Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
American civilizations American Civilizations Climate and geography contributed to the rise of several powerful civilizations in Middle America: Mayan Aztec Incan Migration Small groups of Paleolithic hunters and gatherers reached North America from Asia (through the Bering Strait). This great migration took place during the last ice age. Geography ► These nomadic huntergatherers slowly migrated eastward and southward across Americas. ► The first Americans adapted to a variety of climates and resources. Agricultural Revolution In Americas, as elsewhere, the greatest change occurred when people learned to cultivate plants and domesticate animals. – Farming people settled into villages. – Populations expanded. Villages grew into larger religious centers and then into the great cities of the first American civilizations. Mayan Civilization Located in the Mexican and Central American rain forest. Between 300 and 900 A.D., Mayan city-states flourished. Mayan farming methods allowed them to thrive in the tropical environment. Economy of the mayas Mayan economy was based on agriculture and trade. Mayan farmers cleared the dense forests and then built raised fields that caught and held rainwater. They also built channels that could be opened to drain excess water. Government Mayan civilization consisted of a group of city-states ruled by a king. Ruling kings, or chiefs, were surrounded by nobles who served as military leaders, and officials who collected taxes and enforced laws. Rulers were usually men, but Mayan records show that women occasionally ruled on their own. Most Mayas were farmers. Religion Polytheism Priests held great power Towering pyramid temples dominated the largest Mayan city of Tikal (present-day Guatemala). The Mayan pyramids remained the tallest structures in the Americas until 1903 (Flariton Building was built). Chichen Itza – represents Mayan civilization The Mayas Long-thought to have been peaceful worshippers of the gods, it is now known that the elaborate Mayan rituals included blood-letting. Their celebrations involved dance and sacrificial offering to win the favor of their gods. Also, they were almost constantly in a state of war with one or another of their neighbors. Mayan Achievements The Maya's knowledge of astronomy and mathematics was immense. Some of their calculations have proved not only to be well in advance of heir time, but more accurate than those that we use today. They include a calendar and the calculation of lunar cycles and the accurate prediction of eclipses. Aztec Civilization Located in arid valley in central Mexico. In the late 1200s, bands of nomadic people (ancestors of Aztecs) migrated into the Valley of Mexico from the north. They built the city of Tenochtitlán (on the site of Mexico City). Once settled, the shifted from hunting to farming. To create more farmlands, the Aztecs built chinampas, artificial islands made of earth piled on reed mats that were anchored to the shallow lake bed. On these “floating gardens,” they grew corn, beans, and squash. An Example of Chinampas Aztec economy was based on agriculture. Government and Society Unlike the Mayan citystates, each of which had its own king, the Aztecs had a single ruler. The emperor was chosen by a council of nobles and priests to lead in war. Aztecs had the most advanced civilization in the Western Hemisphere. The Highest Status Emperor Nobles (served as officials, judges, governors) Warriors Commoners Slaves (farmers) (criminals and POWs) Montezuma 1410 AD - 1469 AD The Great Aztec Emperor Montezuma I, became the Aztec Emperor in 1440 AD. He won fame as a military leader who expanded the boundaries of the Aztec Empire to the Gulf of Mexico. His military campaigns forced several tribes in Mexico into a united state. He built an aqueduct to bring fresh water to his capital Tenochtitlan. Spaniards took over Mexico on 1521. Religion Polytheism – based on warfare. They made sacrifices to the war god. Pyramids – centers of worship. Incan Civilization Located in the Andes Mountains of South America – modern day Peru. The capital city of the Incas was Cuzco. Pachacuti, a warrior and leader, was the founder of the Incan empire. Government People of the Incan empire lived in one of the most highly ordered societies in history. The Incan empire was ruled by an emperor, who exercised absolute power. – Emperor was also the chief religious leader – like the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, the Incan god-kings owned all the land, herds, mines, and people. The carved head of an Inca king juts out over the road to Bolivia. This head is about 8-10 feet high. Economy Incan economy was based on high-altitude agriculture. On steep hillside, they carved out strips of land to be held in place by stone walls (kept rain from washing away the soil). Roads Like the Romans, the Incas were inventive road builders. The rugged terrain made it necessary for the Incas to develop new bridge-building technology. Religion Polytheism: – The Inca were a deeply religious people. They feared that evil would befall at any time. – Sorcerers held high positions in society as protectors from the spirits. – They also believed in reincarnation, saving their nail clippings, hair cuttings and teeth in case the returning spirit needed them. Sun In the Andean mythology it was considered that Incas were descendants of the Sun, therefore, they had to worship it annually with a sumptuous celebration. Machu Picchu – represents Incan Civilization • Built by the Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu" (Old Peak) at 7,000 feet above sea level. • Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, with its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. Achievement of Mayan, Aztec and Incan civilizations Calendars Mathematics Writing system Geography Review