Society & Daily Life
Which civilization used knotted cords to keep records and share information?
The Inca
What geographic feature did the Aztec build their capital on?
Lake Texcoco
Where was the Maya civilization located?
Yucatán Peninsula / Guatemala
The Inca lived in which major mountain range?
Andes
What type of farming did the Inca use on mountains?
Terraces
Which group in Aztec society made up the largest portion of the population and worked as farmers and laborers?
Commoners
Name TWO advantages of Tenochtitlan’s lake location.
Defense, trade, fertile soil, transportation
Name TWO important Maya achievements.
Astronomy, calendar, hieroglyphics, pyramids (any 2)
What was the title of the Inca ruler who was believed to be a god-king?
Sapa Inca
Why was Mesoamerican soil good for early farming?
Volcanic + fertile
What role did religion play in determining who held power in Maya city-states?
Maya kings claimed divine approval and worked closely with priests, using religion to justify their authority and control society.
The Aztec built floating gardens called what?
Chinampas
How did Maya astronomy affect daily life beyond timekeeping? (Name TWO areas)
It guided religious ceremonies AND farming/planting cycles.
Which record-keeping tool did the Inca use?
quipus
Which civilization relied on tribute for wealth and goods? AND How did Aztec tribute help their economy grow?
Aztec and Brought in goods + wealth
Explain how the Inca government used social organization to maintain control over a large and diverse empire.
The Inca strictly controlled social classes, assigned jobs, required labor service, used state planning, and enforced obedience through centralized authority and communication systems.
Which urban engineering feature allowed Tenochtitlan to expand despite being built on a lake?
Causeways and canals
What type of political structure did the Maya have, and what does this mean?
They were organized into city-states, meaning each city had its own ruler and government.
The Inca used relay runners called ______ to carry messages. Why are they important?
Chaskis. To deliver Fast messages + military movement → unity
How did religion influence government in either the Aztec OR Inca civilization?
Aztec: Religious authority supported rulers; human sacrifice reinforced power
OR
Inca: Sapa Inca claimed to be a descendant of the sun god, giving him divine authority
Compare how the Aztec and Inca used social structure to support their economies and political power.
The Aztec used tribute from conquered people to gain wealth and power, while the Inca controlled labor and resources through the government to strengthen their empire.
How did Montezuma I’s public works support a growing empire?
Dike managed floods → protected crops → stable food supply
How did Pakal’s long rule affect Palenque’s growth?
He built temples/aqueducts → strengthened religion + population
How did Huayna Capac’s death help the Spanish conquer the Inca?
Civil war → division → some groups supported Spain
Compare how the geography of the Maya and Inca influenced their farming methods. (How were they different?)
Maya farmed in tropical lowlands using basic agriculture;
Inca farmed in mountains using terraces to grow crops on steep slopes.