Geography of the Americas
In which region of the Americas do mountain chains run nearly the entire length?
the west
Which culture occupied the Yucatan Peninsula?
the Maya
What role did music play in the lives of the Maya?
Music was an important element of Maya celebrations.
What is tribute? What did conquered peoples get in return?
Money paid by conquered peoples to their conquerors.
They were supported by the Aztec ruler.
How did Pachacuti prefer to expand his empire? Explain.
Through peaceful methods. He first sent messengers to other rulers, inviting them to join his empire. He only used his army when rulers refused the invitation.
Which two mountain ranges are in western North America?
Rocky Mountains and Pacific coastal ranges
Where did American cultures first emerge?
in Mesoamerica along the western coast of South America
What challenges did the Maya face in the rain forest? What steps did they take to overcome these challenges?
Thick forests blocked the sun. Lots of insects lived there.
The Maya worked together to clear the forests; they planted crops and built cities.
What problem did the Aztec have with the land where they lived? How did they solve this problem?
The land was not well suited for farming.
They irrigated and fertilized their land.
Why would building terraces be useful for farming in mountainous regions?
Terraces create areas of small land for planting, and without the terraces, there would be less land available for growing crops.
How did the Amazon help early Americans?
it allowed early Americans to travel long distances by boat and provided food and water
Why do you think farming began in Mesoamerica rather than in other parts of the Americas?
Farming likely began there because the geography was better. The region has a mild climate and rich soil from nearby volcanoes, so it was probably easier to grow crops there than in any other part of the Americas.
What were some of the significant achievements of the Maya?
developing calendars and mathematical concepts, understanding and using the concept of zero, developing a written language
Why did the Aztecs choose Montezuma I to be their leader?
He was a skillful warrior who could help expand the Aztec Empire, its cities, and its transportation networks.
How did the idea that the sun God protected rulers influence the lives of other Inca?
This idea allowed the emperors to control the lives of their subjects, own all of the land, and set rules for growing crops and distributing food.
What are the two ways early people might have migrated to the Americas?
over a land bridge between Asia and North America or by boat along the Pacific coast of North America
Why might early American cultures have declined?
they may have declined because of drought, revolts, or an exhaustion of natural resources
How did the Maya hope to solve the problem of drought?
What were core values of Aztec society? Were women equal to men in Aztec society? Explain.
The glories of war and the duties of being an Aztec
They were not equal to men, but they could own and inherit property.
Research suggests that Machu Picchu was used for what purpose? What does the existence of a complex city such as Machu Picchu tell us about the Inca?
It was used as a home for the royal family and a center for celebrations.
This suggests that the Inca were an advanced, organized society. They must have been particularly good with mathematics.
What is one common feature of the Great Plains and the Pampas?
they both have fertile soil for farming and raising cattle
What did the Hohokam and the Anasazi need to cultivate crops? How did each group deal with this need?
They both needed water.
The Hohokam dug hundreds of miles of irrigation canals to bring river water to their crops.
The Anasazi directed water that ran off the cliffs into canals which carried it to their fields.
Likely an increase in conflict, warfare, illness, starvation
What did the Aztec need to see in order to know where to build their capital city?
an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth
What were the advantages and disadvantages of joining the Inca Empire?
Advantages: being part of the largest empire in the Americas; having a strong central government, a detailed infrastructure, and advanced farming practices
Disadvantages: having to work for the government, being at the mercy of divine rulers, being forced into military service