SSWH8: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of
societies in Central and South America.
a) Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec and Inca empires.
b)Compare the culture of the Americas including government, economy, religion and the arts of the Mayans, Aztecs and
Incas.
STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA & NORTH AMERICA
(PRE-COLUMBIAN ERA)
1) Tlacopan, Mexico. In 1431, the Aztecs forged an alliance with
this northern kingdom and Texcoco to the east. The Triple Alliance defeated the eastern
kingdoms of Tlaxcala and Huejotzingo, making the Aztecs the dominant rulers of central
Mexico.
STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA
2) Texcoco, Mexico. This junior member of the Triple Alliance of 1431, with the Aztecs and Tlacopan to the west, benefited from Aztec dominance in the region. But it was also one of the first kingdoms to feel the wrath of Cortez
and his anti-Aztec allies, as the Spanish conquistador made his scorched-earth march toward Tenochtitlan in 1520.
STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA
3) Tenochtitlan, Mexico. The Aztecs founded their capital city on an island in Lake Texacoco after seeing an eagle
perched on a cactus. Today, the Venice-like city of canals, grand plazas, and temples is hidden by the modern
construction of Mexico City, one of the world's largest settlements.
STATES AND EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA
Southwest United States
Descendants of the Anasazi and Hohokam lived in small groups in the Southwest:
1) Zuni 2) Hopi 3) Pueblo
These groups heavily dependent on corn.
When men married, they joined the household of the bride’s mother.
Work
Men hunted, farmed, herded sheep, performed ceremonies and made moccasins.
Women: take care of the house, crafted pottery and baskets, hauled water, helped men farm and
construct houses.
Kachina: Good Spirit that when boys turned 6 they joined the kachina cult.
The Navajo and the Apache will migrate to this region from Northwest North America.
PEOPLE & SOCIETIES OF THE NORTH
The Conquest of Mexico:
Military expeditions led by conquistadores led to the creation of
New Spain on the mainland of North and
South America. Hernan Cortes vs
Montezuma II (Aztecs) 1519 to 1522.
Mexico City, was built on the site of the Aztec
capital Tenochtitlan, served as New Spain’s principal headquarters.
South America:Spanish army captain
Francisco Pizarro explores the west coast of South America and in 1526 he lands in Peru
and encounters the Inca Empire.
In 1532, the Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, was
taken prisoner and eventually murdered after converting to
Christianity. Pizarro ruled over the Inca
Empire, creating Lima, Peru as the capital.
INCA/PIZARRO
Horses
Gunpowder weapons
Divide &Conquer Tactics
Smallpox & Measles
REASONS FOR SPANISH SUCCESS:
GROUP CHARACTERISTICS
built sites with pyramids, mounds, and ball courts created basalt sculptures used slash-and-burn agriculture techniques
used a refined calendar possessed a number system complex writing and glyphs used
created a trading society that conquered area Indians had strict class system
created society based on conquest and expansionbuilt complex cities and roads
Olmec
Mayan
Aztec
Inca
Montezuma IAn Aztec High Priest
An Eagle WarriorA peasant woman A Jaguar Warrior
An Aztec boyAn Aztec girl
A Tlacopan WarriorYou may use the following website:
AZTEC (MEXICA) RESEARCHFOR HOMEWORK RESEARCH THE FOLLOWING:
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