Meso and South America

Political, Economic, Cultural, and Social Aspects

Inquiry Questions

• How were the Inca and Aztecs “theatre states” and how did they manifest?

• What technological and scientific innovations did Mesoamerican culture produce ?

• How did Mesoamerican and Andean societies reflect social stratification?

• How did Mesoamericans express their interest in science?

• What was the impact of trade networks on Meso and Andean America?

Mesoamerica – quick history to Aztecs

• Mayan Culture – 200 CE – 1500 CE (or present?)

• Maya not a political entity – City States like ancient Greece – are a “Cultural Region”

• Kingdoms/City-states fought each other for dominance with largest dominating neighbors

• Developed agricultural techniques in use later: drained swamps, built elevated or terraced fields, irrigation systems, and managed forest resources

Mayan Culture (cont)

• Impressive monumental architecture from largest city states

• City of Teotihuacan– Population 150 – 200 K at height – Dominated by pyramidal structures– Urbanization through forced resettlement– Agricultural innovations: Chinampas (floating

gardens)– Social stratification: commoners lived in Apartments

of stone, elite had private homes

Mayan scribe

Maya culture ballgame

Teotihuacan

• Ruled by alliance of wealthy families (Oligarchy)

• Military used to protect and expand long-distance trade

• Collapsed around 650 CE– Mismanagement of resources?– Conflict within elite?– Invasion?

MOON TEMPLE -- TEOTIHUACAN

Teotihuacan – Avenue Of The Dead

Mayan Culture (cont)

• Most Mayan city-states abandoned by 800-900 CE.

The Toltec

• Based on civilization of Teotihuacan (survivors?)

• Innovative in war

• Capital at Tula– Dual Kingship – may have undermined the

state around 1000 CE– Destroyed by invaders around 1168 CE

The Aztec

• Originally northern, clan-based• Migration to area around Lake Texcoco• 1325 – established major cities of

Tenochtitlan and Tlateloco• Political form of state: Monarchy

– King increased wealth & power through conquest

– Commoners lost influence– Inequities in wealth worsened

The Aztec -- Politics

• “Theater State”– Power maintained through massive public

rituals– Trade focused on status items– Large number of gods – most important was

sun god– Gods required sacrifice of human hearts –

thousands per year

Aztec Warriors

Aztec warrior-knights

The Aztec Economy

• Grain & other food tribute met 25% of capital’s needs

• Merchants distinct from and subordinate to elite

• Elite controlled long-distance trade

• No wheeled vehicles, draft animals, or currency (human porters)

Chinampas

The Aztec

• Economy: Increased agricultural production through land reclamation:– Chinampas (floating gardens)– Irrigation

Tenochtitlan ruins (Mexico City)

Tenochtitlan – ruins (Mexico City)

Aztec Altar

Aztec -- Culture

• Large number of Gods– most important was Sun God Huitzilopochtli

• Gods required died of human hearts supplied through sacrifice

• Thousands sacrificed per year – most war captives

• Emperor had special blood rituals

Maize Goddess

Aztec blood-letting ceremony

Aztec ornamental skull

Aztec priest with blood bowl

Aztec sacrificial knives

Aztec wall of Skulls

Andean Civilizations

Geography

• Andes mountains – very challenging territory

• Formed thousands of miles of trail to link up three “zones”– Mountains– Jungle– Seaside

Political form of state

• Originally clan-based– “Allyu” – clan-based “payment” of surplus

grain.– M’ita – tributary labor system

Social Structure

• Gender roles clear, but all expected to work, participate in economy

Predecessors -- Moche

• No formal political structure

• Cultivation of staple crops: maize, quinoa, beans, manioc, potatoes

• Use of Alpacas for wool

• Highly stratified and theocratic society– Wealthy lived on platforms above the

commoners

Moche ceramic portrait vase

Moche (cont)

• Metallurgists (specialists)

• Fall of Moche culture – 30 years of drought

• Invasions

• Leaders lost authority –“blessing” of god

The Inca -- Economy

• Used military to set up Tributary relationship with surrounding peoples

• Mit’a labor system (1/7 of each man’s product to social support system)

Inca Quipus

The Inca -- Politics

• Kept local leaders in place– Sons kept captive at capital of Cuzco– Sacred idols kept at Cuzco

Significant Imperial Bureaucracy

Royal family as descendent from Sun God

“Theater State” (like Aztecs): rituals and symbols to maintain power & social stratification

Incan roads in Andes

The Inca -- Cultural

• Amazing architecture – masonry without mortar

• Puma-shaped city

• Achievements in Astronomy and metallurgy

Incan Tunic

The Inca (c. 1400 CE)

• Capital at Cuzco

• Overall population of 6 million

• Vast Geographic territory

• Used military to conquer distant territories of varying environments

Inca – Machu Picchyu

Inca- Macchu Pichu

Macchu Pichu Detail

Inquiry Questions

• How were the Inca and Aztecs “theatre states” and how did they manifest?

• What technological and scientific innovations did Mesoamerican culture produce ?

• How did Mesoamerican and Andean societies reflect social stratification?

• How did Mesoamericans express their interest in science?

• What was the impact of trade networks on Meso and Andean America?