Download Chapter 6 Lesson 3 The Aztecs

Chapter 6 Lesson 1
Geography of Mesoamerica
Land of Rugged Mountains
Mesoamerica extends from about the middle of present-day Mexico to
the central part of Central America
Northern Mesoamerica has two main mountain ranges
o Sierra Madre Occidental
o Sierra Madre Oriental
Plateau of Mexico – a high, flat area
o At the center of this plateau is the Central Plateau
Volcanoes are also located in this area and provide
o Basalt
o Obsidian
o Fertile soil for farming
Highlands lie to the south
o Rugged land of steep ridges and gorges(deep, narrow valleys)
Lack of rain =desert conditions in some areas
Some areas get enough rain to grow crops
o Maize(corn)
o Beans
o Squash
Cenotes (natural wells) provide drinking water
o Some believe these wells were gifts from the gods
The differences in the landscapes helped these people develop unique
cultures
Chapter 6 Lesson 2
The Olmec and the Maya
Olmec
The Olmecs were divided into social classes based on wealth and power
Their government was a theocracy – the leader and the ruling classes
are believed to represent the will of the gods
Priests and government officials were the most powerful classes in
Olmec civilization.
Olmec civilization is often called the “Mother Culture” or “Mother
Civilization” of Mesoamerica
o The Olmec directly influenced all of the Mesoamerican
civilizations that followed
Maya
Mayans are different from the Olmec because their civilization reached
its peak about A.D. 250
Calendars were very important
o Recorded birth dates
o Recorded marriage dates
o Recorded military victories
o Made sure they were honoring their gods on the right dates
Chapter 6 Lesson 3
The Aztecs
At one time, the Aztecs were just one of many Mesoamerican
peoples and they called themselves the Mexica
The Mexica started a city—all the good land was taken so they
settled on two swampy islands in Lake Texcoco – they called
their city Tenochtitlan after an ancestor Tenoch
As their population grew and the island became overcrowded
they built more islands called chinampas for people to live on
The Mexica formed alliances or agreements to work with other
city-states, this helped their power grow far and wide
In 1502 Moctezuma II became emperor and the
Aztecs(Mexica) enjoyed their greatest period of power
and wealth
In 1519 Hernando Cortes marched in and took over –
the Aztec Empire was over
Essays:
1. What were three crops the Mesoamericans grew?
2. Why were so many artifacts found at the bottom of the
cenotes?
3. Why was the Olmec culture called a “Mother Civilization”?
4. How were the Olmec, Maya, and Aztecs alike and different?
5. Describe how the Aztec empire came to an end.