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Cities and Empires: Olmec, Aztec, Inca Empire

Cities and Empires: Olmec, Aztec, Inca Empire. Chapter 1, Lesson 2. Anticipatory Set: I see, I think, I wonder. Civilizations. Great civilizations (highly developed societies) were established in Mexico, Central America, and South America centuries before the Europeans arrived.

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Cities and Empires: Olmec, Aztec, Inca Empire

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  1. Cities and Empires: Olmec, Aztec, Inca Empire Chapter 1, Lesson 2

  2. Anticipatory Set: I see, I think, I wonder

  3. Civilizations • Great civilizations (highly developed societies) were established in Mexico, Central America, and South America centuries before the Europeans arrived. • The largest and most advanced were Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca. • They built huge cities in forests and mountains. • Turn and talk: What enabled these civ’s to become highly developed?

  4. Olmec • Located along Gulf Coast of present day Mexico (around 1200 B.C. – 300 B.C.) • Built stone houses, monuments, and drainage systems • Collapsed about 300 B.C., but had a strong influence on future cultures.

  5. The Maya • Reached its peak around A.D. 250-900 • Lived in large cities • Was a theocracy (society ruled by religious leaders) • Developed system of writing called hieroglyphics (symbols that represent things, ideas, and sounds) • Were active traders but did not have wheeled vehicles or horses, so carried items on their backs and used canoes • The Maya declined around 1200; reason is a mystery

  6. The Aztec • 1325 this group of hunters established their permanent home in central Mexico video • Their capital was Tenochititlan (present day Mexico City) – largest city in the Americas and one of the largest in the world • Created a military empire and conquered many neighboring communities • Culture revolved around religious beliefs (human sacrifices) Video

  7. The Aztec Continued • Aztec Empire still thriving when Europeans arrived • Conquered by Cortez (Spanish) • Video

  8. Inca • Largest of all early American civilizations • Capital called Cuzco – established around 1200 • Located in highlands of South America • The emperor Pachacuti came and expanded their empire- people believed he was a descendant of the sun god • Built around war – men 25-50 could be drafted • Weapons included clubs, spears, and spiked copper balls on ropes • One great city called Machu Picchu which was devoted to religious ceremonies • Conquered by Pizarro (Spanish)

  9. Inca (continued) • Large population required a lot of food and had to farm mountainous lands so they cut terraces (broad platforms) into steep slopes • Managing such a large territory (about 3000 miles!) was difficult • Built roads and rope bridges • Like the Aztecs, the Inca were thriving in the early 1500’s when Spanish soldiers would come and cause a dramatic change in their lives Video

  10. Machu Pichu (The Hidden City)

  11. Shared Characteristics of these Civilizations • Farming • Higher population due to farming • Higher populations gave them edge in conquering others • Developed ideas about religion • Built great cities due to sedentary shift (stopped hunting and started farming)

  12. Tweet • Tweet one thing you found interesting. • #Aztec, #Inca #Maya #Olmec

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