Download Chapter 7 Lesson 2

Chapter 7 Lesson 2
Life in the Americas
The Maya
• 1839 Archaeologists discovered the
ancient city of the Maya.
• The Maya were the ancestors of millions
of Central Americans today.
Maya Communities
• AD 300 – The Maya built a complex
culture in Mexico and C. Am.
• Swamps and sinkholes gave access to
water.
• The Maya cleared forests, planted corn
and built cities.
• The Maya built over 50 city-states.
What Was Maya Society Like?
• Each city-state had a king descended from the
sun-god.
• Maya city-states had a strict class system. Nobles
& priests then farmers, artisans & hunters.
• Maya believed that the Gods controlled
everything. Offered sacrifices.
• Maya fought battles and took land and captives.
• Ruling woman served as queens and royal woman
married into other royal families, built alliances.
Maya Achievements
• The priests felt the Gods revealed their plans
through the sun, moon and stars.
• Developed a calendar and could predict eclipses
• 260 day religious calendar and a 365 day calendar
for seasons and agriculture.
• Developed a counting system based on 20, used 0
• 900 Maya culture collapsed, may have been
warfare or overuse of soil.
The Aztec
• Aztec came to power in Mesoamerica in
the 1300’s.
• The Aztec were hunters and warriors.
Rise of the Aztec
• Aztec searched for a home promised to
them. Aztec sun god – Quetzalcoatl.
• 1325 settled in Lake Texcoco.
• The priests declared a great city be built.
Tenochtitlan was built on an island.
• The Aztec relied on Emperors selected by
a council.
• Montezuma was a powerful leader that
expanded the empire.
Aztec Life
• Emperors followed by 4 classes, nobles,
commoners, unskilled workers & slaves.
• Boys were trained to be warriors.
• Priests offered sacrifice, worked to preserve
religion, history and lit.
• Also used a 260 day religious calendar and a
365 day calendar for everyday use.
• Aztec farmed using irrigation and fertilizer.