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Civilizations in the Americas. These societies share a lot in common and are largely building on the traditions of previous inhabitants. Mesoamerica. Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Similar culture, religion, social structure throughout partially due to influence of ancient Olmecs. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Civilizations in the Americas
These societies share a lot in common and are largely building
on the traditions of previous inhabitants.
Mesoamerica
• Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
• Similar culture, religion, social structure throughout partially due to influence of ancient Olmecs
Areas of the Aztec and Mayan Empires (cultural diffusion?)
Toltecs
• Central Mexico (influenced by Teotihuacan)
• Based on military power and conquest• Practiced human sacrifice
Toltec heritage: cultural diffusion, commercial influence on the American SW and possibly the Mississippi and Ohio River
valleys
Hopewell Mounds, Ohio
(What’s happening in Colorado at this time?)
Aztec
• Toltecs were replaced by the Aztec (Mexica), who took advantage of the Toltec’s decline
• They used their fighting skills to take control of the Lake Texcoco region
• Adopted political and social organization of Toltec
http://www.history.com/videos/mexico-god-gold-and-glory-the-rise-of-the-aztecs#mexico-god-gold-and-glory-the-rise-of-the-aztecs
Aztec calendar
• Fatalistic view of history-the world had been destroyed before and would be destroyed again (triggered by gods’ anger when human sacrifices were no longer sufficient)
Map of Tenochtitlan-possible drawn by Cortez
• Expanded the ritual of human sacrifice to unprecedented levels
Aztecs were also characterized by
• Militant warrior tradition• Priestly class to oversee rituals,
including human sacrifice• Ritualistic, polytheistic religion• Large urban capital
• Chinampa system led to increase in agriculture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgl5NBTXZzc (9:30+)
• The agricultural economy was centered around feeding the people
• Conquered people lost their land and had to pay the Aztecs tribute (taxes) with food, luxury goods and slaves
• A decentralized network of city-states paid tribute
• Defeated in 1521 by the Spanish
Aztec marketplace
Social classes
• Aztec society became more and more hierarchical.
Social classes:noblespriesthoodmilitaryscribesartisanshealersworkerscommoners
• Great divide developed between rich and poor
• Elite had special food and dress; elite men were polygamous
Aztec hairstyles
Ruins of Tenochtitlan
Moche
• Established in coastal Peru ~600 C.E.• Built canals and aqueducts• Created elaborate textiles using
llama/alpaca wool• Priests and warriors ranked highest; wore
fancy headdresses and gold jewelry• Declined with natural disasters; influenced
Inca
Moche
Incan Empire
• 1350-1540 C.E.
• South American Andes Mountain region: difficult environment for civilization, required special adjustments
• They conquered a large area of land and absorbed many tribes in central and western South America
• Domesticated largest available animals (llama, alpaca)
Location of Incan civilization
Machu Picchu
• In 90 years the empire grew into a stretch of land that covered over 3,000 miles from north to south
• They had a centralized empire with its capital in Cuzco (present day Peru)
• Extensive, irrigated agricultural economy that adapted to the rugged terrain of the Andes
• No writing; record-keeping using quipa, or knotted, colored strings
• Used collective, rotational labor system called mit’a for public works (roads, buildings, irrigation, etc) – each clan (allyu) contributed 1/7 of its men for these projects
quipu
Inca FortInca Road
Inca BridgeInca road system
• Large urban centers
• Polytheistic religion centered around worship of the sun
• Patriarchal society with few rights for women
• Privileged class of nobles, headed by the emperor
• Royal ancestors were revered and worshiped
• Impressive achievements in building with cut stone
Temple of the Sun
• Dress helped establish nobility and privilege
• State ran the economy so there was no merchant class
Conclusion
Aztecs and Incas built on many earlier traditions in these regions – e.g. agricultural systems, religion – while adapting and/or expanding on them
What’s the “glue” of these societies?
• Their religion: the ceremonies, military conquests, etc. were all shaped by their religion
• The leaders of these societies are both civil and religious leaders, so they held tremendous power.