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.