Americas: On Eve of Invasion

Chapter 11pgs 234-254

• Consider reading relevant info “Beyond Classical Civs” on pg. 104-105:

starting w/¶ “Yet another portion of the world…”

Aztecs

Incas

Background 800-400 BCE: Olmec

Analogous to River Valley Civs, but built on corn No writing, but religious inspired pyramids, calendars & art

400CE-800: Teotihuacan In Central Mexico, America’s 1st great city

400CE-800: Maya In Yucatan Peninsula, important city-states (like Chichén Itzá)

Postclassic Mesoamerica, Postclassic Mesoamerica, to 1500to 1500

Toltec Heritage1000 – 1150 CE

Empire in C. Mexico w/ military ethic & sacrifice Influenced Aztecs as well as Maya & groups in North

America

Aztec Rise to Power

Aztecs = militant & religiousPower drawn from military strength, connection to Toltec cultureUse marshy island to end wandering: Tenochtitlan

Aztec Social Contract

Expansion & conquest results in change

Aztecs: chosen to serve godsRitual human sacrifice grows

Religion & Ideology of ConquestPolytheistic

Worship grouped into 3 cultsGods of Fertility & Agriculture; Gods of Creation;

Gods of Sacrifice & Warfare

Most important ritual = sacrifice Human-Gods relationship

Additional complexity Spiritual unityFatalistic view of world

QUESTION SLIDE

Compare & contrast the Aztec religion with Hinduism.

Feeding the People: The Economy

Required large, stable food sourceTribute from conquered landsTraditional ag by peasants = chinampas

Social StructureClans = farming (some set aside)Exceptions: Nobility, Merchants

Heavily state-controlled

Aztec Society in Aztec Society in TransitionTransition

Widening Social Gulf

Aztecs’ original social structureCalpulli – clans organized the empire

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Widening Social Gulf

Expansion: transforms classes Clans weaken & class divisions emerge

Classes reinforced by uniforms & clothing

1. Nobility Powerful administrators & powerful military leaders

2. Small middle group Scribes, artisans, healers, merchants

3. Commoners Worked estates like serfs at will of nobles

4. Slaves

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Overcoming Tech Constraints

Women: have role but subordinateHelped in fields & reared childrenCooked & prepared food

Lack of technologyLimited social developmentPolitical-religious system based on intimidation

A Tribute Empire

Gov’t = collection of city-states

1. “Great Speaker” = ruler of Tenochtitlan Acted as emperor

2. Prime Minister = chief advisor

3. Governing Council

4. “Speaker”

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A Tribute Empire

Empire never fully integrated Tribute concentrated power, but…Local rulers given independence

Success = domination, not administration

Failure = division, fear, tribute

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Background -Geography of mtns dividing valleys made

broad civilization difficult 1200-200BCE: Chavin & Moche (religious heritage)

Analogous to River Valley Civs, but built on potatoes

550CE-1000: Huari & Tihuanaco Establish highland ag in cultural hearth of Inca

900CE-1465: Chimor (economic & artistic heritage)

Twantinsuyu: the IncasTwantinsuyu: the Incas

The Inca Rise to Power

1350 CE—clans of common language draw on traditionCenter empire around city = CuzcoPachacuti: emperor united group, began territorial

expansion“Twantinsuyu” or Inca Empire formed

Armies conquer vast & diverse areas

Conquest & ReligionReason for expansion?

Split inheritance

Central to religion = cult of the Sun

Lesser local animistic deitiesServed at temples by clans, priests, & womenOfferings & sacrifices givenCenters of festivals, rituals

Techniques of Inca Imperial Rule

Central authority, provincial bureaucracy & local autonomy

Integration of diversity based on reciprocity

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Techniques of Inca Imperial Rule

Economic considerationsCommunities aimed at self-sufficiency, supported

by state control

Class considerationsEqual & interdependent genders? Nobility & Priests vs. Yanas & Ayllus

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Inca Cultural AchievementsArtRecord keeping Infrastructure

QUESTION SLIDE

Compare and contrast the Incas and Aztecs?

How Many People?Estimates for West Hemisphere vary

Historical context

Other Peoples of the Other Peoples of the AmericasAmericas

Differing Cultural Patterns

Ecological variety = development continuumChiefdom societies

Mixed societies (agriculture & hunting)

Hunter-gatherer societies

Commonalities

QUESTION SLIDE

In what ways do the Americas challenge our definition of civilization?

World Context & Global ConnectionsGlobal Connections

Isolation from world system clearly mattered