Early Civilizations in Meso-America

Ch. 11 Sec. 2

Essential Questions: TEKS WH6.A-B, WH27.B-C

What are the political, social, economic & cultural characteristics of the Mayas, Incas & Aztecs?What impact did the Mayas, Incas & Aztecs have politically, culturally, socially, and economically?What contributions did each have make towards Astronomy, Math & Architectural engineering?

I. The Maya

300-900ad in C. America & S. MexicoBuilt temples, pyramids & complex calendarPolitical & Social structure

City states governed by hereditary ruling class “descended from God”Always at war w/each other; captured became slaves or human sacrifice.video

I. The Maya cont’d

Society: Townspeople (Artisans, officials, merchants), peasant farmers

Men: fighting hunting

Women: homemaking, raising children.

• Religion:-Mayan believed life was in the hands of a divine power. Human sacrifice was natural.

I. The Maya cont’d

Writings and Calendars:Writing system based on hieroglyphics

Spanish conquerors saw this as evil & destroyed almost all books.

Mayan calendar was a complex system of living several worlds.

Spanish destruction of Mayan culture helped end the civilization.

Aztec Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4JabdIKx8s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_wAHvHIntM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f332HpnpgkI&feature=related

II. Aztecs

1100-1500s ad

Est. Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco

The Legend

1325 under attack by another people and driven into a swamp they believe that the legend comes true.

They est. here constructing temples, roadways, houses.

II. Aztecs cont’d

semi-independent territories supported by the Aztec ruler in return for tribute.

Political & Social Structures:

-4 million Aztecs

-Power in the monarch by God assisted by lords & gov’t officials

-Society: Commoners (farmers), Indentured workers (landless labor contracted for work), Slaves (captured in war)

II. Aztecs cont’d

Males @ young age were told to be warriors.

Females @ young age were told to stay at home

They were NOT EQUALS but women could own & inherit property and enter into contracts.

II. Aztecs cont’d

Religion & Culture:

-believed in many gods and the unending struggle between forces of good and evil.

-The creation and destruction of 4 worlds and the birth of the 5th

-Human sacrifice was a form of appeasement.

II. Aztecs cont’d

Destruction of Aztecs:

European Invasion

Local Alliances

Disease