Chapter 7: Civilizations of the Americas

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Geography: The Americas – 30,000 years ago, small family groups of Paleolithic hunters and good gatherers reached North America from Asia.

– Great Migration…last ice age • Water froze…sea level dropped exposed a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska.

– 10,000 BC…Earth grew warmer..ice melted…covering the land bridge

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Geography: The Americas – North America • The Rocky Mountains – Middle (Central) America • • East Sierra Madre West Sierra Madre – South America • Andes

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Agricultural Revolution – Farming may have been a response to the disappearance of large mammals.

– Had to cultivate the land and domesticate the animals.

– Farming people settled into villages…population expanded and developed into cities.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Legacy of the Olmecs – Tropical forests along the Mexican Gulf Coast 1400-500 BC – Very little known…but rich tombs and temples point towards a powerful class of priests and aristocrats.

– Built ceremonial centers – Giant carved heads – Calendar

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • The World of the Mayas – AD 300-900 – Farmers cleared the forests and built raised fields that caught the rain.

– Tikal (Present-day Guatemala) • Wealth was gained from trade • Largest structures in the Americas until 1903 (Flatiron building)

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Social Classes – Each Mayan city had its own ruling chief.

– Surrounded by nobles who served as military leaders and officials who managed public works, collected taxes, and enforced laws.

– Priests held great power • Elaborate ceremonies to ensure good harvests.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Advances in Learning – Hieroglyphic writing system – Scribes kept their knowledge in books made of bark – Developed two calendars – Developed a numbering system that included zero.

– Mayan Ball Game (Pg. 161) • Video

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • The Decline – A.D. 900 the Mayans abandoned the cities.

– Not sure on the exact reason but maybe… • Frequent warfare • • Overpopulation…over farming the land Heavy taxes…peasant revolts

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • The Valley of Mexico – Teotihuacān (A.D. 100 750) • Well planned, wide roads, massive temples, and large apartment buildings.

• Citizens worshipped a powerful nature goddess and rain god.

• Eventually fell to invaders.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Arrival of the Aztecs – – Moved in from the North Tenochtitlān (Present day Mexico City) – Chinampas: Artificial islands made of earth that would float on water.

• Video

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Conquering an Empire – Expanded their territory – Over most of Mexico (Gulf – Pacific) – By 1500: 30 million people – Tribute: Payment from conquered peoples.

• Helped the Aztecs turn their capital into a magnificent city.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • The World of the Aztecs – Spanish reached Tenochtitlān in 1519 and Cortēs was awestruck with its magnificence.

– Geography & History (pg. 163)

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Government and Society (Aztecs) – Had a single ruler who was chosen by a council of nobles and priests to lead in war.

– Below the ruler, nobles served as officials, judges, and governors of conquered provinces.

– Warriors could rise to noble status by killing or capturing enemy soldiers – Commoners farmed the land – Slaves (criminals or POW) could buy their freedom and land.

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Religious Beliefs – Were a class apart – Performed rituals needed to please the man Aztec gods.

– Chief Aztec god was Huitzilopochtli (sun god) • Giant pyramid • Battled forces of darkness each night and was reborn each morning.

• Legend of the Five Suns (pg. 158) – Human Sacrifices

Section 1: Civilizations of Middle America • Education and Learning – Priests were the keepers of Aztec knowledge • Recorded laws and historical events • Ran schools • Illness was a punishment from the gods

Section 2: The World of the Incas

• • Read aloud in class Group guides (Due FRIDAY!) – Geography – Government – Communication – Economy – Religion – Chosen Women

Section 3: Peoples of North America

The Desert Southwest: Anasazi

• • • 4 corners AD 900-1300 Built large villages (later called pueblos) – – – – Complex with 800 rooms Terraces served as roads Center was the plaza Kiva: Large underground chamber used for religious ceremonies.

• • Attacked by Navajos & Apaches Traditions survived among the Hopi & other Pueblo Indians

Section 3: Peoples of North America •

The Mound Builders

Mississippi & Ohio Valleys farming cultures emerged as early as 700 BC – – Adena & Hopewell (Ohio Valley) • Build mounds Mississippians built clusters of earthen mounds • • Cahokia (Illinois) Left no written records

Section 3: Peoples of North America • Diverse Regional Cultures – Iroquois League: An alliance of five nations who spoke the same language and shared similar traditions.

Group Assignment

• Culture Pamphlet – Tri-fold – Pictures & Information – You will be graded on how it looks!!

– Imagine that this pamphlet will be handed out at a historical Native American Indian site.