Mesoamerican Civilizations

1
Mayan civilization Located in the Mexican and
Central American rain forest Represented by
Chichén Itzá Group of city-states ruled by a
king Economy based on agriculture and trade
Polytheistic religion
Yucatán Peninsula -Maya were found in the Yucatan
Peninsula Maya Between 300 and 900
A.D. -Flourished during this time. We do not
know why it fell into decline. The Maya
abandoned their cities, we do not know
why. Political and Social Structure Cities-Were
built around a central pyramid Pyramid-Was topped
with a shrine to the gods. City-States-Each
governed by a hereditary ruling class
2

• Religion
• The Maya were Polytheistic.
• They believed that all of life was in the hands
  of a divine power.
• They were responsible for pleasing the gods.
• Human Sacrifice was used
• To make the gods happy
• To mark special occasions
• When a new king took the thrown

3
Accomplishments Language The Maya developed an
independent Hieroglyphic language. The Spanish
destroyed most of the Mayan writings. They were
not seen as having any value. Their language was
not translated until the 20th century.
4
Aztec civilization Located in arid valley in
central Mexico Ruled by an emperor Economy
based on agriculture and tribute from conquered
peoples Polytheistic religion with
pyramids/rituals
An Aztec legend said that when the people found
their new home they would see an eagle perched on
a cactus holding a snake. They saw this in lake
Texcoco. Present-Day Mexico-City is built on top
of this city. The original was destroyed by the
Spanish.
5
Religion Had a polytheistic religion based on
warfare. Huitzilopochtli Their chief god. He
was the god of the sun. The Aztec offered him
human sacrifice to give him strength to battle
the forces of darkness each night so that he
could rise each morning. Quetzalcoatl The
feathered Serpent He believed he had left the
valley of Mexico and promised to return in
triumph. Human Sacrifice Each Aztec city
contained a pyramid where they practiced human
sacrifice as a way to postpone the end of the
world.
6
Destruction of the Aztec Non-Aztec people hated
the Aztec for their Brutality. So when the
Spanish arrived They had no problem finding
allies. Hernán Cortés 1519 Spanish Conquistador
who came to the valley of Mexico in 1519 with 550
soldiers and 16 horses. He was at first greeted
by the Aztec Emperor Montezuma (Moctezuma). The
Spanish later kidnapped the Emperor and made him
a puppet. The people rebelled and the Emperor
was killed. The Spanish barely escaped. The
Spanish returned several months later. Many of
the natives had fallen ill with Smallpox. Cortés
and his allies destroyed the Aztec capital and
subjugated the Aztec people.
7
Incan civilization Located in the Andes
Mountains of South America Machu Picchu- major
city Ruled by an emperor Economy based on
high-altitude agriculture Polytheistic
religion Road system
Late 1300's Inca The Inca started as a small
group that were located in Cuzco. .
8

• Organization of the Empire
• Built on war
• Prisoners of war were taught their language
• Each region had a governor
• Built 24,800 miles of roads to unify their
  territory
• Built bridges over ravines and rivers.
• Built rest areas.
• Incan state was built on war.

9
Great Builders They had great buildings made of
stone held without mortar. Their roads also show
their ability as great builders. Machu
Picchu City built at 8,000 ft above sea level.
10
Defeat The Spanish arrived in 1531 Spanish
Conquistador led a band of 180 men with superior
weapons. The Inca, like the Aztec, were
devastated by disease. Smallpox Civil
War After the death of the Inca Emperor a civil
war broke out, Pizarro took advantage and
defeated the people. Defeat Pizarro and his men
established Lima as the new capital of the
Spanish Colony in 1535.