Chapter 12 Early Civilizations of the americas
World Cultures II Chapter 12 Early Civilizations of the americas Section 1 South America and the Incas
Define Key Terms Incas Andes Cuzco Census Quipo Terraces Incas People of a powerful South American empire during the1400s and 1500s. Andes A mountain chain of western South America. Cuzco The capital city of the Incan empire, located in presentday Peru. Census An official count of people in a certain place at acertain time. Quipu A group of knotted strings used by the Incans torecord information. Terraces Steplike ledges cut into mountains to make landsuitable for farming. Section 1 Reading Read pages 336-341
Be ready to take notes on the section. Incas Very large and powerful empire located in theAndes mountain range and along the pacificcoast of South America. Empire stretched through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,Chile and Argentina. Incas Became one of the largest empires in SouthAmerica during the 1400s, containing apopulation of 12 million people. The empire was very organized which helpedmaintain its dominance in the area. Inca Government The Inca government recorded statistics on itspeople which helped keep taxes andresponsibilities accounted for. Why do you think keep track of citizens in agovernment is important for its growth as anempire? Fall of the Incas The Inca empire began to collapse after the1400s due to mistrust and rebellion against thegovernment. In addition to the peoples no longer believing intheir emperor, many invaders targeted the Incasdue to its wealth. Section 1 Assessment Go to page 341.
Copy the Section 1 Assessment (Comprehensionand Critical Thinking Questions 1a through 2c) Answer each question using information fromthe reading. Section 1 Assessment 1A. Identify Name two geographic settings in which peoples of theAmericas lived. Two of the following; dense forests, fertile river valleys, rocky cliffs,mountainous regions, mountainous Andes or along the Pacific coast 1B. Synthesize Information What are the climates of those tworegions. Dense forests were filled with trees and plants with consistent rainfall. Section 1 Assessment 1C. Infer How might the people who lived in these regions haveadapted to their geography and climate? People would adapt by building homes suitable to the climate andutilizing available materials ; by making clothing suitable for the climate;by utilizing available plants and animals; by using stone to build terracesto increase farm production. 2A. Recall How much land did the Incan Empire cover at its greatestextent? 2,500 miles Section 1 Assessment 2B. Explain How did the government in Cuzco keep track of distantparts of the empire? Incas recorded statistics on quipus and runners brought them togovernment officials. 2C. Draw Conclusions What do you think were the major problemsof keeping such a large empire running smoothly? Explain youranswer. Example Answers: It was probably difficult to maintain a large enougharmy to protect the entire empire from invasion. It was probably difficultto maintain control over such a large area and diverse population. Section 2 Culture of Middle America
Define Key Terms Aztecs Tenochtitln Mayas Slash-and-Burn Agriculture Maize Hieroglyphics Section 2 Terms Aztecs a people who lived in the Valley of Mexico. Section 2 Terms Tenochtitln capital city of the Aztecs Section 2 Terms Mayas People who established a great civilization in MiddleAmerica. Section 2 Terms Slash-and-Burn Agriculture
a farming technique in which trees are cut down andburned to clear and fertilize the land. Section 2 Terms Maize Another word for corn. Section 2 Terms Hieroglyphics
the signs and symbols that made up the Mayanwriting system. Section 2 Reading Read pages Be ready to take notes. Aztecs A civilization that was located in the Valley of Mexico.
Aztecs developed aqueducts in order to transportwater throughout their farms and fields. The Aztecs had a strict class structure which consistedof the Royalty, Nobility, Soldiers, Artisans, Farmers andthen the lowest on the list were prisoners. Aztecs Chinampas were raised fields located around lakes bythe capital. These island gardens provided moreland to farm. Aztec calendars were used to calculate seasons forfarming. The calendars had 13 months lastingapproximately 20 days. Aztecs In 1519-1521, the Spanish invaded and conquered the Aztecs.
Emperor Moctezuma led the fight for the Aztecs,which suffered big losses due to diseases the Spanishcarried with them. Mayas Mayas were influenced by previous civilizations suchas the Olmec. The Mayans used the Slash-and-Burn method tofertilize and clear out their fields. This method was verysuccessful for their agriculture. Mayas The Mayans developed a system of writing calledHieroglyphics which was important for communicationand also to record history. The Mayans played a game called Pok-ta-tok whichwas similar to basketball and soccer mixed together. Mayas The Mayans began abandoning their civilization around 900 A.D.
Reasons for abandonment include: Drought Crop Failures War Disease Rebellion against Mayan Leaders Section 2 Assessment Using what you have read and took notes on copy theSection 2 Assessment Questions (Comprehension andCritical Thinking Questions 1a through 2c) Answer each question using information from thereading. Section 2 Assessment 1A Recall What activity was the basis of Mayan life? Farming 1B Explain How did the Mayan religion reflect theimportance of this activity? The Mayan rain-god and sun-god were important because therain and sun were needed for growing maize. Section 2 Assessment 1C Infer What do you think is the most likely reason theMayans abandoned their cities? Explain you answer. Reasons might include crop failure, war, disease, overuse ofnatural resources, or rebellion against leaders. Section 2 Assessment 2A Describe How did the Aztec Expire expand?
By conquering neighboring villages and peoples. 2B Synthesis How did the Aztecs treat the peoples theyconquered in war? Conquered peoples had to pay tribute to the emperor. Some peoplecaptured in war were used as human sacrifices. Section 2 Assessment 2C Draw Conclusions Why might some of the peoplesconquered by the Aztecs have wanted to overthrow theemperor? Possible Answers: They resented their treatment and having to pay tributes. They wanted to return their village to sovereignty. They felt the emperor did not share their interests. Compare and Contrast Based off of what you know about the civilizations ofAncient Egypt, write a list in your notebook that showsthe similarities and differences between Ancient Egyptand Ancient Middle America. Why do you think there are so many similarities? Section 3 Cultures of North America
Define Key Terms Mound Builders Ancestral Puebloans Pueblo Kiva Great Plains Section 3 Terms Mound Builders
Native American groups who built earthen mounds. Section 3 Terms Ancestral Puebloans
Early Native American peoples of the southwest. Section 3Terms Pueblo Cluster of Native American stone or adobe dwellings. Section 3Terms Kiva A round room used by the Pueblo peoples for religiousceremonies. Section 3 Terms Great Plains
A mostly flat and grassy region of western NorthAmerica. Section 3 Reading Read pages 352-358
Be ready to take notes in your notebook. Mound Builders Many mound builders created their earthworkbetween 700 B.C. to 1250 A.D. Often times these mounds mark the presence of gravesor important landmarks. There were many different civilizations that wereconsidered mound builders such as the Adena,Hopewell culture and the Mississippians. Mound Builders The Adena were located in the Ohio Valley around 600B.C.They used mounds to mark the locations of tombsand weapon. They also participated in long distancetrade. The Hopewell Culture were located along the Ohio andupper Mississippi rivers. They traded among a wider areathan the Adena. The reason for their disappearance isunknown. Mound Builders The Mississippians showed up around 700 A.D. and werethe most important of the mound builders. They were able to trade and inhabit the South andMidwest United States. They utilized various forms of agriculture for food and fortrade which helped boost their presence. People of the Southwest and Great Plains
The Ancestral Puebloans, Pueblo and Plains Indians livedin and around the Southwest and Great Plains region ofthe United States. These civilizations were not very powerful military-wise. However, they did create goods and traded throughoutthe region which made them a presence in the era. Ancestral Puebloans The Ancestral Puebloans were also known as Anasazi. These early Native Americans were known for makingartistic goods which were often used for trade. During , major droughts hit the region andmany abandoned their cities to search for more suitableland. Pueblo Peoples The Pueblos lived in the same region as the AncestralPuebloans, however they focused on shelter. They built Adobe style homes out of clay and stone. They were skilled farmers that used their adobe dwellingsto store food which helped them during droughts andunfortunate times during the harvest season. Plains Indians Located in the Great Plains region of the United States,these native people used sign language to trade amongeach other. The Plains Indians used tipis for their homes because theywere often travelling and tipis were easy to set up andand take down. Unfortunately, European settlers came and took overthese native peoples lands. Section 3 Assessment Read pages 352-358
Copy the Section 3 Assessment Questions(Comprehension and Critical Thinking Questions 1athrough 3b) Answer each question using information from thereading. Section 3 Assessment 1A Sequence List the three groups mound builders, fromearliest to latest. Adena, Hopewell and Mississippians. 1B Compare In what ways were the three groups alike? They built mounds, carried on long-distance trade andgrew a variety of crops. Section 3 Assessment 2A Define What is the climate of southwestern NorthAmerica? It has cold, dry winters and hot dry summers. 2B Identify Cause and Effect Why did peoples of thisregion build pueblos rather than other types of structure? They used available materials such as sun dried adobebricks or stone cliffs. Section 3 Assessment 3A Define What are the totem poles and potlatches? A totem pole is a carved, painted log stood on end thattypically had images of animals carved into and paintedon it Potlatches were a ceremony held by a person of high rankto show wealth. Section 3 Assessment 3B Infer How were totem poles and potlatches symbolsof a familys wealth? Possible Answers: An elaborate totem pole with intricate carvings and paintingsmight signify wealth because it indicated that the ownermight have had more free time to create it or could afford topay a good artist to create it. At potlatches, people were able to show how wealthy theywere by giving guests expensive gifts.