Americas on Eve of InvasionChapter 11

DIRECTIONS:

• THOROUGHLY READ Chapter 11, pgs 234-254

• Print the PwrPt outline (select “handouts”, 3 slides per pg)

• Take notes AND answer the questions within the outline

Aztecs

Incas

Historicize Serve as “RVCs”, but built on cornOlmec (800-400 BCE)

No writing, but impressive calendars & art Religious inspired: pyramids, statues

succeeded in 400 CE – 800 CE by:

Postclassic Mesoamerica, 1000-1500

MayaIn Yucatan PeninsulaImportant city-state = Chichén Itzá

TeotihuacanIn Central MexicoAmericas’ 1st great city

Toltec Heritage1000 – 1150 CE

Empire in C. Mexico w/ military ethic & sacrifice Legend of Topiltzin & Quetzalcoatl Influence Anasazi & Hopewell groups

The Aztec Rise to PowerAztecs = militant & religious

Power drawn from military strength, connection to Toltec culture

Use marshy island to end wandering: Tenochtitlan

The Aztec Social ContractExpansion & conquest

results in change

Aztecs: chosen to serve gods Ritual human sacrifice grows

Religion & Ideology of ConquestPolytheistic: world of gods

connected to natural world Many deities, each w/ different manifestations

Worship grouped into 3 cults Gods of Fertility & Agriculture

example: Tlatoc

Gods of Creation

Gods of Sacrifice & Warfare example: Huitzilopochtli

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Religion & Ideology of ConquestMost important ritual = sacrifice

Human-Gods relationship Expansion of Toltec traditions under Aztec

Additional complexity: Spiritual unity Addressed life’s central questions Fatalistic view of world

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QUESTION SLIDE

Answer the following question in your note taking space:

Compare & contrast the Aztec religion with Hinduism.

Feeding the People: The EconomyLarge population required large,

stable food source Tribute from conquered lands Traditional ag by peasants = chinampas

Social Structure Clans = farming (some set aside) Exceptions: Nobility, Pochteca

Heavily state-controlled

Aztec Society in Transition

Widening Social GulfAztecs’ original social structure

Calpulli – clans organized the empire

All people belonged to one, but…

Ranked based on leadership, marriage, military achievements

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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, pochteca

3. Commoners Worked estates like serfs at will of nobles Class reinforced by clothing

4. Slaves

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Overcoming Tech ConstraintsWomen: complementary role but

subordinate Helped in fields & reared children Cooked & prepared food

Lack of technology Limited social development Political-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 EmpireEmpire never fully integrated

Tribute concentrated power, but… Local rulers given independence

Success = domination, not administration

Failure = division, fear, tribute

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HistoricizeGeography of mtns dividing valleys

makes broad civilization difficult However, several small states of interdependent

regions: coasts, highlands, valleys Serve as “RVCs”, but built on potatoes

Chavin & Moche (1200-200 BCE): religious & architectural heritage

Huari & Tihuanaco (550-1000 CE): establish highland terrace ag in cultural hearth of Inca

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

Twantinsuyu: World of the Incas

The Inca Rise to Power1350 CE—clans of common

language draw on tradition Center empire around city = Cuzco Pachacuti: emperor united group, began

territorial expansion “Twantinsuyu” or “Inca Empire” formed

Armies conquer areas from Ecuador to Chile Controlled 3000 miles, 9-13 million people of

different ethnicities & languages

Conquest & ReligionReason for expansion?

Split inheritance

Central to religion = cult of the Sun Temple of the Sun

Lesser local animistic deities Served at temples by clans, priests, & women Offerings & sacrifices given Centers of festivals, rituals

Techniques of Inca Imperial RuleCentral authority, provincial

bureaucracy & local autonomy

Integration of diversity based on reciprocity

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Techniques of Inca Imperial RuleEconomic considerations

Communities aimed at self-sufficiency, supported by state control

Class considerations Equal & interdependent genders? Nobility & Priests vs. Yanas & Ayllus

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Inca Cultural AchievementsArtRecord keeping Infrastructure

QUESTION SLIDE

Answer the following question in your note taking space:

Compare and contrast the Incas and Aztecs?

How Many People?Estimates for Western

Hemisphere vary

Historical context

Other Peoples of the Americas

Differing Cultural PatternsEcological variety =

development continuum Chiefdom societies

Mixed societies (agriculture & hunting)

Hunter-gatherer societies

Commonalities

QUESTION SLIDE

Answer the following question in your note taking space:

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

World Context & Global Connections

Isolation from world system clearly mattered