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DBQ 8: CIVILIZATIONS OF THE AMERICASHistorical Context

Between 300 and L500, three advanced civilizations developed in Central and SouthAmerica. The Mayas flourished from 250 to 900. Mayan ruins remain even today inCenkal America. The Aztecs conquered most of Mexico. They built a highly developedcivilization in the 1400s. At the same time, the Incas were building an empire in Peru.

I Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying documents inPart A. As you analyze the documents, take into account both thesource of each document and the author's point of view. Be sure todo each of the following steps:

Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what youalready know about this topic. How would you answer thequestion if you had no documents to examine?Read each document carefully, underlining key phrases andwords that address the document-based question. You may alsowish to use the margin to make brief notes. Answer the questionsthat follow each document before moving on to the nextdocument.Based on your own knowledge and on the information found inthe documents, formulate a thesis that directly answers thedocument-based q uestion.

Organize supportive and relevant information into a brief outline.

Write a well-organized essay proving your thesis. You shouldpresent your essay logically. lnclude information both from thedocuments and frorrl your own knowledge beyond thedocuments.

The following documents deal with the former civilizations of Central andSouth America. Examine each document carefully. ln the space provided,answer the questions that follow each document.

1.

2.

4.5.

3.

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DateName

DBQ 8: CIVILTZATIONS OF THE AMERICASDocument L

This Mayan pyramid temple in Tikal was the tallest structure in the Americas untilthe twentieth century.

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Describe the significance of Mayan architecture evidenced in this temple at Tikal.

an calendar.the May

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Document 2This is a glyph (symbol) from

\Atrhat is the significance of this gI

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DBQ 8: CIVILIZNTIONS OF THE AMERICASDocument 3

When he arrived in1519, the Spanish conqueror Herndn Cort6s was awed by themagnificent Aztec capital of Tenochtitl6n. He wrote a letter to King Charles of Spaindescribing the city.

The city has many squares where markets are held and trading is carried on.There is one square . . . where there are daily more than 60,000 souls, buyingand selling, and where are found all the kinds of merchandise produced inthese countries, including food products, jewels of gold and silve{, Iead,brass, copper, zinc, bones, shells, and feathers.

Why was Cort6s impressed when he arrived in Tenochtitl6n in 1519?

Document 4This description of farming in the Incan empire in 1539 was written by Garcilasco de

la Vega. He was the son of an Incan princess and a Spanish explorer.

As soon as the Incan ruler had conquered any kingdom and set up hisgovelnment, he ordered that the farmland used to grow corn be extended.For this purpose, he ordered irrigation channels to be constructed. Theengineers showed great cleverness and skill in supplying water for the crops/since only scattered sections of the land could grow corn. For this reason/they endeavored to increase its fertility as much as possible.

I4/hat engineering technique did de la Vega describe?

\tVhy was this a significant achievement?

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DBQ 8: CIVILIZNTIONS OF THE AMERICASDocument 5

This map shows the Incan empire in L565.

How did the Incan government unite its empire in the Andes Mountains?

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DBQ 8: CIVILIZNTIONS OF THE AMERICASWhat is the significance of this accomplishment?

Document 6

This photograph of the ruins of Machu Picchu provides evidence of the superiorbuilding design and farming techniques of the Incas in Peru.

\A/hat specific farming and building techniques did the Incas use?

How advanced were the Mayan, Aztec, and lncan civilizations? What weretheir major accomplishments?

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