OLMEC & MAYA
Q: Which early civilization influenced the Maya, Aztec, and Inca?
A: The Olmec
Q: In what modern-day country did the Aztec build their empire?
A: Mexico
Q: On what continent did the Inca build their empire?
A: South America
Q: What word means a highly developed society?
A: Civilization
Q: What important resource allowed Olmec people to become builders, artists, and engineers instead of everyone farming?
A: Extra/surplus food
Q: What type of environment did the Maya live in?
A: Hot, steamy rain forests
Q: What sign told the Aztec where they should settle?
A: An eagle on a cactus with a snake in its beak
Q: What was the capital of the Inca Empire?
A: Cuzco
Q: What is a government run by religious leaders called?
A: Theocracy
Q: What European disease killed large numbers of Aztec people?
A: Smallpox
Q: What was the name of the largest Mayan city mentioned in the reading?
Tikal
Q: What was the Aztec capital city called?
A: Tenochtitlán
Q: What did Inca runners carry along their huge road system?
A: Messages
Q: What Maya writing system used pictures and symbols?
A: Hieroglyphics
Q: Who led the Spanish soldiers into Tenochtitlan in 1519?
A: Hernán Cortés
Q: What 365-day system did the Maya create by studying the sky?
A: A calendar
Q: What did the Aztec build to connect their island city to the shore?
A: Causeways
Q: What did the Inca use instead of writing to keep records?
A: Quipu
Q: What are flat, step-like platforms cut into hillsides for farming?
A: Terraces
Q: About how many miles of stone-paved roads did the Inca build?
A: More than 10,000 miles
Q: Name TWO possible reasons Mayan cities declined.
A: Any two: drought, exhausted soil, warfare/revolt, or trade disruption
Q: Name TWO advantages that helped the Spanish defeat the Aztec.
A: Any two: Aztec rivals helping the Spanish, disease/smallpox, steel swords, guns, or horses
Q: How did the Inca make farming easier in steep mountains?
A: They built terraces—flat, step-like platforms cut into hillsides.
Q: What is a large group of territories or peoples controlled by one ruler or government?
A: Empire
Q: What THREE major problems contributed to the collapse of the Inca Empire?
A: Civil war, disease, and Spanish conquest