Aztecs & Inca

The Aztecs After the decline of the Mayans, the Aztecs were developing in

present-day Mexico Around 1200, Aztecs arrived in Mexico &

built their city Tenochtitlan in 1325

Aztec civilization • Located in arid valley in central Mexico • Represented by Tenochtitlan • Ruled by an emperor • Economy based on agriculture and tribute from conquered peoples • Polytheistic religion with pyramids/rituals

The Aztec began c. 12th century A.D.Began a long migration that brought them into the Valley of Mexico. They established their capital city at Tenochtitlán.

TenochtitlánAn Aztec legend said that when the people found their new home they would see an eagle perched on a cactus holding a snake. They saw this in lake Texcoco.

Their city was built up on rafts made from reeds and covered with dirt. They were called chinampas. Present-Day Mexico-City is built on top of this city. The original was destroyed by the Spanish.

Lake Texcoco-Swampy lake that was the home of the capital city. Tenochtitlán means the Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus.

Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan

The AztecsGovernment: The Aztecs formed a massive empire, controlled it through 38 provinces, & received tribute from conquered peoples

Economy: They survived on tribute & farming; They built “floating

gardens” (chinampas)

Society: (1) Kings (2) Nobility

(3) Commoners(4) Slaves

Religion: Aztecs worshipped many gods, especially the sun

god & made thousands of human sacrifices each year

Political and Social StructureBy 1500 there were about 4 million people in the Aztec Empire. Aztec EmperorRuled over the Aztec Empire. Was the supreme leader of the people.He claimed that he was divine.

PeopleMade up of commoners, indentured workers, and slaves. Most people were farmers, but they also traded with people in the surrounding areas.

Men were to be the warriors, while a woman’s role was to be in the home. Women were allowed to own and inherit property and enter contracts. Women wove textiles and raised children. They could also be priestesses.

ReligionHad a polytheistic religion based on warfare.

HuitzilopochtliTheir chief god. He was the god of the sun. The Aztec offered him human sacrifice to give him strength to battle the forces of darkness each night so that he could rise each morning.

QuetzalcoatlThe feathered SerpentHe believed he had left the valley of Mexico and promised to return in triumph.

Human SacrificeEach Aztec city contained a pyramid where they practiced human sacrifice as a way to postpone the end of the world.

Technology: Like the Mayans, the Aztecs developed an accurate calendar & built advanced temples

The Aztecs

Around 1500 A.D., the Aztecs began to decline; A century of brutal rule over the provinces &

millions of human sacrifices led to revolts

But, the true demise of the Aztecs came when the

Spanish discovered America & conquered the Aztecs

The Incas While the Aztecs ruled Mexico, the Incas began to dominate

the area of the Andes Mountains of South America

Many Incan cities like Machu Picchu & Cuzcu were built in the mountains

The Incas• ?

Government: Like the Aztecs, the Incas built a vast empire which

included 80 provincesBut, the Incas ruled

with tolerance & unified their empire

with roads, schools, & a common language

Economy: The Incan gov’t controlled the

economy & required all citizens to farm for the

good of the empire

Society: (1) King(2) Nobility

(3) Ayllu (commoners)

Religion: The Inca were polytheistic &

offered llamas & food (but not

humans) to the gods

Technology: Inca innovations included quipu, a means of record keeping involving knotted ropes as well as an extensive system of roads & suspension bridges

CultureWere required to marry from within their own social

group.Women were expected to live at home, the only

alternative was to be a priestess. Most people were farmers, they also herded llamas

and alpacas.

Quipu-A system of knotted strings used by the Inca to keep records.

Great BuildersThey had great buildings made of stone held without mortar. Their roads also show their ability as great builders.

Machu PicchuCity built at 8,000 ft above sea level.

Urubamba RiverRiver below Machu Picchu

The Incas• ?

In the 1520s, a civil war divided & weakened the Incan Empire; Ten years

later Spanish conquistadors

conquered the empire

DefeatThe Spanish arrived in 1531

1531: Francisco PizarroSpanish Conquistador led a band of 180 men with superior weapons. The Inca, like the Aztec, were devastated by disease.

SmallpoxDevastated the Population

Civil WarAfter the death of the Inca Emperor a civil war broke out, Pizarro took advantage and defeated the people.

DefeatPizarro and his men established Lima as the new capital of the Spanish Colony in 1535.

Achievements of Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations

• Calendars

• Mathematics

• Writing and other record-keeping systems

Closure Activity: Which American Society?• Can you distinguish among the early

societies of America?•Examine the descriptions in your notes•Complete the chart below C&C!

AZTEC INCA