TOLTECS, INCAS, AZTECS

TOLTECS Moved into southern Mexico from north around

time of Mayan collapse

Took over and expanded Mayan centers

Built capital city of Tula using Mayan architectural and construction techniques

Developed impressive metal-working industry Specialized in jewelry

Established trade network which stretched into northern South America

Civilization flourished for around 100 years Empire eventually fragmented into small

states, constantly fighting among themselves

AZTECS Also known as Mexicas

Originally a nomadic tribe from north Looking for “promised land” Found it in 1325 AD on island in middle of Lake

Texcoco in central Mexico

Built capital city on island Tenochtitlán

Rich mud of island home ideally suited for agriculture Produced abundant crops Standard of living increased dramatically

Were in high demand as mercenaries in wars between post-Toltec states

Rose rapidly Stepped into power vacuum and took over much of

central and coastal Mexico and northern Central America

TENOCHTITLAN Grew wealthy from

tribute from conquered territory

Turned city into magnificent place Canals served as

arteries of transportation

Aqueduct system for fresh water and sophisticated waste removal system

Huge temples and places

Brightly colored art

AZTEC RELIGION Two sets of gods

Nature gods Worshipped by

farmers Had shape of the

item the god controlled

Great gods of state Usually portrayed

as half human/half animal or as monster

Chief god was HuitzilopochtliGod of the sun

HUMAN SACRIFICE Believed that the world

had passed through four previous stages (“suns”) Each one destroyed

by catastrophe To prevent destruction

of fifth “sun”, Huitzilopochtli had to be appeased By feeding him

human hearts Aztecs therefore

sacrificed victims by ripping out their hearts and holding them up for Huitzilopochtli to symbolically eat

HOW OFTEN DID SACRIFICE TAKE PLACE Spanish claimed that

sacrifice was performed on a daily basis and that thousands were sacrificed on religious holidays Historians have used

this information to argue that it was the need to get victims that motivated Aztec conquests and their harsh legal code

Others claim Spanish exaggerated number of sacrifices to justify their conquest and destruction of Aztec civilization

AZTECS DECLINE

Spanish conquistador, Hernando Cortez, destroyed Aztec civilization in 1519Very tragic actWiped out a rich

and vigorous culture off the face of the map Enormous loss to

all civilized human beings

INCAS

South American Indian tribe

Known for their military Social structure very

strict Inca- head ruler and his

wives were supreme head of state

High priest and Army commander came next

merchants and artisans came next

Everyone else: who had no rights

RECORD KEEPING A khipu consists, minimally,

of a main cord from which pendant cords hang. (Pendants of pendants are called subsidiaries.)

Knots tied in the pendant cords and other modifications of the pendant are the commonest data-bearing or significant features.

Inka functionaries used cord records for censuses, inventories, tribute records, and documents about transactions; Spanish courts also accepted them as documents of record in early colonial times.

AGRICULTURE The comprehension of how irrigation can

benefit agriculture is evident by the expansion into the highland areas.

They developed drainage systems and canals to expand their crop resources.

Potatoes, tomatoes, cotton, peanuts and coca were among the many crops grown by the Inca.

Llama were used for meat and transportation.

There was more than enough resources available for everyone.

Cuzco- Capital city of the Inca

Macchu Picchu- The site of Machu Picchu was not discovered by

the Spanish during the Conquest. In fact, it wasn't known to the outside world until 1911 when an American Archeologist, Hiram Bingham, made the steep climb to a lofty saddle high above the Urubamba river.

The city is clearly laid out in sections. There is a "royal" section where the stone work is the finest, the rooms are largest and running baths are nearby. The bulk of the food for the inhabitants was grown on the agricultural terraces of the city.

CONQUERING OF THE INCA

Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistador arrived in Peru

Killed the Inca emperor Proceeded to ransack the city of Cuzco The 40,000 member army of the Inca was

destroyed by a 180 member Spanish conquistador army, which was commanded by Francisco Pizarro.

The warriors of the Inca were no match for the Spanish guns. By 1535, the Inca society was completely overthrown.

The Incas were probably weak due to contact with the Spanish and foreign diseases they brought from Europe