Post-Classical Mesoamerican Post-Classical Mesoamerican SocietiesSocieties

QuestionQuestion

• What do we mean by the term “Mesoamerica”?• From Central Mexico to Honduras and

Nicaragua

Mesoamerican Post-Classical Mesoamerican Post-Classical Societies Societies

• Mayans (Pre-classical - 8th c.)• Toltecs (8th c. - 1150 CE)• Aztecs (1325-1521): defeated by Hernan

Cortes & local tribes• Incas (1438 - 1532) : defeated by

Francisco Pizarro & local tribes

Areas of the Aztec and Mayan Empires

Aztecs: Culture/Gov’tAztecs: Culture/Gov’t

• Advanced Cities - Tenochtitlan• Advanced Agriculture - Chinampas• Religion - polytheistic; male and female deities;

creator gods, fertility gods and gods of warfare and sacrifice

• Treatment of Conquered Territories - take land and pay taxes through food

• State-controlled economy

Aztecs: Social StructureAztecs: Social Structure

• Social Structure - more hierarchical over time

• Status of Women - work in fields; keep the household; weaving; elders trained younger girls; arranged marriages; could inherit property

The IncaThe Inca

The IncasThe Incas

• Origins - one of many tribes fighting for power in the Andes Mtns

• Empire known as “Twantinsuyu”

• 9-13 million people

The IncasThe Incas• Conquest

– Economic Gain (conquered peoples expected to provide work [mita], not necessarily tribute)

– Political Power (needed to expand in order to secure palace, land/wealth) [due to Split Inheritance]

• Religion– Ancestor Worship– Mummification

Government and PoliticsGovernment and Politics• Leader considered a godlike figure – Theocratic

– Capital in Cuzco– Organized Society into early form of Socialism (state provides/you work)

• Self Sufficient communities• Four provinces ruled by governor• Nobles in bureaucracy

– Local rulers [Curacas] could keep power if they were loyal– Local leaders did not have to pay tribute

• Unified language Quechua (not written, however)• Public works - roads, Irrigation• Split Inheritance

– All political power and titles of the ruler went to his successor

– Palaces, wealth is divided amongst male descendants

Cultural AchievementsCultural Achievements• Art – Metallurgy (bronze, gold,

silver), pottery• Nobles distinguished by dress &

jewelry (orejones = ‘big ears’)• Math – counting system (quipo)• Infrastructure was greatest

achievement– Roads– Public buildings – (Tambos = Waystations)– Terraced farming

Economic Economic AchievementsAchievements

• Socialist System allowed communities to be self-sufficient

• Trade was far less important in the Andean Valley societies

Aztecs v. IncasAztecs v. Incas• Similar

– Intensive Agriculture– State Controlled Economy– Strong Imperial Militaries– More complicated social

system develops over time– Bureaucracy of Nobility

(family-controlled)– Recognize local ethnic groups– Both were established by

conquering settled agricultural societies

– Both engaged in human sacrifice

• Different– Geography (Mesoamerica v.

Andes Mountains)– Aztec – more developed trade – Writing systems, use for metal

differed– Aztec - lasted longer– Incas had a very diverse

culture (more than 500 languages)

– Incas were highly organized/centralized

Summary: While there are some differences, there are many similarities, origins, political development

Aztec/Inca QuestionsAztec/Inca Questions• 1). How does the geography of the Aztec world impact its

development?• 2). Which of the two societies would you say is more

warlike? Why?• 3). How does the geography of the Incan world impact its

development?• 4). Explain three of the advances made by the

Amerindian societies.• 5). Explain the fall of either the Incan or Aztec society.

What are two causes of the fall and what was the final blow to the society that brought its destruction?