Central American Societies

Transcription

1 Central American Societies

2 EARLY MESOAMERICANS

3 Area of central Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula, and northern Honduras Mesoamerica

4 The Olmec First known civilization in Mesoamerica Emerge 1200 BCE Collapse in 400 BCE Not much is known about the Olmec Modern-day did not know they existed until 1860s

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6 Olmec Culture Olmec are known for their sculptures Built pyramids and large cities First hieroglyphic language in the Americas Economic focus was put on trade

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11 Olmec Decline Last big city collapses about 400 BCE Two theories They were conquered by another civilization They destroyed their own civilization after their leaders died

12 Olmec Legacy Religious practices are linked to the Mayan Jaguar worship Temple building Class structure Elite ruling class

13 Zapotec Civilization Emerged at the end of the Olmec Show some traces of the Olmec Located southwest of the Olmec (Pacific) In 500 BCE they built a large city 25,000 residents

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16 Zapotec Culture Developed their own writing system and language Basis for Mayan and Aztec language 1 st to build large cities Developed the first calendar Based on the movement of the sun

17 Zapotec Decline Decline started in 600 CE Unknown why the civilization ended

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19 THE MAYA

20 Maya Earliest site dates to 2600 BCE Did not flourish as a civilization until 250 CE Rapid decline in the 1400s Before European explorers

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22 Mayan City-States 250 CE 900 CE Mayan built large cities Chichén Itzá was developed during this time 50 Major cities have been found

23 Chichén Itzá

24 Mayan Society Each city-state was independent from each other City-states traded with each other Salt, flint, feathers, shells, and honey Produced maize, beans, and squash

25 Polytheistic Mayan Religion Mayans made daily offerings to the gods to keep from chaos Food, flowers, and incense Known to practice human sacrifice

26 Math Mayans developed calendars and astronomy, and zero Calculated the solar year to days Most cities had an observatory

27 Mayan Calendar Two calendars in one 260-Day religious calendar Day Months 365-Day solar calendar Day Months 5 Day period at the end

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29 Written Language Hieroglyphic system 800 symbols Recorded much of their history 3 Books survive

30 Mysterious Maya Decline

31 Mayan Decline Theory 1. Around 700 CE the city-states started to fight each other 2. Warfare led to economic hardship and less trade 3. Environmental damages led to food shortages and famine 4. The Toltec people invaded from the north

32 Mayans The Mayan people existed when the Spanish arrived in small numbers Mayan people still exist today

33 CENTRAL MEXICAN CIVILIZATIONS

34 The Valley of Mexico Earliest inhabitants Site of Mexico City Teotihuacan was founded in 100 CE

35 Tay-oh-tee-wah-KAHN Located just outside of Mexico City In 500s CE 200,000 people lived in the city Center of major trade network

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38 Teotihuacan is Abandoned Around 750 CE the city is abandoned Possible causes Fighting amongst elite classes Invaded

39 Toltecs Emerge 900 CE the Toltecs rise to power in the Valley of Mexico Very war-like people War god demanded human sacrifice

40 Topiltzin Toltec ruler in 1000 CE Wanted to end human sacrifice Introduced Quetzalcoatl Feathered Serpent War hungry Toltecs forced him out of power

41 Quetzalcoatl Topiltzin and Quetzalcoatl became one in the legends of the people of the Valley of Mexico. After his exile, the god traveled east, crossing the sea on a raft of snakes. He would return one day, bringing light and peace.

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44 The Aztecs Emerge In 1200 CE the Toltec collapsed and the Aztec moved in Came from the north deserts of Mexico Known for being fierce warriors

45 Aztecs Found a City of Their Own Aztec god told them to start a new city They start a new city in Lake Texcoco

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48 Tenochtitlan Name of the Aztec capitol 400,000 people lived in the city Larger than London On one island connected by causeways

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50 Aztecs Gain Strength Aztecs grow an empire with a population between 5 and 15 million people Power based on military strength and tributes paid for protection

51 Aztec Nobles Nobles ruled over the commoners and slaves Very wealthy landowners with god-like power

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53 Religion Rules Aztec Lives Polytheistic (1000s of gods) They adopted other s gods Quetzalcoatl Feathered Serpent Pale skinned man with a beard

54 Sun God is Always Thirsty Huitzilopochtli made the sun rise everyday but only if his thirst was quenched Human blood was offered up daily for the sun god 1000s of captured people sacrificed every year Forced the Aztecs to conquer more and more people

55 Aztec Decline People got tired of being sacrificed and rebelled against Montezuma Small cities united together to fight the Aztec Spanish arrive and play the part of Quetzalcoatl Spanish convince the small cities to fight

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