Chapter 16:Peoples and Empires
in the Americas, 900-1500
(pp. 391 - 411)
Atahualpa
Diverse Societies of North America:• Northwest Coast Indians• Pueblo People: Hohokam (AZ), Anasazi
(UT, AZ, CO, NM), • Mound Builders: Mississippian, mounds
can be found in Cahokia, IL• Woodlands: Iroquois, Algonquian,
Muskogean; Iroquois League was made up of Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cyuga, and the Seneca from upper NY
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICASThe Maya, Aztec, and Inca
civilizations dominated regions of Central and South America from about 1200 B.C. through the 1500’s.
These civilizations were advanced in technology, trade, language, and social organization.
All three empires eventually fell to the Spanish conquistadors.
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Mayan Civilization stretched from southern Mexico into Northern Central America including the Yucatan Peninsula.
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
The period from A. D. 250 – 900 is known as the
Classical Period of Mayan Civilization
City-states Ruled by a god-king Centers of trade and religious ceremonies
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICASMayan Cities
•Giant Pyramids
•Temples
•Palaces
•Stone Carvings
•Residential Areas
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Agriculture and Trade City-states linked
through trade & alliances Large variety of crops Slash-and-burn Planted raised beds Practiced hillside
terracing Sufficient food and
surplus for trade
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Architecture Elaborate Pyramids
Tikal Pyramids were the tallest structures in the Americas until 1903.
Temples were constructed in every city Ball courts for Mayan games that had
religious and political significance. They believed playing the game would maintain the cycle of the sun and moon and bring needed rain.
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Mayan Religion Influenced every aspect of life
Believed gods inhabited 13 layers of the sky and 9 layers of the underworld
Gods represented various aspects of life Gods could be evil or good or both Worship consisted of prayer, offerings including
blood offerings, and human sacrifice believing that human sacrifice was pleasing to the gods and kept the world in balance.
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Mayan Contributions Calendar – 260 day
religious calendar and a 365 day solar calendar – 365.2420 day Based on observation
of the planets, sun, and moon. Both calendars could be cross referenced for specific days
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Mayan Contributions Advanced system of
writing 800 hieroglyphic
symbols Some symbols stand
for words, others represent syllables.
Kept records of important historical events
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICASDecline of Mayan Civilization 800s many Mayan cities were
abandoned Invaders from Toltec moved into
Mayan lands Infighting among the Mayan city-
states Many fled to the jungles Trade was disrupted Over farming, food shortages,
famine, and disease By the time the Spaniards arrived the
civilization had been greatly weakened.
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS Aztec EmpireConsidered the greatest empire in Mesoamerica
Powerful cities established as early as the 6th century. Two powerful groups inhabited the region prior to the arrival of the Aztec.
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Toltec Civilization Ruled the region for about 300 years Built pyramids and temples Extremely warlike Warlike people whose empire was based
on conquest Worshipped war gods who demanded
human sacrifice Trade spread all through Mesoamerica
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Aztec Empire By 1200 Aztec occupied the Valley of
Mexico Established the city of Tenochtitlan Formed a Triple Alliance with other
strong cities Conquered and established and empire
with a population of between 5 and 15 million
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Religion of the Aztec Played a major role in Aztec society Many gods adopted from other
Mesoamericans Public ceremonies designed to please and win the
favor of the gods Believed that the god of the sun made it rise only
if he was nourished with human blood Thousands of victims were sacrificed on the alter
of the Great Temple where the priest carved out the beating heart
Most of those sacrificed were captives of war
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Aztec Empire Loose control over the empire Demanded tribute, those failing to pay were
punished severely Empire ruled by military leaders, priests, and
government officials, making the noble class Other social divisions included commoners
and slaves. Merchants held a place of high position among the commoners
Trade brought great wealth and power to the Aztec
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Problems for the Aztec Montezuma II, Aztec emperor allowed
the empire to weaken Demanded more tribute and taxes Resentment grew within the empire The Spanish explorers/conquistadors arrived
to challenge and eventually take the land of the Aztec
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Inca Empire First settled in the Cuzco Valley Believed the Inca ruler was a descended from the sun god They worshipped dead rulers who were preserved as mummies. The dead kept their wealth so each ruler had to acquire his own wealth.
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Inca Government Good organization and administration Government bureaucracy to manage the
empire Had a common language Built an extensive network of roads –
promoted good communication No writing system but kept records through a
system of knotted strings Developed an elaborate calendar system
EMPIRES OF THE AMERICAS
Inca Religion Worshipped fewer gods that Aztec & Maya Focused on the spirits of nature, especially the sun, since the ruler was believed to have come from the sun god.
Inca FallAfter civil war and leadership disputes,the empire fell to Pizarro, a Spanishconquistador.