Fall of the Mayans Notes

1. Fall of the Mayans Notes • Warfare Mayan warfare change from ritualized warfare to wars for conquest. They frequently attacked cities and the attacks became very violent. Now attacks slaughtered innocent civilians. • Problems with the government or leadership A few of the Mayan kings were capture and killed. When this occurred the Mayan civilians began to lose faith that their kings were actually gods. Therefore, the people stop following their leadership and problems of leadership ensued. Over-population The Mayans began building houses on their fertile farmland.Inadvertently, the Mayans destroyed their primary food source. As a result, famine and disease spread throughout their territory. Also, they started experiencing problems with erosion.

2. Decline of Athens Notes • Lack of Leadership Pericles died from the Plague. After his death Athenian leaders swayed to the opinion of the masses. The leaders did not have a vision or any goals for the future of Athens . Athenian leaders fought for the favor of the Athenian population. The leaders did or said anything to gain more power in the assembly. Athens executed its generals over military decisions made during a naval battle. • Plague The battle plan of Pericles brought all of the citizens behind the walls of Athens. The plague entered the city on the grain ships, which supplied food to the city. 1/3 of the population died as a result of the Plague. Pericles, the exceptional leader of Athens, died in the plague.

3. Decline of Athens Notes • Warfare Athens declared war on its old rival Sparta. Athens was the aggressor in the war. Plague ravaged Athens, as a result of the battle plan and the war. Athens grew weary of the war and look to a decisive victory in Sicily to quickly end the war. During the Sicilian campaign generals quarreled amongst themselves, and the campaign resulted in the lost of the entire army and fleet. Finally, Sparta made an alliance with Persia and conquered Athens. Sparta forced Athens to tear down its walls and surrender its remaining fleet. • Moral Decline Athens demonstrated many fatal flaws in the Peloponnesian War. First, Athens exhibited greed, pride, and arrogance in declaring a war of aggression on Sparta. Next, many of the leaders of Athens lacked the character and vision to lead Athens during the war. Furthermore, generals displayed selfish behavior during their squabbles over strategy during the Sicilian campaign. During the war, the people of Athens reverted back to "Mob Rule". The citizens let their passions and prejudices distort their decisions