Chapter 7: Civilizations of the Americas

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Geography: The Americas– 30,000 years ago, small family groups of

Paleolithic hunters and good gatherers reached North America from Asia.

– Great Migration…last ice age• Water froze…sea level dropped exposed a land bridge

between Siberia and Alaska.

– 10,000 BC…Earth grew warmer..ice melted…covering the land bridge

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Geography: The Americas– North America• The Rocky Mountains

– Middle (Central) America• East Sierra Madre• West Sierra Madre

– South America• Andes

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Agricultural Revolution– Farming may have been a response to the

disappearance of large mammals.– Had to cultivate the land and domesticate the

animals.– Farming people settled into villages…population

expanded and developed into cities.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Legacy of the Olmecs– Tropical forests along

the Mexican Gulf Coast 1400-500 BC

– Very little known…but rich tombs and temples point towards a powerful class of priests and aristocrats.

– Built ceremonial centers– Giant carved heads– Calendar

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• The World of the Mayas– AD 300-900– Farmers cleared the

forests and built raised fields that caught the rain.

– Tikal (Present-day Guatemala)• Wealth was gained from

trade• Largest structures in the

Americas until 1903 (Flatiron building)

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Social Classes– Each Mayan city had its own ruling chief.– Surrounded by nobles who served as military

leaders and officials who managed public works, collected taxes, and enforced laws.

– Priests held great power• Elaborate ceremonies to ensure good harvests.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Advances in Learning– Hieroglyphic writing system– Scribes kept their knowledge in books made of

bark– Developed two calendars– Developed a numbering system that included

zero.– Mayan Ball Game (Pg. 161)• Video

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• The Decline– A.D. 900 the Mayans abandoned the cities.– Not sure on the exact reason but maybe…• Frequent warfare• Overpopulation…over farming the land• Heavy taxes…peasant revolts

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• The Valley of Mexico– Teotihuacān (A.D. 100-

750)• Well planned, wide roads,

massive temples, and large apartment buildings.

• Citizens worshipped a powerful nature goddess and rain god.

• Eventually fell to invaders.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Arrival of the Aztecs– Moved in from the

North– Tenochtitlān (Present-

day Mexico City)– Chinampas: Artificial

islands made of earth that would float on water.• Video

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Conquering an Empire– Expanded their territory– Over most of Mexico (Gulf – Pacific)– By 1500: 30 million people– Tribute: Payment from conquered peoples.• Helped the Aztecs turn their capital into a magnificent

city.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• The World of the Aztecs– Spanish reached Tenochtitlān in 1519 and Cortēs

was awestruck with its magnificence.– Geography & History (pg. 163)

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Government and Society (Aztecs)– Had a single ruler who was chosen by a council of

nobles and priests to lead in war.– Below the ruler, nobles served as officials, judges,

and governors of conquered provinces.– Warriors could rise to noble status by killing or

capturing enemy soldiers– Commoners farmed the land– Slaves (criminals or POW) could buy their freedom

and land.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Religious Beliefs– Were a class apart– Performed rituals needed to please the man Aztec

gods.– Chief Aztec god was Huitzilopochtli (sun god)• Giant pyramid • Battled forces of darkness each night and was reborn

each morning.• Legend of the Five Suns (pg. 158)

– Human Sacrifices

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America

• Education and Learning– Priests were the keepers of Aztec knowledge• Recorded laws and historical events• Ran schools• Illness was a punishment from the gods

Section 2: The World of the Incas

• Read aloud in class• Group guides (Due FRIDAY!)– Geography– Government– Communication– Economy – Religion– Chosen Women

Section 3: Peoples of North America

The Desert Southwest: Anasazi• 4 corners• AD 900-1300• Built large villages (later

called pueblos)– Complex with 800 rooms– Terraces served as roads– Center was the plaza– Kiva: Large underground

chamber used for religious ceremonies.

• Attacked by Navajos & Apaches

• Traditions survived among the Hopi & other Pueblo Indians

Section 3: Peoples of North America

The Mound Builders• Mississippi & Ohio Valleys

farming cultures emerged as early as 700 BC– Adena & Hopewell (Ohio

Valley)• Build mounds

– Mississippians built clusters of earthen mounds• Cahokia (Illinois)• Left no written records

Section 3: Peoples of North America

• Diverse Regional Cultures– Iroquois League: An alliance of five nations who

spoke the same language and shared similar traditions.

Group Assignment

• Culture Pamphlet– Tri-fold– Pictures & Information– You will be graded on how it looks!!– Imagine that this pamphlet will be handed out at a

historical Native American Indian site.