Mesoamerica Geography
What are conquistadors?
Spanish conquerors
What linked different parts of the Aztec city?
Canals
In addition to irrigation systems, what did the Nazca people create?
cisterns
What is the name of the big goofy guy that helps Yzma (the old evil lady) on Emperors New Groove?
Kronk
What helped fertilize Maya fields and influence Maya civilization?
Volcanoes
What motivated Hernan Cortez and the Spanish?
To find gold.
Where did Aztecs settle and begin building their empire?
Lake Texcoco
What were pyramids made out of?
adobe
How did the Inca unify their empire?
Used an official language, Quechua
Why did Maya villages begin to grow?
Trade increased.
What similar issue did most all early societies in South America deal with?
drought or deserts
Aztecs ruled much of central Mexico from which important city?
Tenochtitlan
What did the Spanish do to the Aztec and Maya books and religious artifacts?
destroyed them
What key decision did Pizzaro make to ensure the Inca would not fight back against the Spanish?
Kill Atahualpa
Who held the highest position in Maya society?
What class included farmers, artisans, and servants?
Lower class
How did the Aztecs overcome geographic challenges?
grew crops on floating gardens called chinampas
The Olmec are responsible for building the first of something in America. What did they build?
Pyramids
How did Atahualpa insult the Spanish in their first meeting?
Threw a religious book on the ground.
When did the "Classic Age" begin for the Maya?
AD 250
What capital city did Francisco Pizarro found?
Lima, Peru
Which three factors contributed to the Aztec's Empire growing strong and rich?
tribute payments
trade among people
fierce warriors
They developed the first complex civilization in Mesoamerica.
The Olmec
Where was the Inca Empire located? (Geographically, not the name.)
West coast of South America
3 groups of people who made up the upper class in Maya society.
Priests, Noble Warriors, Rich Merchants.