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Question 1

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Mayan Civilization

Answer 1

In Mesoamerica, ruled from ~250-900 C.E. Large urban centers, most sophisticated writing system in Americas of their time. Advanced mathematics (concept of zero). Decentralized, warring, city-states. Expansion through tributary system using materials, textiles, weapons. Prominent human sacrifice to the sun deity who they believed required blood sacrifice to sustain the battle between evil and good.

Question 2

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Aztec Empire

Answer 2

In Mesoamerica. Ruled ~1345-1528. Established by the semi-nomadic peoples called the Mexica, who married strategically into powerful families and gained power. They made an alliance w/ 2 other states, forming the Aztec Empire with aggressive military expansion. Ruled w/ decentralized powers and tributary systems, with food, animals, and materials as tributes. Human sacrifice as a motivation for military expansion: war prisoners used for sacrifice for sun diety.
Justified power by claiming heritage to renowned Mesoamerican groups.
Capital city of Tenochtitlan: large population, commercialization and marketplaces, large structures (palaces and pyramids) possibly for power consolidation

Question 3

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Wari civilization

Answer 3

Andean civilization, collapsed ~1000 C.E.

Question 4

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Inca Empire

Answer 4

Andean civilization established in 15th century. Rapid expansion and power allocation through powerful military, w/ centralized government: large bureaucracy, labor payments from conquered peoples (Mit’a system, labor as military, public monument and mining jobs). Religion-centered political structure and advances roads and bridges in order to connect the empire across the Andes mountains.

Question 5

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Mississippian Culture

Answer 5

~8/9th century C.E. in Mississippi River Valley as the 1st large-scale civilization in North America. Fertile soil = farming economy. Chiefs (“Great Sun”) at top of political hierarchy ruled over each town and settlement.
Built large mounds as memorials, burial sites, location for religious ceremonies - common in the urban cities
Biggest mound in Cahokia (the largest urban center)

Question 6

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Chaco/Mesa Verde society

Answer 6

Established in west portion of modern-day U.S. Dry land required innovation for water transportation, and scarcity of trees led to lumber imports as well as the development of quarries to built structures that were impressively large. They’d sometimes use sandstone to carve houses into the sides of cliffs.