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Civilization of the Americas Study Guide – Chapter 14 and 15 in Holt
1.
Where is Mesoamerica located? How did people first arrive to Mesoamerica (most accepted theory)?
2.
What was the main crop grown for the early people in Mesoamerica?
3.
Who formed the first urban civilization in Mesoamerica and discuss some of their achievements.
4.
What special value did cacoa beans have for the Maya?
5.
Discuss farming in Mesoamerica. Why were farmers successful? Why was farming so significant?
6.
Where are the three civilizations we have studied located (Maya, Aztec, Inca)?
7.
Describe the two main purposes of the Mayan calendar.
8.
Describe what the Maya believed their gods needed?
9.
What is obsidian, and why was it important to the Maya?
10. What is the social hierarchy of the Mayas, and what specific duties did each level do?
11. Describe possible theories that explain the decline of the Mayan civilization.
12. What religious ability did the Maya believe their kings had?
13. Describe the achievements made by the Mayas (scientific, writing, literature, architecture, etc.).
14. Define “tribute.” Why was it important to the Aztec people?
15. Describe the importance of human sacrifice in Aztec society.
16. Discuss the rise of the Aztecs. Where did they come from? Where did they settle? Describe this place
before it became the Aztec capital. Why did they settle there? How did they rise to power? What three
things contributed to their rise?
17. Describe how the Aztecs used chinampas.
18. Discuss other achievements of the Aztecs (scientific, writing, literature, architecture, etc.).
19. Discuss the fall of the Aztec empire. How did it happen? What contributed to it?
20. Who was the ruler of the Aztecs who met with the Spaniards? Who was the leader of the Spaniards that
conquered the Aztecs? Why did the Aztec leader welcome the Spanish leader?
21. Why did the Spanish come to the Americas?
22. Why did other native tribes make alliances with the Spanish leader?
23. Describe the importance of the Aztec codex.
24. Discuss the social hierarchy of the Aztecs and the role each level had.
25. Describe the difference between the Aztec religion and the religion of the Spanish.
26. Describe the Inca tax system called the “mita.”
27. What did the Aztec and Incan religions have in common?
28. How was the Incan upper class different from the lower class?
29. What Incan ruler refused to convert to Christianity, prompting the Spaniards to attack?
30. What is Quechua, and why was it important to the Inca people?
31. Why were the mummies of Incan former kings treated with respect?
32. Describe the Incan city of Machu Picchu.
33. How were Incan stories passed from one generation to the next?
34. Who conquered the Inca Empire?
35. Describe Inca achievements and their importance. Remember A.R.T.
36. What are some differences between the Incas and the Aztecs and Mayas?