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Cultures of Middle America

Cultures of Middle America. Chapter 12, Section 2. Culture of the Mayans. Life was based on farming: Technique used was called slash and burn-burn down the trees first and use the ash as fertilizer for the planted crops Farmers grew beans, squash, peppers, papayas, and avacados

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Cultures of Middle America

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  1. Cultures of Middle America Chapter 12, Section 2

  2. Culture of the Mayans • Life was based on farming: Technique used was called slash and burn-burn down the trees first and use the ash as fertilizer for the planted crops • Farmers grew beans, squash, peppers, papayas, and avacados • Most common crop was maize (corn) • Was so important they had a god of the corn

  3. Religion and Government • Different rulers ruled over each city • Priests and nobles were very important • The leaders lived in large palaces inside the city • Ceremonies took place in large temple-pyramids • Human sacrifices were part of the ceremonies • Used a system of hieroglyphics for writing

  4. Mayan Game • Invented a sports game called pok-ta-tok • Field was the size of a football field and it was played similar to soccer • Objective was to put a rubber ball through a hoop placed on a wall; could use elbows, knees, or hips

  5. Aztec Empire • Their capital of Tenochitlan was built in the middle of a lake on an island • Empire stretched from Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean • One leader ruled the entire empire; all people he conquered were forced to pay taxes in the form of food, gold, or slaves

  6. Waterways and Gardens • Had schools for sons of the noblemen • Giant pyramids were built in the center of the city and nobles lived in palaces • Created raised causeways to connect the city to the surrounding land • Built aqueducts to supply fresh water

  7. Chinampas: Raised fields built in the lakes to farm on • Made them from rich soil dredged up from the lake bottom • Planted trees along edge to keep soil from washing away • Used canals to take crops to and from city to fields

  8. Aztec Religion and Learning • Most important god was the sun god: He gave light for the crops • Believed the sun rose and fell from human blood: Practiced human sacrifice to give the sun god human blood • Prisoners were used to sacrifice • Had schools and universities for the sons of the noblemen • Studied government, politics, teachers, and scribes

  9. Aztec Society • Strict social class pyramid • Emperor • Royal family, nobles, priests, military leaders • Soldiers • Artisans • Farmers • Slaves

  10. Aztecs engaged in a lot of war • Men over 15 required to be a soldier • Used swords and bows and arrows. Wore special armor to protect themselves • Women could not be soldiers. Had to be skilled at weaving to make clothes to sell • Teenage girls were expected to grind flour, make tortillas, and cook meals

  11. End of the Aztecs • Spanish conquistadors invaded the Aztecs and were able to conquer the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma. • Spanish brought disease with them from Spain that killed many Aztec people

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