Toltecs , Incas, Aztecs toltecs - PowerPoint Presentation

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Toltecs, Incas, Aztecs

toltecs

Moved into southern Mexico from north around time of Mayan collapse

Took over and expanded Mayan centers

Built capital city of Tula using Mayan architectural and construction techniques

Developed impressive metal-working industry

Specialized in jewelry

Established trade network which stretched into northern South America

Civilization flourished for around 100 years

Empire eventually fragmented into small states, constantly fighting among themselves

Aztecs

Also known as

Mexicas

Originally a nomadic tribe from north

Looking for “promised land”

Found it in 1325 AD on island in middle of Lake

Texcoco

in central Mexico

Built capital city on island

Tenochtitl

án

Rich mud of island home ideally suited for agriculture

Produced abundant crops

Standard of living increased dramatically

Were in high demand as mercenaries in wars between post-Toltec states

Rose rapidly

Stepped into power vacuum and took over much of central and coastal Mexico and northern Central America

Tenochtitlan

Grew wealthy from tribute from conquered territoryTurned city into magnificent placeCanals served as arteries of transportationAqueduct system for fresh water and sophisticated waste removal systemHuge temples and placesBrightly colored art

Aztec Religion

Two sets of godsNature godsWorshipped by farmersHad shape of the item the god controlledGreat gods of stateUsually portrayed as half human/half animal or as monsterChief god was HuitzilopochtliGod of the sun

Human Sacrifice

Believed that the world had passed through four previous stages (“suns”)Each one destroyed by catastropheTo prevent destruction of fifth “sun”, Huitzilopochtli had to be appeasedBy feeding him human heartsAztecs therefore sacrificed victims by ripping out their hearts and holding them up for Huitzilopochtli to symbolically eat

How often did sacrifice take place

Spanish claimed that sacrifice was performed on a daily basis and that thousands were sacrificed on religious holidaysHistorians have used this information to argue that it was the need to get victims that motivated Aztec conquests and their harsh legal codeOthers claim Spanish exaggerated number of sacrifices to justify their conquest and destruction of Aztec civilization

Aztecs Decline

Spanish conquistador, Hernando Cortez, destroyed Aztec civilization in 1519Very tragic actWiped out a rich and vigorous culture off the face of the mapEnormous loss to all civilized human beings

Incas

South American Indian tribeKnown for their military Social structure very strictInca- head ruler and his wives were supreme head of stateHigh priest and Army commander came nextmerchants and artisans came nextEveryone else: who had no rights

Record keeping

A khipu consists, minimally, of a main cord from which pendant cords hang. (Pendants of pendants are called subsidiaries.) Knots tied in the pendant cords and other modifications of the pendant are the commonest data-bearing or significant features. Inka functionaries used cord records for censuses, inventories, tribute records, and documents about transactions; Spanish courts also accepted them as documents of record in early colonial times.

Agriculture

The comprehension of how irrigation can benefit agriculture is evident by the expansion into the highland areas.

They developed drainage systems and canals to expand their crop resources.

Potatoes, tomatoes, cotton, peanuts and coca were among the many crops grown by the Inca.

Llama were used for meat and transportation.

There was more than enough resources available for everyone.

Cuzco-

Capital city of the Inca

Macchu

Picchu-

The site of Machu Picchu was not discovered by the Spanish during the Conquest. In fact, it wasn't known to the outside world until 1911 when an American Archeologist, Hiram Bingham, made the steep climb to a lofty saddle high above the Urubamba river.

The city is clearly laid out in sections. There is a "royal" section where the stone work is the finest, the rooms are largest and running baths are nearby. The bulk of the food for the inhabitants was grown on the agricultural terraces of the city.

Conquering of the Inca

Francisco Pizarro,

Spanish conquistador

arrived in Peru

Killed the Inca emperor

Proceeded to ransack the city of Cuzco

The 40,000 member army of the Inca was destroyed by a 180 member Spanish conquistador army, which was commanded by Francisco Pizarro.

The warriors of the Inca were no match for the Spanish guns. By 1535, the Inca society was completely overthrown.

The Incas were probably weak due to contact with the Spanish and foreign diseases they brought from Europe