Texcoco region
• Adopted political and social organization of Toltec
http://www.history.com/videos/mexico-god-gold-and-glory-the-rise-of-the-aztecs#mexico-god-gold-and-glory-the-rise-of-the-aztecs
Aztec calendar
• Fatalistic view of history-the world had been destroyed before and would be destroyed again (triggered by gods’ anger when human sacrifices were no longer sufficient)
Map of Tenochtitlan-possible drawn by Cortez
• Expanded the ritual of human sacrifice to unprecedented levels
Aztecs were also characterized by
• Militant warrior tradition• Priestly class to oversee rituals,
including human sacrifice• Ritualistic, polytheistic religion• Large urban capital
• Chinampa system led to increase in agriculture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgl5NBTXZzc (9:30+)
• The agricultural economy was centered around feeding the people
• Conquered people lost their land and had to pay the Aztecs tribute (taxes) with food, luxury goods and slaves
• A decentralized network of city-states paid tribute
• Defeated in 1521 by the Spanish
Aztec marketplace
Social classes
• Aztec society became more and more hierarchical.
Social classes:noblespriesthoodmilitaryscribesartisanshealersworkerscommoners
• Great divide developed between rich and poor
• Elite had special food and dress; elite men were polygamous
Aztec hairstyles
Ruins of Tenochtitlan
Moche
• Established in coastal Peru ~600 C.E.• Built canals and aqueducts• Created elaborate textiles using
llama/alpaca wool• Priests and warriors ranked highest; wore
fancy headdresses and gold jewelry• Declined with natural disasters; influenced
Inca
Moche
Incan Empire
• 1350-1540 C.E.
• South American Andes Mountain region: difficult environment for civilization, required special adjustments
• They conquered a large area of land and absorbed many tribes in central and western South America
• Domesticated largest available animals (llama, alpaca)
Location of Incan civilization
Machu Picchu
• In 90 years the empire grew into a stretch of land that covered over 3,000 miles from north to south
• They had a centralized empire with its capital in Cuzco (present day Peru)
• Extensive, irrigated agricultural economy that adapted to the rugged terrain of the Andes
• No writing; record-keeping using quipa, or knotted, colored strings
• Used collective, rotational labor system called mit’a for public works (roads, buildings, irrigation, etc) – each clan (allyu) contributed 1/7 of its men for these projects
quipu
Inca FortInca Road
Inca BridgeInca road system
• Large urban centers
• Polytheistic religion centered around worship of the sun
• Patriarchal society with few rights for women
• Privileged class of nobles, headed by the emperor
• Royal ancestors were revered and worshiped
• Impressive achievements in building with cut stone
Temple of the Sun
• Dress helped establish nobility and privilege
• State ran the economy so there was no merchant class
Conclusion
Aztecs and Incas built on many earlier traditions in these regions – e.g. agricultural systems, religion – while adapting and/or expanding on them
What’s the “glue” of these societies?
• Their religion: the ceremonies, military conquests, etc. were all shaped by their religion
• The leaders of these societies are both civil and religious leaders, so they held tremendous power.
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