People and Empires in

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People and Empires in the Americas, 9001500
Chapter Overview
Time Line
Diverse Societies of North America
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SECTION
Mayan Kings and Cities
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SECTION
The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
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SECTION
The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
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SECTION
MAP
GRAPH
Visual Summary
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People and Empires in the Americas, 9001500
In the Americas, Native American, Mayan, Aztec,
and Inca civilizations develop prior to the
arrival of the Europeans. These civilizations,
reflecting their geographic diversity, all
develop sophisticated social, political, and
economic institutions.
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People and Empires in the Americas, 9001500
Time Line
500s Teotihuacan reaches population peak in
central Mexico.
900 Classic period of Mayan civilization ends.
1502 Montezuma II crowned Aztec emperor.
1325 Aztecs build Tenochtitlan.
800 Anasazi culture develops in the Southwest.
1100 Mississippian culture thrives at Cahokia.
1438 Pachacuti becomes Inca emperor.
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Diverse Societies of North America
Key Idea
The dwellings and characteristics of Native
American cultures, such as the Pueblos and Mound
Builders, reflect their different environments.
Common patterns of trade, religion, and social
structure link diverse Native American peoples.
Overview
Assessment
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Diverse Societies of North America
Overview
potlatch Anasazi pueblos Mississippian
Iroquois totems
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Complex North American societies were linked to
each other through culture and economics.
Traditions and ideas from these cultures became
part of the cultures of North America.
Assessment
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Diverse Societies of North America
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Compare and contrast Native Americans
of the Northwest Coast and the Southwest.
Both
Gathered food and hunted, fished differences in
wealth created social classes had potlatches
Irrigated desert lands used pottery built cliff
dwellings, pueblos, kivas
Believed in nature spirits believed in Great
Spirit believed land was for everyone sought
harmony with nature felt family was the basic
unit
continued . . .
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Diverse Societies of North America
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Section
Assessment
2. In what ways did the peoples of North America
share similar cultural patterns? THINK ABOUT
how the people viewed the environment
the role of family in their lives
religion
ANSWER
Most of the native people shared a love of the
earth, valued the family unit, believed in the
Great Spirit, and used totems.
Possible Response
continued . . .
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Diverse Societies of North America
1
Section
Assessment
3. What evidence is there that societies in North
America interacted with each other? THINK ABOUT
how goods were obtained
ways to defend against enemies
what kinds of evidence historians find and
consider valid
ANSWER
Cultural groups throughout North America
traded for goods they needed. Groups
established alliances such as the Iroquois League
for defense. Artifacts, ruins, and stories
offer evidence of such interaction.
Possible Responses
End of Section 1
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Mayan Kings and Cities
Key Idea
Mayan civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica
during the first millennium A.D. Mayan cities and
farms, religious practices, and achievements
reflect a highly advanced culture. By the 900s,
however, the Maya are in decline.
Overview
Assessment
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Mayan Kings and Cities
Overview
Tikal glyph codex Popol Vuh
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The Maya developed a highly complex civilization
based on city-states controlled by dynasties of
kings.
Descendants of the Maya still occupy the same
territory.
Assessment
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Mayan Kings and Cities
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. List details to support the following
main idea The Maya developed a highly complex
civilization in Mesoamerica. You may want to
review the characteristics of a civilization
found in Chapter 1.
They built spectacular city-states ruled by
dynasties of god-kings.
Created huge architectural sites
Developed sophisticated farming methods
Developed advanced mathematics, astronomy, and
writing systems
Created a complex religious system
continued . . .
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Mayan Kings and Cities
2
Section
Assessment
2. How important do you think the development of
advanced mathematics was in the creation of the
Mayan calendar? THINK ABOUT
how records are kept over long periods of time
the need for numbers larger than 20
the need for precision
ANSWER
Advanced mathematics was critical to the
development of the Mayan calendar. The Maya
needed a system of mathematics to record
celestial movements over the years, to handle
large numbers, and to calculate the solar and
lunar year with great precision.
Possible Response
End of Section 2
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The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
Key Idea
In the Valley of Mexico, the Aztecs emerge in the
1200s, building on the foundations of earlier
cultures. They conquer neighboring states to
create the largest empire in Mesoamerica. By the
1500s, the empire begins to unravel.
Overview
Assessment
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The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
Overview
obsidian Quetzalcoatl Triple Alliance
Montezuma II
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Through alliances and conquest, the Aztecs
created a powerful empire in Mexico.
This time period saw the origins of one of the
20th centurys most populous cities, Mexico City.
Assessment
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The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
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Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Describe the main events that led to
the establishment and growth of the Aztec Empire.
Arrive in Valley of Mexico
Build Tenochtitlan
Form the Triple Alliance
Conquer many lands
continued . . .
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The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
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Section
Assessment
2. How did the Aztec need for victims for
sacrifice lead to problems controlling the
empire? THINK ABOUT
reactions of the conquered peoples
changes in army tactics
ANSWER
Demands for victims for sacrifice aroused the
hatred of the conquered peoples. The goal of
the army was to capture their enemies, not kill
them. After a time, a number of provinces
rebelled against Aztec rule.
Possible Responses
End of Section 3
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The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
Key Idea
In the Peruvian Andes, the Inca in the 1400s
establish the largest empire in the Americas.
They create a highly controlled economy and an
official religion. In the early 1500s, civil war
weakens the empire.
Overview
Assessment
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The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
Overview
Pachacuti ayllu mita quipu
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The Inca built a vast empire supported by taxes,
governed by a bureaucracy, and linked by
extensive road systems.
The Inca system of government was similar to some
socialist govern-ments in the 20th century.
Assessment
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The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
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Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Explain the methods the Inca used to
build a vast empire and unify it under their
control.
Subject peoples kept their rulers and customs.
Incan cities built in conquered lands
Economic activity controlled
Incan schools founded
Extensive road system built
Single official language used
Empires units ruled by central Bureaucracy
continued . . .
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The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
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Section
Assessment
2. Why do you think the Inca used the ayllu
system as the basis for governing the people of
the empire? THINK ABOUT
ways to control a large empire
the ease of using a system that already
existed
ANSWER
The system was already in place. It
allowed the Inca to organize thousands of people
into manageable units. People viewed it as a
traditional practice.
Possible Responses
continued . . .
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The Inca Create a Mountain Empire
GRAPH
MAP
4
Section
Assessment
3. What were advantages and disadvantages of the
Incan welfare state?
ANSWER

• Advantages All people cared for during good and
  bad times offered stability 
• Disadvantages High taxes, forced labor for the
  state, no private economic activity, limited
  opportunity for advancement, less freedom

Possible Responses
End of Section 4