People and Empires in the Americas, 900–1500
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Chapter OverviewChapter Overview
Time LineTime Line
Visual SummaryVisual Summary
SECTION Diverse Societies of North America 1
SECTION Mayan Kings and Cities 2
SECTION The Aztecs Control Central Mexico 3
SECTION The Inca Create a Mountain Empire 4
16CHAPTER
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Chapter Overview
In the Americas, Native American, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations develop prior to the arrival of the Europeans. These civilizations, reflecting their geographic diversity, all develop sophisticated social, political, and economic institutions.
16CHAPTER People and Empires in
the Americas, 900–1500
500s Teotihuacan reaches population peak in central Mexico.
800 Anasazi culture develops in the Southwest.
900 Classic period of Mayan civilization ends.
1100 Mississippian culture thrives at Cahokia.
16CHAPTER
Time Line
500 1500
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People and Empires in the Americas, 900–1500
1438 Pachacuti becomes Inca emperor.
1502 Montezuma II crowned Aztec emperor.
1325 Aztecs build Tenochtitlan.
The dwellings and characteristics of Native American cultures, such as the Pueblos and Mound Builders, reflect their different environments. Common patterns of trade, religion, and social structure link diverse Native American peoples.
OverviewOverview AssessmentAssessment
Key Idea
Diverse Societies of North America
1HOME
MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Complex North American societies were linked to each other through culture and economics.
Traditions and ideas from these cultures became part of the cultures of North America.
Overview
Diverse Societies of North America
1
AssessmentAssessment
• potlatch
• Anasazi
• pueblos
• Mississippian
• Iroquois
• totems
TERMS & NAMES
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1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Compare and contrast Native Americans of the Northwest Coast and the Southwest.
Diverse Societies of North America
1
Section 1 Assessment
continued . . .
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Northwest CoastSouthwest Both
Gathered food and hunted, fished;differences in wealth created social classes;had potlatches
Irrigated desert lands;used pottery;built cliff dwellings, pueblos, kivas
Believed in nature spirits;believed in Great Spirit;
believed land was for everyone;sought harmony with nature;felt family was the basic unit
2. In what ways did the peoples of North America share similar cultural patterns? THINK ABOUT
Section
Diverse Societies of North America
1
1 Assessment
• how the people viewed the environment • the role of family in their lives • religion
ANSWERANSWER
continued . . .
Most of the native people shared a love of the earth, valued the family unit, believed in the Great Spirit, and used totems.
Possible Response:
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3. What evidence is there that societies in North America interacted with each other? THINK ABOUT
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Diverse Societies of North America
1
1 Assessment
• how goods were obtained • ways to defend against enemies • what kinds of evidence historians find and consider valid
ANSWERANSWER
Possible Responses:
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• Cultural groups throughout North America traded for goods they needed.
• Groups established alliances such as the Iroquois League for defense.
• Artifacts, ruins, and stories offer evidence of such interaction. End of Section 1
Mayan civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica during the first millennium A.D. Mayan cities and farms, religious practices, and achievements reflect a highly advanced culture. By the 900s, however, the Maya are in decline.
OverviewOverview AssessmentAssessment
Key Idea
Mayan Kings and Cities 2HOME
2
The Maya developed a highly complex civilization based on city-states controlled by dynasties of kings.
Descendants of the Maya still occupy the same territory.
Overview
AssessmentAssessment
• Tikal
• glyph
• codex
• Popol Vuh
MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW
TERMS & NAMES
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Mayan Kings and Cities
The Maya developed a highly complex civilization in Mesoamerica.
Mayan Kings and Cities 2
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List details to support the following main idea: “The Maya developed a highly complex civilization in Mesoamerica.” You may want to review the characteristics of a civilization found in Chapter 1.
Section 2 Assessment
continued . . .
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They built spectacular city-states ruled by
dynasties of god-kings.
Created huge architectural sites
Developed sophisticated farming methods
Created a complex religious system
Developed advanced mathematics, astronomy,
and writing systems
Mayan Kings and Cities 2
2. How important do you think the development of advanced mathematics was in the creation of the Mayan calendar? THINK ABOUT
Section 2 Assessment
• how records are kept over long periods of time • the need for numbers larger than 20 • the need for precision
ANSWERANSWER
Advanced mathematics was critical to the development of the Mayan calendar. The Maya needed a system of mathematics to record celestial movements over the years, to handle large numbers, and to calculate the solar and lunar year with great precision.
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End of Section 2
Possible Response:
In the Valley of Mexico, the Aztecs emerge in the 1200s, building on the foundations of earlier cultures. They conquer neighboring states to create the largest empire in Mesoamerica. By the 1500s, the empire begins to unravel.
OverviewOverview AssessmentAssessment
Key Idea
The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
3HOME
Through alliances and conquest, the Aztecs created a powerful empire in Mexico.
This time period saw the origins of one of the 20th century’s most populous cities, Mexico City.
Overview
AssessmentAssessment
• obsidian
• Quetzalcoatl
• Triple Alliance
• Montezuma II
The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
3
MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW
TERMS & NAMES
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3
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Describe the main events that led to the establishment and growth of the Aztec Empire.
Section 3 Assessment
continued . . .
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The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
Arrive in Valley of Mexico
Build Tenochtitlan
Form the Triple Alliance
Conquer many lands
3
Section 3 Assessment
ANSWERANSWER
• Demands for victims for sacrifice aroused the hatred of the conquered peoples.
• The goal of the army was to capture their enemies, not kill them.
• After a time, a number of provinces rebelled against Aztec rule.
Possible Responses:
2. How did the Aztec need for victims for sacrifice lead to problems controlling the empire? THINK ABOUT
• reactions of the conquered peoples • changes in army tactics
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The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
End of Section 3
In the Peruvian Andes, the Inca in the 1400s establish the largest empire in the Americas. They create a highly controlled economy and an official religion. In the early 1500s, civil war weakens the empire.
OverviewOverview AssessmentAssessment
Key Idea
The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
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The Inca built a vast empire supported by taxes, governed by a bureaucracy, and linked by extensive road systems.
The Inca system of government was similar to some socialist govern-ments in the 20th century.
Overview
AssessmentAssessment
• Pachacuti
• ayllu
• mita
• quipu
The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
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MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW
TERMS & NAMES
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GRAPH MAP
The Inca built a vast empire, which was largely unified
under their control.
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Explain the methods the Inca used to build a vast empire and unify it under their control.
The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
4
continued . . .
Section 4 Assessment
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Subject peoples kept their rulers and
customs.
Empire’s units ruled by central
Bureaucracy
Economic activity controlled Extensive road
system built Single official
language used
Incan schools founded
Incan cities built in conquered lands
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Section 4 Assessment
ANSWERANSWER
2. Why do you think the Inca used the ayllu system as the basis for governing the people of the empire? THINK ABOUT
• ways to control a large empire • the ease of using a system that already existed
The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
4
• The system was already in place.
• It allowed the Inca to organize thousands of people into manageable units.
• People viewed it as a traditional practice.
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continued . . .
Possible Responses:
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3. What were advantages and disadvantages of the Incan welfare state?
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The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
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4 Assessment
ANSWERANSWER
• Advantages: All people cared for during good and bad times; offered stability
• Disadvantages: High taxes, forced labor for the state, no private economic activity, limited opportunity for advancement, less freedom
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End of Section 4
GRAPH MAP
Possible Responses: