Meso and Andean America. Political, Economic, Cultural, and Social Aspects

Transcription

1 Meso and Andean America Political, Economic, Cultural, and Social Aspects

2 Inquiry Questions How were the Inca and Aztecs theatre states and how did they manifest? What technological and scientific innovations did Mesoamerican culture produce? How did Mesoamerican and Andean societies reflect social stratification? How did Mesoamericans express their interest in science? What was the impact of trade networks on Meso and Andean America?

3 Mesoamerica quick history to Aztecs Mayan Culture 200 CE 1500 CE (or present?) Maya not a political entity City States like ancient Greece are a Cultural Region Kingdoms/City-states fought each other for dominance with largest dominating neighbors Developed agricultural techniques in use later: drained swamps, built elevated or terraced fields, irrigation systems, and managed forest resources

4 Mayan Geography Meso-America Humid plains areas Wetter coastal regions Forested areas, esp. on slopes

5 Mayan Culture Impressive monumental architecture from largest city states City of Teotihuacan Population K at height Dominated by pyramidal structures Urbanization through forced resettlement Agricultural innovations: Chinampas (floating gardens) Social stratification: commoners lived in Apartments of stone, elite had private homes

6 Teotihuacan Ruled by alliance of wealthy families (Oligarchy) Military used to protect and expand longdistance trade Mayan city-states abandoned by CE. Collapsed around 650 CE Mismanagement of resources? Conflict within elite? Invasion? Teotihuacan Avenue Of The Dead

7 Mayan Political Form of State Decentralized NOT AN EMPIRE Mayan refers to a culture, like ancient Greeks City-states ruled by separate divine kings Sometimes alliances formed; sometimes small empires as individual kings increased and decreased power & territory

8 Archeological sites show distinct similarities Several sites have special structures that are evidence of a ruler Mayan texts mention multiple centers of power, tribute relationships Mayan Political Form of State

9 Mayan Monumental Architecture Large pyramid-like structures used as ritual sites Special palaces for the King & Nobles part of the theaterstate (like the stage) No wheels took huge amounts of human energy No (or little) animal power not oxen or horses

10 Theater State Kings and nobility wore special costumes, lived in impressive buildings, and conducted expensive rituals to awe commoners Had to maintain appearances gave them power with the peasants Devoted enormous amounts of resources to this end

11 Mayan Economy Extensive reliance on corn (maize) No significant domesticated animals to use as cargo transport trade mostly for ceremonial objects used by the theater state Tribute paid by commoners to King & nobles Used slash-and-burn agriculture Used cisterns to store water from wet years to use during dry periods

12 Warfare Warfare between city-states common Some city-states grew more powerful by conquest but never enough to form empire Constant competition Captives treated brutally When Mayan civilization weakened, were invaded by the Toltec

13 Mayan scribe Maya culture ballgame

14 The Toltec Based on surviving civilization of Teotihuacan Innovative in war Capital at Tula Dual Kingship may have undermined the state around 1000 CE Destroyed by invaders around 1168 CE

15 The Aztec Originally northern, clan-based Migration to area around Lake Texcoco 1325 established major cities of Tenochtitlan and Tlateloco Political form of state: Monarchy King increased wealth & power through conquest Commoners lost influence Inequities in wealth worsened

16 Theater State Power maintained through massive public rituals Trade focused on status items Large number of gods most important was sun god Gods required sacrifice of human hearts thousands per year The Aztec Politics

17 The Aztec Economy Grain & other food tribute met 25% of capital s needs Merchants distinct from and subordinate to elite Elite controlled long-distance trade No wheeled vehicles, draft animals, or currency (human porters)

18 The Aztec Economy: Increased agricultural production through land reclamation: Chinampas (floating gardens) Irrigation

19 Aztec wall of Skulls Aztec Culture Aztec priest with blood bowl Aztec Maize God Large number of Gods most important was Sun God Huitzilopochtli Gods required diet of human hearts supplied through sacrifice Thousands sacrificed per year most war captives Emperor had special blood rituals Aztec priest with blood bowl Aztec sacrificial knives

20 Andean Civilizations

21 Predecessors -- Moche No formal political structure Cultivation of staple crops: maize, quinoa, beans, manioc, potatoes Use of Alpacas for wool Highly stratified and theocratic society Wealthy lived on platforms above the commoners Moche ceramic portrait vase

22 Moche (cont) Metallurgists (specialists) Fall of Moche culture 30 years of drought Invasions Leaders lost authority blessing of god

23 Geography Andes mountains very challenging territory Formed thousands of miles of trail to link up three zones Mountains Jungle Seaside Political form of state Originally clanbased Allyu clanbased payment of surplus grain. M ita tributary labor system

24 The Inca -- Politics Kept local leaders in place Sons kept captive at capital of Cuzco Sacred idols kept at Cuzco Significant Imperial Bureaucracy Royal family as descendent from Sun God Theater State (like Aztecs): rituals and symbols to maintain power & social stratification Inca Machu Picchyu

25 Gender roles clear, but all expected to work, participate in economy Social Structure

26 The Inca (c CE) Capital at Cuzco Overall population of 6 million Vast Geographic territory Used military to conquer distant territories of varying environments Incan roads in Andes

27 Inca Quipus The Inca Economy Used military to set up Tributary relationship with surrounding peoples Mit a labor system (1/7 of each man s product to social support system)

28 The Inca Incan Tunic Cultural Amazing architecture masonry without mortar Puma-shaped city Achievements in Astronomy and metallurgy

29 Inquiry Questions How were the Inca and Aztecs theatre states and how did they manifest? What technological and scientific innovations did Mesoamerican culture produce? How did Mesoamerican and Andean societies reflect social stratification? How did Mesoamericans express their interest in science? What was the impact of trade networks on Meso and Andean America?