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MESOAMERICA:. MAYA, AZTEC, INCA. ESSENTIAL QUESTION:. What are the similarities and differences between the three Mesoamerican civilizations?. GEOGRAPHY *PG. 385*. -North America and South America make up the Americas region -North America: -mountains, deserts, plains, forests
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MESOAMERICA: MAYA, AZTEC, INCA
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What are the similarities and differences between the three Mesoamerican civilizations?
GEOGRAPHY *PG. 385* -North America and South America make up the Americas region -North America: -mountains, deserts, plains, forests -north is cold and icy -south is warmer -Mesoamerica: -southern part of modern Mexico and northern countries of Central America -rain forests -volcanoes (create fertile soil) -farming is good -South America: -Andes Mountains on western shore -Amazon rain forest east of Andes (largest rain forest in the world-35% of South America-estimated producer of 50% of world’s oxygen!) -Amazon River (west to east-2nd longest river in the world)
TRADE & ECONOMY -first settlers in Americas were nomadic (hunter-gatherers) -small villages formed and people started growing maize, beans, squash, potatoes (South America)
Society & Culture • Early civilizations: • Olmec • Mesoamerica in 1200 BC • First complex civilization in the Americas • Statues of leaders’ heads and gods • Maybe had writing and a calendar • Traded with nearby villages and along the Pacific coast • Ended around 400 BC • Chavin (chah-VEEN) • First civilization in South America • Lasted from 900-200 BC • Woven textiles, stone monuments, pottery
Society & Culture • Mayan Ball Game
Collapse • How did the Spanish defeat the powerful Aztecs? • Alliances (American Indians – Malintzin – pg. 415 • Weapons (Spanish had armor, cannons, swords, and horses – which the Aztecs had never seen before) • Geography (Spanish blocked causewyas, bridges, and waterways to cut off Tenochtitlan’s drinking water and supplies – Aztecs died of starvation) • Disease (Spanish brought smallpox) • How did the Spanish defeat the Incas? • Internal conflict • Atahualpa is captured • Weapons (Spanish had armor, cannons, swords, and horses) • Disease (Spanish brought smallpox)