Maya
What was the Sacred Round Calendar used for?
It was used to decide the best times to hold rituals and ceremonies.
Describe the Mayan social structure.
What did conquered tribes need to do under Aztec rule?
How did the Moche and Chimu tribes influence the Inca?
Built cities, canals, roads,
Created special classes for workers
Created a message system
What is quipu and what was it used for?
A rope with knots used to do math calculations
What did the Mayans borrow from the Olmec?
Who conquered the Aztec Empire?
Hernan Cortes
What is a conquistador?
Men who wore armor, rode horses, had guns/dogs
Where was the Inca empire located geographically? (Think current-day)
Current-day Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina
How were messages spread across the empire?
They used Chasquis, runners, who delivered messages across the empire.
How were marriages arranged?
How much food and clothing would go to woman’s family
How long the man would work for wife’s family
Who could interpret the Sacred Round?
Only priests could read the calendar.
What was Malintzin's role in the conquest of the Aztecs?
Malintzin translated between the Aztec and Spanish
Where was the Aztec empire located geographically? [think present-day]
Present-day Mexico City, region between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico
How did Pachacuti help build an empire?
Built a strong central government
Set up roads
Developed terrace farming
What is a city-state?
Independent cities with their own ruler, armies, and trade alliances.
Where was the Maya empire located geographically? [think present-day]
Spread across Mesoamerica: present-day southern Mexico, Belize, most of Guatemala, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador
What did the Spanish bring that helped them defeat the Aztecs?
They brought diseases like smallpox.
Describe the social structure of the Inca.
Emperor: descended from Sun God
Nobles:
Capac Inca- relatives of the emperor
Hahua Inca- did not share royal blood
Curacas- leaders of people Inca conquered
Commoners:
Skilled workers
Farmers, herders, soldiers
What were the Spanish explorers looking for when they arrived?
They were looking for the City of Gold.
What are possible reasons for the Mayan collapse?
How did the Aztec empire maintain their economy?
They collected tribute/taxes from cities.
Why did the Aztecs settle in the Valley of Mexico?
A priest saw an eagle on a cactus eating a snake
How was Atahualpa defeated? What was his interaction with Pizarro?
Pizarro set a trap where he captured Atahualpa, told him to fill cells with gold and silver, and then executed him
What advantages did Pizarro have over the Inca?
Better weapons
Pizarro knew a lot about the natives, they knew little about him