Americas 600-1300

Aztec Poem Describing the God of Darkness

He Mocks us

As he wishes, so he wills;

He places us in the palm of his hand

He rolls us about;

Like pebbles we roll, we spin…

We make him laugh,

He Mocks us

Mexica

• 1168- Group of people moved from Aztlan believed to be somewhere in southern California to Central Mexico

• Problem with Toltec in Teotihuacan

• Story of Mexican Flag-• Forced to live in snake

infested swamp Tenochtitlan island in middle of Lake Texcoco

Post Classical Maya

• Putun Maya- start to move and trade in Yucatan trade increases throughout the empire

• Increase of Temple building

South America

• Group of warrior societies begin to develop near Lake Titicaca

• Vast area of Mountains (Andes) Valleys (Pampas) Coastal areas develop into distinct cultures and groups

Central America

• Small tribal groups throughout subtropics

• Kuna- “The people”

Summary Questions

1) The name the Aztecs had for themselves?2) Where are the Aztecs thought to come from?3) Who did the Aztecs defeat in central Mexico?4) What is the meaning of the Mexican Flag?5) Around which water feature did the first south

American people develop war societies?6) What is the largest mountain range in the

Americas?7) What are the large grass valleys in South

America called?