inca empire
Where did the Inca civilization originate, and how did they manage conquered peoples?
The Inca civilization originated in the Peruvian highlands of the Andes mountains in the 13th century and, unlike the Maya and Aztec, they incorporated conquered peoples into an organized central empire.
What was the Aztec Empire, and how did it expand?
The Aztec Empire was a three-city military confederacy led primarily by the Mexica people from their city-state of Tenochtitlan, which expanded through military force to conquer and incorporate defeated peoples after their migration to the Valley of Mexico in the 13th century.
Who were the Maya, and where did they establish their civilization?
The Maya were a Mesoamerican people who established a series of city-states in the Yucatán Peninsula and the regions of modern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
How did the Inca maintain a functional and wealthy empire despite lacking the wheel and written language?
The Inca maintained a functional and wealthy empire through their impressive system, including a network of centralized roads, temples, and other structures, and their imperial capital of Cusco, which housed a massive Temple to the Sun King.
How did the Aztec Empire manage its conquered territories?
Unlike many other military empires, including the Inca, the Aztec Empire did not set up local administrations but instead focused on collecting tributes from conquered tribes, many of whom were enslaved.
how were the Maya organized, and when did their civilization end?
The Maya were not a united people and did not have a centralized organization, but their cultural contributions and state structures date back to around 2000 BCE, lasting until the fall of the last Maya city, Nojpetén, to Spain in 1697 CE.
How did the Inca keep records without a written language?
The Inca used quipus, a system of knot-based records, to track information such as birth certificates, death certificates, and property records, allowing them to manage the people and resources within their empire.
How was the Aztec military characterized, and what were some of their practices?
The Aztec military was unmatched in strength and known for its brutality, using tributes for slavery and ritual human sacrifices, which they believed were necessary to prevent the apocalypse.
What are some of the notable contributions of the Maya civilization?
The Maya civilization is known for its iconic step pyramid design, advanced manufactured goods like jade and pottery, astrology and astrological calendars, a sophisticated written language system, and advanced mathematics.
What was the Mit'a system in the Inca Empire?
The Mit'a system was a state-run work program that organized the Inca and their conquered peoples into specific labor forces, requiring mandatory labor to construct roads, temples, bridges, fortifications, and agricultural terraces.
What cultural features did the Aztec maintain from earlier Mesoamerican civilizations?
The Aztec maintained many Mesoamerican cultural features, including step pyramids, blood rituals, and ball sports.
What are some of the local practices continued by the Maya civilization?
The Maya civilization continued several local practices, including tribute collection, slavery, and religious human sacrifice.
What types of projects were carried out through the Inca's Mit'a system?
The Mit'a system required mandatory labor to construct essential infrastructure, including roads, temples, bridges, fortifications, and agricultural terraces.
What led to the decline of the Aztec Empire?
The Aztec Empire flourished under rulers like Montezuma II but declined due to the introduction of European diseases in the 15th and 16th centuries, along with internal power disputes and rebellions from conquered Mesoamerican peoples.
How were the Spanish able to defeat the Aztec Empire despite having only a few hundred soldiers?
The Spanish were able to defeat the Aztec Empire not only through their own military tactics but also because of the weakening of Aztec numbers due to disease, and the support of many American Indians in the region who were eager to overthrow their brutal Aztec overlords.