Table of Contents: Mesoamerican

CivilizationsAim: What were the

accomplishments of the Mesoamerican Native

Americans.

Olmec 1300 B.C.- The first civilization of MesoamericaThey had large cities that were centers for religious rituals.They carved colossal stone heads. They may have been to represent their ancestors or gods.

Mayan civilization• Located in the rain forests on the Yucatan Peninsula and Part of Guatemala• Ruled between 300 and 900 A.D. •Polytheistic Religion, used pyramids to pray to their gods, built canals to control water•Group of size states ruled by a King•We do not know why or how their empire fell.• Economy based on agriculture and trade•Developed the 365 day calendar.

Tikal, Guatemala

Mayan People (DON’T COPY)Skilled artisans, officials, and merchants.Many people were peasant farmers who worked on terraced hillsides farming. Men did the fighting and hunting, women made cornmeal and were responsible for homemaking and raising children.

Human sacrifice was also used to mark special occasions.

When a king ascended to the throne war captives were tortured and beheaded to mark

the occasion.

Aztec civilization

• Located in arid valley in central Mexico • Ruled by an emperor • Economy based on agriculture and tribute from conquered peoples • Polytheistic religion with pyramids/rituals based on warfare.•The Aztec began in 12 century A.D. servants, and slaves that made up 4 million people. •Aztec forced many other tribes to join them by violence, so when the Spanish and Cortes arrived it was easy to find allies.

Destruction of the Aztec

Hernán Cortés 1519Spanish Conquistador who came to the valley of Mexico in 1519 with 550 soldiers and 16 horses. He was at first greeted by the Aztec Emperor Montezuma (Moctezuma). The Spanish later kidnapped the Emperor and made him a puppet. The people rebelled and the Emperor was killed. The Spanish barely escaped.

The Spanish returned several months later. Many of the natives had fallen ill with Smallpox. Cortés and his allies destroyed the Aztec capital and subjugated the Aztec people.

Incan civilization• Located in the Andes Mountains of South America• Ruled by an emperor•Late 1300s – to 1530s.• Economy based on high-altitude agriculture• Polytheistic religion• Incas were famous for making their road and bridge system to communicate with each other. (24,800 Miles of Road)•Destroyed by smallpox, and Pizarro.

Organization of the EmpireIncan state was built on war. The conquered peoples were all taught the same language. Each region was appointed a governor who answered to the Emperor.

There were rest houses and storage depots along with bridges to span ravines and waterways.

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

Achievements of Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations

• Calendars

• Mathematics

• Writing and other record-keeping systems