What is the significance of the Paleolithic era in world history? Hunters and Gathers.
Civilizations of the Americas Global 9. Geographic setting Paleolithic (stone age) hunters migrated...
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Transcript of Civilizations of the Americas Global 9. Geographic setting Paleolithic (stone age) hunters migrated...
Civilizations of the
AmericasGlobal 9
Geographic setting• Paleolithic (stone age) hunters migrated to
North America from Asia
Ice Age• Water froze into thick ice sheets• Land bridge between Siberia and Alaska • Ocean levels dropped
• Hunters followed herds of bison and mammoth into North America
• Hunter- gatherers in North America migrated eastward and southward
Neolithic farmers• In Mexico raised: corn beanssweet potatoesPeppers tomatoessquash
Agricultural revolution• In Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas people
learned how to domesticate animals and cultivate crops.
• This Agricultural Revolution had a major impact on the population.
• Cities developed in Mesoamerica (Middle America)- Mexico and central America
Olmecs
• 1400 B.C. – 500 B.C.• The first major civilization in the Americas• Emerged in tropical rainforests along gulf coast of Mexico
Olmec achievements• Ceremonial centers with pyramid shaped
temples • Calendar• System of writing with carved inscriptions• Devotion to religion- especially honored class
of priests
Mayas• 300-900 A.D.• Influenced by Olmecs• Complex agricultural society• Established large city states in southern Mexico and throughout Central America
Trade• Mayans accumulated wealth from a profitable trade system.• Crops- corn, beans, squash• Trade- honey cocoa, feathers
priests• Religion played a significant part in Mayan life.• Priests held high social status• Only priests could conduct rituals to ensure good harvests and victories in battle
Mayan Social Structure • 1. Each city state had its own ruling chief
• 2. Nobles- served as city official and military leaders
• 3. farmers
Mayan Contributions• Architecture- giant pyramid temples, large palaces with elaborate paintings and carvings• Agriculture- large amounts of food grown by clearing rainforest and building raised fields which could hold and drain rain water• Learning and science- hieroglyphic writing, books, calendar, number system with zero
The Aztecs• Late 1200s• Nomadic group migrated from north into Valley of MexicoConquests and alliances built a huge empire• Capital at Tenochtitlan (present Mexico City)• Fierce warriors
Tenochtitlan• Well planed city• Wide roads• Massive temples• Large apartment buildings
Social Structure• Emperor- ruler• Nobles/ Priests- government officials, judges• Warriors- fought battles• Traders- brought exotic goods to empire, scouted
new lands• Farmers- grew food• Slaves- criminals, enemy soldiers
Religion• Priests lead rituals to appease the gods• Chief god- Huitzilopochtli (sun god)• Battled forces of darkness each night and was reborn
each morning• Human sacrifice (prisoners of war, or nobles who
volunteered)offered to give the sun god the strength to rise each day
Aztec Contributions
• Agriculture- • used fertilizers to convert swamp land• chinampas- artificial islands anchored to
shallow bed of lake Texcoco, used to grow corn, beans, squash
• Could support a vast empire with all the food grown
The Incas
• 1400s• Andes Mountains and over 2500 miles down
the Pacific coast• The empire was made up of many separate
conquered people
Government• Emperor had absolute power and owned all people, land, herds, mines• Strong military leaders who led army through successful conquests became emperors• Chief religious leader, and claimed divine status and son of the sun god • strict control of people – same language and religion
Roads• Emperor could enforce strict control because
of a remarkable road system• Runners carry news form far-off provinces to
capital• Army could quickly crush rebellions in far off
corners of the empire
Contributions• Architecture and engineering- road system was a
major achievement, over 12,000 miles of roads, bridges, and tunnels build
• Capital city Cuzco- temple of sun• Agriculture- terraced gardens on mountain sides• Communication- quipus, knotted colorful strings
used to keep records • Science- advanced surgery on head wounds,
knowledge of diseases and medicines