Georaphy and Civilizations
What region did the Inca civilization occupy?
Western edge/southwestern coast of South America (Andes region).
From which earlier culture did the Maya inherit many ideas and cultural elements?
Olmec.
What was the name of the Aztec capital city built on an island in a lake?
Tenochtitlan.
What is the title of the Inca emperor?
Sapa Inca.
In Maya society, who made up the backbone of the population (which social group did most people belong to)?
Peasants (farmers).
What farming method did the Maya use to grow crops on hills and mountains?
Terrace farming.
What type of writing system did the Maya use (inherited or adapted from earlier peoples)?
Hieroglyphic (a glyph-based writing system).
What advanced water system helped Tenochtitlan supply fresh water to its people?
Aqueducts
What type of farming did the Inca build into mountain slopes to grow crops?
Terrace farming.
What group of people did many early Aztecs start as, before building an empire (they moved and hunted for food)?
Nomadic hunter-gatherers.
What is the agricultural practice called when people cut and burn forest land to farm?
Slash-and-burn agriculture.
Around what year did the classic Maya collapse in many cities?
Around 900 CE.
Which people did the Aztecs defeat in 1428 to expand their power (name the group they defeated to form a Triple Alliance)?
Tepanecs (leading to the Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan).
What crops were especially important to the Inca diet? Name at least two.
Potatoes and quinoa (also maize).
Who were trained as soldiers in Aztec society — males or females?
Aztec males.
Name two staple crops grown across Mesoamerican civilizations that supported large populations.
Corn (maize) and beans (also squash).
Who held the highest political authority in many Maya city-states (title of the ruler)?
Halach Uinic (king) or ruling king.
What was the central feature of Aztec society and daily life that shaped politics and culture?
Warfare and Religion
How did the Inca economy operate instead of using markets and money (what system did they use)?
Internal redistribution (state-managed redistribution of goods, labor obligations).
What religious practice did conquered peoples often have to do for the Aztecs besides pay tribute?
Honor Aztec gods or accept Aztec religious practices (and pay tribute).
Explain how geography (mountains, valleys, or lakes) influenced the development of Tenochtitlan or Inca cities.
Tenochtitlan was built on a lake (Lake Texcoco) and used causeways/aqueducts; the Inca built terraces and roads to cope with steep Andean slopes.
Describe two major achievements of the Maya in science or technology (give specific examples).
advanced calendar and astronomy; mathematics including the concept of zero; monumental architecture (pyramids).
How did the Aztecs organize conquered city-states — what did those city-states have to do for the empire?
City-states had to pay tribute, promise loyalty, and often provide goods or captives.
Name two major engineering accomplishments of the Inca (related to transportation or construction).
Roads and bridges; stone masonry without mortar (terraces, suspension bridges).
What were kin-based groups among the Inca called (the basic social units responsible for cooperation)?
Ayllu.