EARLY AMERICAN EMPIRES

1. UNIT 5Chapter 9 – The Americas: A Separate WorldChapter 16 – People and Empires in the Americas EARLY AMERICAN EMPIRES

2. OBJECTIVES • CORE OBJECTIVE: Describe the impact and influence of early American civilizations upon the rest of the world. • Objective 5.4: Identify the key features of Maya kingdoms. • Objective 5.5: Describe Aztec society, religion, and urban planning • Objective 5.6: Trace the developments of the Incan Empire. • THEME:

3. CHAPTER 16: People and Empires in the Americas, 500–1500 Societies in the Americas range from small tribal bands to the vast empires of the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Inca. North American Societies SECTION 1 Maya Kings and Cities SECTION 2 The Aztecs Control Central Mexico SECTION 3 The Inca Create a Mountain Empire SECTION 4

4. THE AZTECS CONTROL CENTRAL MEXICO Through alliances and conquest, the Aztecs create a powerful empire in Mexico. CHAPTER 16 SECTION 3

5. AD MESO-AMERICA

6. The valley of mexico • (Central) Mexican valley Geography • Mountain basin 7,500 feet above sea level, large lakes, fertile soil • Teotihuacán and Toltec settle in valley, develop civilizations • An Early City-State • Teotihuacán city-state rises in first century A.D. • At peak, in 500s, city has up to 200,000 people • Serves as center of trade, especially of obsidian— volcanic glass • City quickly declines; by 750 is abandoned WRITE THIS DOWN!

7. Pyramid of the Sun • 200 ft tall teotihuacan More than 20 pyramids dedicated to Gods

8. The toltecs WRITE THIS DOWN! • About 900, Toltecs rise to power; rule for about 300 years • A warlike people, they rule by conquest • They worship fierce war god and offer human sacrifices • Toltec ruler Topiltzin tries to change religion, end human sacrifice • Encourages worship of Quetzalcoatl— “Feathered Serpent” — a new god

9. quetzacoatl • Topiltzin is exiled to Yucatán Peninsula; by early 1200s, Toltec rule ends • Quetzacoatl becomes legend of the Mexican Valley • According to legend he traveled east on a raft of snakes • Legend told that one day he would return bringing a new reign of peace

10. The aztecs WRITE THIS DOWN! • Arrival of the Aztecs • Aztecs (or Mexica) arrive around 1200, begin working as soldiers • By own legend, a god leads them to found city of Tenochtitlán • Aztecs Grow Stronger • Triple Alliance —1428 agreement of Aztec and two other city-states • By early 1500s, Aztecs have large empire and rule 5–15 million people • Power comes from tribute resulting from conquests

11. Social classes • Noble class — military leaders, officials, priests — rules Aztec society • Nobles own vast estates, live life of wealth and luxury • Commoners: • merchants, artisans, soldiers, farmers • Lowest class: enslaved people • Emperor’s power is absolute, lives in palace, is revered

12. Tenochtitlán: A Planned City • Causeways connect island city to mainland areas • Canals enable people to carry goods to city and its huge main market • Chinampas, floating islands, used to grow crops • Central area has palaces, temples, government buildings WRITE THIS DOWN!

13. tenochtitlan

14. chinampas

15. The great temple

16. Religion rules Aztec life • Many Gods • Religion includes 1,000 gods, many adopted from other peoples • Religious Practices • Center of religion is public ceremonies to win gods’ favor • Many religious festivals throughout year • Sacrifices for the Sun God • Most important rituals are for sun god, Huitzilopochtli • He needs human sacrifices to be strong • Aztecs engage in war to provide captives for these sacrifices WRITE THIS DOWN!

17. Problems in the Aztec empire • In 1502, Montezuma IIbecomes emperor; he calls for more tribute • These sacrifices lead to revolt in outlying areas • Emperor tries to make life easier, but Aztecs worry about future • Soon after, Spanish arrive and conquer aztecs WRITE THIS DOWN!

18. tenochitlan • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nS6MpVbB_g