The AmericasAztecs and Incas

(Chapter 11)

Religion

Economic

Cultural

Interactions

Political

Social Class and Gender

Aztecs vs. IncasAztecs IncasGovernment not as well

organized as Incan government

Less centralized than Incas

Lake/land rulersMaize was main cropExpansionists and highly

militaristic Trade and markets far

more developed than in Incan society

Very well organized compared to AztecsSet up bureaucratic

zones of controlCentralized more than

AztecsMountain-valley rulersMain crop were potatoesTrade and markets not

as well developed at those in Aztec society

Aztec and Incas- Map

Social Class and GenderMale dominated society; Priests very

important in societyWarriors were prized (Mainly Aztec Society)Slaves generally low on “totem pole”Merchant class did not existLacked nomadic herders unlike Europe, Asia,

and Africa

Social Class and Gender (Continued)

Some small, mobile kin-based groups of hunter-gatherers existed in Americas From Tierra Del Fuego to Canadian forests

Recognized local ethnic groups/political leaders Allowed variation, but must remain loyal and

pay tributeSocial organization often remained without

strong divisions

PoliticalTheocracy- Ruled by religionCulture represented success of military and

imperial organizationState organization was an image of societyNobles= Personnel of StateTried to create overarching political state and

integrate empire as a wholeEvident in Incas more than Aztecs

Incas had split inheritanceAll titles and political power went to successorWealth and land remained with male descendants

InteractionsAdapted well to varying environments

Ex. Aztecs built chinampas (“floating islands” and used for Aztec irrigation agriculture; Incas built dikes, dams, aqueducts, and terraced farming

Military power against nomadic peoples less effective

Civilization started from conquest of sedentary agriculture peopleThese people paid tribute and provided labor

CulturalToltec culture lay foundation and provides

establishmentStrongly militaristic and human sacrifices Aztecs rely on Toltecs mostOlmec and Mayan cultures also lay foundation

Have gods/goddesses; SacrificesAyllu and Calpulli transformed by social

hierarchy Were older kin-based institutions; Aztec clans

Economic Population of Americas estimated at 67,300

*See chart on following slide*Were conquerorsAgriculture widely spread by 1500

Combined with hunting and fishingOrganized by state, which accumulated

surplus, distributed to groups/social classesAztecs: Maize; Incas: PotatoesSlash and burn farming led to movement of

villages when production declined

Population- The AmericasPopulation Estimate for the Western Hemisphere

Area Population (thousands)North America 4,400

Mexico 21,400

Central America 5,650

Caribbean 5,850

Andes 11,500

Lowland South America 18,500

Total 67,300

ReligionMainly Animistic

Sees gods in many aspects of nature and wins favor of them to help and control nature

Have several gods, such as Gods of: rain, fire, water, corn, sky, and sun

Yearly festivals to honor these godsHeld the Sun God to be most important

Key Terms to KnowTenochtitlan- capital city of Aztec empireMontezuma I- became leader of Aztec

empire once it was establishedMontezuma II- last independent Aztec

emperor; killed during Hernán Cortés’s conquest of Tenochtitlan