Geography of the Americas
What modern day country are the Aztecs from?
Mexico
Instead of taking over areas the Aztec demanded what from conquered peoples?
They demanded tribute; a payment to a more powerful empire.
What did the Maya believe the cenote were a connection to?
They believed that the cenote were a direct connection to the underworld
Define Mita
A government labor tax
What was the name of the Incas final leader? What year were they conquered?
Atahualpa, 1537
What region did the Aztec live in? What was their capital?
Mesoamerica and Tenochtitlan
What were Aztec history books called?
A codex or codices
Besides the King, who made up the Maya upper class?
Priests, warriors and merchants.
What did the Inca use llamas for? (Hint there were 4 different uses)
Transport, food, and clothing, as well as sacrifice
What was the name of the conquistador that attacked the Inca empire?
Francisco Pizzaro
What region did the Inca live in? What was their captial?
Andes Mountains, Cusco
How did the Aztec adapt their capital for better transportation?
They built causeways connecting their islands to the main land.
What types of material did the Maya use to make their weapons and tools? (Hint 3 different materials)
Obsidian, wood, and stone
What language did the Inca speak?
Quechua
What year did the Spanish conquer the Aztec? What was the name of their final leader?
1521, and Moctezuma II
What region did the Maya live in? Name two major Maya cities.
Yucatan Peninsula or Mesoamerica;
Tikal, Palenque, Chichen Itza, Calakmul, etc..
Describe Chinampas and why they were so important for the Aztec?
Chinampas are floating gardens used for farming becuase the Aztec had no land to farm on.
What is the major theory as to why the Maya collapsed?
The major theory is climate change or environmental change, most likely a drought.
What was the Inca Leader's title?
The Son of the Sun
What factors helped the Spanish defeat the Aztec and Inca empires?
Guns, disease and steel weapons/armor
Name 4 of the 5 modern countries the Maya live in today?
Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador
Approximately how many people lived in Tenochtitlan when the Spanish arrived?
Approx. 200,000 people
Name the book that contains all the legends and history of the Maya?
The Popul Vuh
Name two of the four modern countries that Inca lived in?
Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile
Who was Malintzin?What did she do for Hernan Cortes?
She was a native translator who helped Cortes unify the Aztec's enemies