U1L4 - State-Building in the AMERICAS Flashcards
What was the Maya civilization?
-250 to 900 CE
-built urban centers
-they used concept of zero
-most sophisticated writing systems in Mesoamerica
What did the state buildings look like in the Maya civilization?
-The buildings looked like decentralized city-states that were constantly at war with each other
-Regions conquered by the Mayas remained independent but had to pay tribute to remain independent
What was the Mayan culture?
- Human sacrifices (ex: blood rituals)
When was the Aztec empire?
-1345 to 1528
How did the Aztec empire form?
- Mexica people (semi-nomadic people) traveled to the Americas and spent time building up their military power and marrying into more powerful families to become a more powerful civilization
- Mexica people migrated from the South
-By 1428, the Mexica people gained a lot of power to form the Aztec Empire
How did the Aztec empire show historical continuity between the Maya
-decentralized power with tribute system among states
-human sacrifice
How did the Aztec rulers claim legitimacy
Mexica claimed heritage in bloodline from older Mesoamerica people
What was special about Aztecs
-Tenochtitlan showed central power
-150-200 thousand people
-very commercialized, lots of trade
-palaces for rulers, pyramid temples
What was the Inca?
-Influenced by Wari, Andean civilizations
What was similar between Aztecs and Inca
-Both are outside people
-Both rose from military power
What was different between aztec and inca?
aztec - decentralized, depended on tribute system
inca - centralized, had a bureacracy
What process of people did Inca require?
Mita
What was mita?
-Required labor from all people to work on projects like mining or military service
What was in North America? What was it?
-Mississippian river valley
-powerful chiefs known as Great Sun which ruled each town
-HIERARCHICAL
-Cahokia
What was west to mississipii?
-Chaco and Mesa Verde
-Dry as hell
-They built structures under canyons and stored water
