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1. What kind of people were the first to arrive in the Americas?
Hunters-gatherers.
6. What was the period in which the Maya spread throughout the Yucatan Peninsula known as?
The Classic Maya – 250-900
5. What crop helped establish a reliable food source for the early people in Mesoamerica?
Maize (or corn)
16. What factors helped the Spaniards conquer the Aztecs?
Alliances,
weapons and horses,
geography, and disease.
22. Who was the leader of the Spanish conquistadors who invaded and conquered the Inca Empire?
Francisco Pizzaro. (p. 425)
2. Where is Mesoamerica?
Mesoamerica is a region that includes the southern part of what is now Mexico and parts of the northern countries of Central America. (p. 384)
11. What were the two main purposes for which Mayan calendars were used?
To plan for religious events and to plan for planting and harvesting (p. 398)
12. What significant mathematical concept did the Maya help develop?
The concept of zero (p. 398)
19. In what region of South America did the first Inca live?
The Andes mountains. (p. 423)
24. For what purpose was the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu built?
It was a royal retreat for Inca rulers.
3. What is the most accepted theory as to how the first people arrived in the Americas?
The most accepted theory is that people from Asia walked across the Bering land bridge. (p. 386)
9. What caused the collapse of the Maya civilization? (list all possible theories)
Warfare
Competition for food.
Rebellion against harsh kings.
Climate change/drought
(p. 394)
8. What sport did the Maya learn from the Olmec?
The ball game (p. 392)
17. What role did human sacrifices play in Aztec society?
The Aztec believed that sacrifices would keep the gods strong and make the world safe. (p. 419)
23. Why were the mummies of former Inca kings treated with such respect?
They believed that their kings were related to the sun god and that they never really died. (p. 429)
4. What impact did learning to plant seeds and farm have on the lives of early Americans?
By growing their own food, settlements could support larger populations. (p. 387)
13. What were key factors in the rise of the Aztec Empire?
War, tribute, and trade. (p. 410)
10. What important religious ability did the Maya believe their kings had?
They believed their kings communicated with the gods.
21. What event weakened the Inca Empire and led to the eventual conquest by the Spaniards?
A civil war between Atahualpa and Huascar. (p. 425)
25. How were Inca stories passed on to future generations?
The Inca passed down stories and songs orally. (p. 431)
15. What prompted Moctezuma II to welcome Hernan Cortes?
Moctezuma believed that Cortes was a god. (p. 413)
18. Who in Aztec society was responsible for keeping track of the calendars?
The priests (p. 417)
14. What were the Aztec floating gardens called?
Chinampas. (p. 412)
20. Which Inca ruler led a great expansion of the empire and established an official religion?
Pachacuti
Who is the greatest teacher of all time?
Mr Machuca duh