meso and south america political, economic, cultural, and social aspects
TRANSCRIPT
Meso and South America
Political, Economic, Cultural, and Social Aspects
Inquiry Questions
• How were the Inca and Aztecs “theatre states” and how did they manifest?
• What technological and scientific innovations did Mesoamerican culture produce ?
• How did Mesoamerican and Andean societies reflect social stratification?
• How did Mesoamericans express their interest in science?
• What was the impact of trade networks on Meso and Andean America?
Mesoamerica – quick history to Aztecs
• Mayan Culture – 200 CE – 1500 CE (or present?)
• Maya not a political entity – City States like ancient Greece – are a “Cultural Region”
• Kingdoms/City-states fought each other for dominance with largest dominating neighbors
• Developed agricultural techniques in use later: drained swamps, built elevated or terraced fields, irrigation systems, and managed forest resources
Mayan Culture (cont)
• Impressive monumental architecture from largest city states
• City of Teotihuacan– Population 150 – 200 K at height – Dominated by pyramidal structures– Urbanization through forced resettlement– Agricultural innovations: Chinampas (floating
gardens)– Social stratification: commoners lived in Apartments
of stone, elite had private homes
Mayan scribe
Maya culture ballgame
Teotihuacan
• Ruled by alliance of wealthy families (Oligarchy)
• Military used to protect and expand long-distance trade
• Collapsed around 650 CE– Mismanagement of resources?– Conflict within elite?– Invasion?
MOON TEMPLE -- TEOTIHUACAN
Teotihuacan – Avenue Of The Dead
Mayan Culture (cont)
• Most Mayan city-states abandoned by 800-900 CE.
The Toltec
• Based on civilization of Teotihuacan (survivors?)
• Innovative in war
• Capital at Tula– Dual Kingship – may have undermined the
state around 1000 CE– Destroyed by invaders around 1168 CE
The Aztec
• Originally northern, clan-based• Migration to area around Lake Texcoco• 1325 – established major cities of
Tenochtitlan and Tlateloco• Political form of state: Monarchy
– King increased wealth & power through conquest
– Commoners lost influence– Inequities in wealth worsened
The Aztec -- Politics
• “Theater State”– Power maintained through massive public
rituals– Trade focused on status items– Large number of gods – most important was
sun god– Gods required sacrifice of human hearts –
thousands per year
Aztec Warriors
Aztec warrior-knights
The Aztec Economy
• Grain & other food tribute met 25% of capital’s needs
• Merchants distinct from and subordinate to elite
• Elite controlled long-distance trade
• No wheeled vehicles, draft animals, or currency (human porters)
Chinampas
The Aztec
• Economy: Increased agricultural production through land reclamation:– Chinampas (floating gardens)– Irrigation
Tenochtitlan ruins (Mexico City)
Tenochtitlan – ruins (Mexico City)
Aztec Altar
Aztec -- Culture
• Large number of Gods– most important was Sun God Huitzilopochtli
• Gods required died of human hearts supplied through sacrifice
• Thousands sacrificed per year – most war captives
• Emperor had special blood rituals
Maize Goddess
Aztec blood-letting ceremony
Aztec ornamental skull
Aztec priest with blood bowl
Aztec sacrificial knives
Aztec wall of Skulls
Andean Civilizations
Geography
• Andes mountains – very challenging territory
• Formed thousands of miles of trail to link up three “zones”– Mountains– Jungle– Seaside
Political form of state
• Originally clan-based– “Allyu” – clan-based “payment” of surplus
grain.– M’ita – tributary labor system
Social Structure
• Gender roles clear, but all expected to work, participate in economy
Predecessors -- Moche
• No formal political structure
• Cultivation of staple crops: maize, quinoa, beans, manioc, potatoes
• Use of Alpacas for wool
• Highly stratified and theocratic society– Wealthy lived on platforms above the
commoners
Moche ceramic portrait vase
Moche (cont)
• Metallurgists (specialists)
• Fall of Moche culture – 30 years of drought
• Invasions
• Leaders lost authority –“blessing” of god
The Inca -- Economy
• Used military to set up Tributary relationship with surrounding peoples
• Mit’a labor system (1/7 of each man’s product to social support system)
Inca Quipus
The Inca -- Politics
• Kept local leaders in place– Sons kept captive at capital of Cuzco– Sacred idols kept at Cuzco
Significant Imperial Bureaucracy
Royal family as descendent from Sun God
“Theater State” (like Aztecs): rituals and symbols to maintain power & social stratification
Incan roads in Andes
The Inca -- Cultural
• Amazing architecture – masonry without mortar
• Puma-shaped city
• Achievements in Astronomy and metallurgy
Incan Tunic
The Inca (c. 1400 CE)
• Capital at Cuzco
• Overall population of 6 million
• Vast Geographic territory
• Used military to conquer distant territories of varying environments
Inca – Machu Picchyu
Inca- Macchu Pichu
Macchu Pichu Detail
Inquiry Questions
• How were the Inca and Aztecs “theatre states” and how did they manifest?
• What technological and scientific innovations did Mesoamerican culture produce ?
• How did Mesoamerican and Andean societies reflect social stratification?
• How did Mesoamericans express their interest in science?
• What was the impact of trade networks on Meso and Andean America?