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Name: ________________________ Holden – Global I (9th Grade) Date: Period: The Mayas Introduction One major civilization influenced by the Olmecs was that of the Mayas, who flourished from about A.D. 300 to 900. During this period, the Mayas developed a complex agricultural society. They established large city-states in southern Mexico and throughout much of Central America. 1. What evidence suggests that the Mayas established a complex civilization? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Farming and Trade Farmers made up most of the Mayan population. Men usually cultivated the crops, which included corn, beans, and squash. Women were in charge of turning these crops into food. To clear forest land for crops, the Maya practiced slash-and-burn agriculture. This method of farming involves burning vegetation to clear land for planting. What was remaining after this method was practiced served as a fertilizer for the season’s harvest. Farmers paid taxes, in the form of food, to support the cities and their temples. Farming did not provide everything the Maya needed. Villages started trading with one another to get goods such as cotton and jade that came from different parts of Mesoamerica. The Mayas accumulated much wealth from a profitable trade system. Traders carried valuable honey, cocoa, and feathers across Central America along hard-packed dirt roads. 2. Explain the differing gender roles of Maya men and women? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Why did the Maya practice slash-and-burn agriculture? _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why do civilizations develop trade networks? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Religion _____________________________________________________________________________________ The Maya were polytheistic. Because of the significance of religion to the Mayas, priests occupied an important place in the social hierarchy, or social structure. These religious leaders held such importance because they alone could conduct the elaborate rituals that the Mayas believed would ensure abundant harvests and victories in battle. One common ritual involved offering blood to the gods, usually by piercing the tongue or skin. Common religious rituals involved a ball game. In this game, players tried to get a heavy rubber ball through a stone ring using only their elbows, knees, or hips. Losing teams often lost their lives as well, with their hearts sacrificed to the gods. The Maya performed human sacrifices only on certain occasions. 5. Why would priests and other religious leaders conduct rituals? _____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Who were the Olmecs and what did they accomplish? _____________________________________________________________________________________ Social Structure Maya civilization featured a distinct social hierarchy. Each Mayan city-state had its own ruling chief. Priests would be located below ruling chiefs. Below priests were the nobles. Nobles served as city officials, military leaders, and professional warriors. Although those in the ruling class were usually men, women could occasionally obtain some degree of power. Just below the nobles were merchants and skilled craftpeople. Most Mayas, however, were farmers. Complete the social structure triangle from the information found in the section above. Draw each class on the triangle and explain each class on the lines provided next to the triangle. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Contributions ________________________________________________ Architecture In their cities, the Mayas built impressive pyramid temples and large ______________________________________________ palaces. In addition, canals were a major achievement of the Maya that served as vital irrigation systems. Elaborate paintings5.and carvings the walls depicted events from Maya Who were theon Olmecs and what did they accomplish? history. ________________________________________________ Agriculture Despite the tropical_____________________________________ environment, the Mayas grew enough food to support large city populations. Farmers made this possible clearing the densethat rain forestsin and 3. What are thebynames of theout civilizations emerged then building raised fields that were capable of holding andwere draining rainwater. the Americas? Where they located? ________________________________________________ Learning and Science Perhaps the most impressive achievement of the Mayas was _____________________________________ their advanced learning. Mayas developed a hieroglyphic (picture) system of writing and ________________________________________________ recorded much of their knowledge in books made of tree bark. Mayan priests developed a very _____________________________________ accurate 365-day calendar. They used a numbering system and understood the concept of zero before Europeans did. Fill in notes for each contribution topic: Architecture Agriculture Learning and Science _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ ____________________ ________________ ________________ Decline _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Around A.D. 900, the Mayas abandoned their cities. Historians speculate that warfare or _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ overpopulation may have cause agriculture to decline or that there were revolts by the lower _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ classes. Remnants of this great culture remain, however. Today millions of people in _____________________ __________________ __________________ Guatemala and southern Mexico speak Mayan languages. _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Name: ________________________ Holden – Global I (9th Grade) Date: Period: THE AZTECS INTRODUCTION In the late 1200s, the Aztecs established their capital at Tenochtitlan. They were fierce warriors. In the 1400s, the Aztecs used conquests and alliances to build a huge empire. Their capital grew to become a magnificent city with temples, palaces, gardens, and zoos. EXPANSION In the early 1400s, Aztec leaders began forming alliances with neighboring city-states. An alliance is an arrangement in which two or more countries or groups agree to work together in an effort to change or achieve a mutual goal. The Aztecs soon became the dominant power in what is now central Mexico. Then, through a series of military victories over smaller states, the Aztecs steadily expanded their empire. Each conquered state was given an Aztec governor. The Aztecs became wealthy from tribute, payment they took from conquered people. By the early 1500s, the Aztecs empire covered most of Mexico and included about 30 million people. RELIGION Religion was important to the Aztecs. Priests were higher in the social hierarchy because they led rituals that were believed to appease the gods, who were thought to prevent disasters. The Aztecs built a huge pyramid in the center of Tenochtitlan to honor their chief deity, the sun god. To please the gods, Aztecs priests offered many thousands of human sacrifices. Both the Olmecs and the Mayas had also practiced human sacrifice. Aztec sacrificial victims were usually captured enemy soldiers. SOCIAL STRUCTURE Rulers, Nobles, and Priests Unlike the Mayas, the Aztecs were ruled by a single emperor, who was chosen by a council of nobles and priests. Below this ruler was the noble class which consisted of priests, government officials, judges, and city-state governors. Warriors and Traders The warriors came next in the Aztec class structure. A warrior might rise into the noble class through superior performance on the battlefield. Traders were below warriors in social status. They carried goods over long distances to exchange for products from peoples who lived beyond the empire. Farmers and Slaves Most of the people in the empire were farmers. Slaves made up the lowest class in the social structure. Members of this group were mainly criminals or enemy soldiers who had been captured. Despite their low status in society, they still had certain rights guaranteed by Aztec law. Some slave even owned land and eventually bought their freedom. CONTRIBUTIONS Learning and Science Aztec priests devised an accurate calendar. They also established schools and recorded historical events. Aztec medical practices were advanced enough that practitioners could set broken bones and treat dental cavities. Architecture and Engineering The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was one of the great achievements of Mesoamerican civilization. Built on the site of present-day Mexico City, Tenochtitlan began as two small islands in Lake Texcoco. Engineers filled in parts of the lake and built wide stone causeways to connect Tenochtitlan to the mainland. Architects designed high pyramid temples, an elaborate emperor’s palace, and busy outdoor markets. An estimated 200,000 people lived in Tenochtitlan in C.E. 1500, making it the largest and most densely populated settlement in Mesoamerica. Agriculture As their population grew, the Aztecs found effect ways to create more farmland. They used a variety of fertilizers and converted swampy areas into productive farmland. They also built chinampas, artificial islands made of earth piled on reed mats that were attached to the shallow bed of Lake Texcoco. On these “floating gardens” Aztec farmers raised corn, squash, and beans. The Aztecs’ ability to produce an abundance of food was a major factor in the success of their empire. Name: ________________________ Holden – Global I (9th Grade) Date: Period: Aztecs: Student Response Sheet The Aztecs Introduction: What is the name of the Aztec capital? What did it contain that makes is a magnificent city? __________________________________________________________________________________________ Expansion: What is an alliance? __________________________________________________________________________________________ How did the Aztecs expand their empire? __________________________________________________________________________________________ How did the Aztecs gain wealth? How was the Aztec conquering practice similar to Chinese dynasties? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Religion: Why were priests important members of society? __________________________________________________________________________________________ Why wouldn’t you want the Aztecs to capture you in battle? __________________________________________________________________________________________ Social Structure: Label and explain each class within Aztec society. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ How was the Aztec emperor selected? __________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Who were the Olmecs and what did they accomplish? How did the Aztecs treat their slaves? ________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________ Contributions: 3. What are the names of the civilizations that emerged in Where was the city of Tenochtitlan built? How was it built? Where were they located? the Americas? __________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________________ Describe a chinampa? _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ What do you think was the greatest contribution of the Aztecs? Explain why! __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: ________________________ Holden – Global I (9th Grade) Date: Period: THE INCAS INTRODUCTION In the 1400s, the Incas emerged from the Andes Mountains in South America and conquered a large area that extended over 2,500 miles down the Pacific coast. The Incas ruled an empire made up a many separate conquered peoples. CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT An emperor ruled the Incas. The first emperor was a warrior who led his armies through many successful battles. The emperor held absolute power and owned all of the people, land, herds, and mines. The emperor was also the chief religious leader and claimed divine status as the son of the sun. The emperor headed a strong central government from the mountain capital at Cuzco. Nobles ran the provinces along with local chieftains from the conquered people of each area. Other officials collected taxes, enforced laws, and performed routine government business. The Incan government strictly controlled the lives of the millions of people within its empire. Everyone had to speak the same language, Quechua, and practice the Incan religion. RELIGION Incan religion affected all parts of daily life. The people worshiped many gods related to forces of nature as well as guardian spirits in the home. The most important Incan deity was the sun god. A powerful class of priests conducted rituals and led monthly religious festivals that featured sports and games. AN EMPIRE LINKED BY ROADS The emperor could not have imposed this centralized rule over such a large area without a remarkable system of roads. Runners used these roads to carry news swiftly from far-off provinces to the emperor in the capital. If necessary, Incan armies could move quickly over the roads to crush any rebellion that formed in distant corners of the empire. CONTRIBUTIONS Architecture and Engineering The Incan system of roads stands out as a major accomplishment of their civilization. It extended more than 12,000 miles, included hundred of bridges, and even used tunnels and steps to pass through mountainous terrain. The capital city of Cuzco was home to other Incan engineering achievements. In the city center stood the giant Temple of the Sun, built with huge stone blocks and featuring inner walls lined with gold. The engineering of this temple was so advanced that the building was strong enough to withstand major earthquakes. Agriculture Like the Aztecs, the Incas frequently borrowed and built upon ideas from other societies. Incan farmers used stone walls to improve upon terraces. Terrace farming is an agricultural method in which farmers planted crops on strips of land on steep hillsides. Downward sloped hillsides were dug and flattened which prevented strong rain from washing away the soil. The terraces made in possible to farm effectively in places were flat land was scarce. Communication Incan government officials kept records by means of a system of colored and knotted cords known as quipus. The colors and knots represented numbers and dates. Historians believe that quipus maybe have been used to record dates and events as well as population and crop statistics. Science The Incas had a calendar but were not as advanced in astronomy as the Mayas had been. One areas in which the Incas excelled was medicine. The performed successful surgery to treat head wounds. The Incas also had knowledge about diseases and medicines; they used herbs and antiseptics. Name: ________________________ Date: Holden – Global I (9th Grade) Period: Incas: Student Response Sheet The Incas Introduction: Where did the Incas settle? __________________________________________________________________________________________ Centralized Government: What factors lead you to understand the emperor’s power was absolute? __________________________________________________________________________________________ Where was the Incan capital city? __________________________________________________________________________________________ Would you want to live under Incan government? Explain yes or no! __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Religion: Which religions that we have studied this year are similar to the Incas? Explain how they are similar. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ What is the main Incan god? __________________________________________________________________________________________ An Empire Linked By Roads Cross-Cultural Connection: What other powerful civilization had an advanced system of roads? __________________________________________________________________________________________ What were Incan roads used for? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Contributions: Describe the Temple of the Sun at the city of Cuzco? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ What is terrace farming? Why did Incan farmers practice this method of agriculture? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ What are quipus? __________________________________________________________________________________________ What evidence suggests that the Incan’s were advanced in medicine? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________