Mesoamerica

Geography

100

What were the two major regions that Mesoamerica was divided into? 

Highlands, Lowlands 

200

Agricultural technique used in the lowlands:

Slash-and-burn agriculture 

300

Agricultural technique sometimes used in the highlands:

Irrigation systems 

400

These three crops were known as the "Three Sisters"

Maize (corn), squash, and beans 

500

What was unique about the cocoa crop?

It was used a form of trade/currency in addition to food, indicating a form of economic structure 

Olmec

100

What was the Olmec civilization referred to as?

Mother Culture 

200

Most important god to the Olmec civilization

Jaguar god

300

What did the giant 20 ton stone head sculptures represent to the Olmec civilization 

Rulers/kings, power, intimidation, memorials 

400

When did the Olmec civilization roughly begin? 

1200 B.C.E

500

Major cities within the Olmec civilization: (3)

San Lorenzo, La Venta, and Tres Zapotes 

Zapotec

100

Which valley did the Zapotec civilization develop in?

Oaxaca Valley

200

Early settlement of the Zapotec civilization BEFORE moving upon a mountain top: 

San Jose Mogote 

300

When did the Zapotec move their civilization upon Monte Alban?

500 B.C.E.

400

What structures were included upon Monte Alban? (4)

Pyramids, Palaces, Plazas, and an Astronomical Observatory 

500

What were carved into the mountains' sides for easier farming and future construction? 

Terraces 

Maya

100

The Maya developed into these rather than forming a unified empire:

Independent city-states 

200

The Maya believed their King was chosen by:

The gods

300

Mayan cities were centered around a large:

Plaza 

400

Achievements credited to the Maya (4):

Developed (independently) the concept of zero, used advanced place value system, accurately tracked sun, moon, planets, and stars, created an accurate 365 day calendar

500

Fill in the blanks: The Maya used a writing system of symbols called: _______. They were able to record their history on stone slabs called __________. They also created art that reflected ______ _____ and was used as a _______ ________ on murals. 

glyphs, stelae, daily life, primary/historical source

Aztec

100

Tenochtitlan was built on islands in: 

Lake Texcoco

200

Due to agricultural drawbacks, the Aztec created these in place of farmland:

Chinampas 

300

Name the three civilizations that were apart of the Triple Alliance and which of the three grew the most powerful?

Texcoco, Tlacopan, Tenochtitlan 

400

Due to the Aztec empire's size, they required conquered areas to pay a: 

Tribute 

500

Name the events that led to the eventual fall of the Aztec Empire: (3)

Arrival of Spanish conquistadors/use of advanced weapons, disease, angry civilizations who were forced to pay tribute/left over alliances