americas : on eve of invasion chapter 11 pgs 234-254 consider reading relevant info “beyond...
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Americas: On Eve of Invasion
Chapter 11pgs 234-254
• Consider reading relevant info “Beyond Classical Civs” on pg. 104-105:
starting w/¶ “Yet another portion of the world…”
Aztecs
Incas
Background 800-400 BCE: Olmec
Analogous to River Valley Civs, but built on corn No writing, but religious inspired pyramids, calendars & art
400CE-800: Teotihuacan In Central Mexico, America’s 1st great city
400CE-800: Maya In Yucatan Peninsula, important city-states (like Chichén Itzá)
Postclassic Mesoamerica, Postclassic Mesoamerica, to 1500to 1500
Toltec Heritage1000 – 1150 CE
Empire in C. Mexico w/ military ethic & sacrifice Influenced Aztecs as well as Maya & groups in North
America
Aztec Rise to Power
Aztecs = militant & religiousPower drawn from military strength, connection to Toltec cultureUse marshy island to end wandering: Tenochtitlan
Aztec Social Contract
Expansion & conquest results in change
Aztecs: chosen to serve godsRitual human sacrifice grows
Religion & Ideology of ConquestPolytheistic
Worship grouped into 3 cultsGods of Fertility & Agriculture; Gods of Creation;
Gods of Sacrifice & Warfare
Most important ritual = sacrifice Human-Gods relationship
Additional complexity Spiritual unityFatalistic view of world
Feeding the People: The Economy
Required large, stable food sourceTribute from conquered landsTraditional ag by peasants = chinampas
Social StructureClans = farming (some set aside)Exceptions: Nobility, Merchants
Heavily state-controlled
Aztec Society in Aztec Society in TransitionTransition
Widening Social Gulf
Aztecs’ original social structureCalpulli – clans organized the empire
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Widening Social Gulf
Expansion: transforms classes Clans weaken & class divisions emerge
Classes reinforced by uniforms & clothing
1. Nobility Powerful administrators & powerful military leaders
2. Small middle group Scribes, artisans, healers, merchants
3. Commoners Worked estates like serfs at will of nobles
4. Slaves
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Overcoming Tech Constraints
Women: have role but subordinateHelped in fields & reared childrenCooked & prepared food
Lack of technologyLimited social developmentPolitical-religious system based on intimidation
A Tribute Empire
Gov’t = collection of city-states
1. “Great Speaker” = ruler of Tenochtitlan Acted as emperor
2. Prime Minister = chief advisor
3. Governing Council
4. “Speaker”
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A Tribute Empire
Empire never fully integrated Tribute concentrated power, but…Local rulers given independence
Success = domination, not administration
Failure = division, fear, tribute
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Background -Geography of mtns dividing valleys made
broad civilization difficult 1200-200BCE: Chavin & Moche (religious heritage)
Analogous to River Valley Civs, but built on potatoes
550CE-1000: Huari & Tihuanaco Establish highland ag in cultural hearth of Inca
900CE-1465: Chimor (economic & artistic heritage)
Twantinsuyu: the IncasTwantinsuyu: the Incas
The Inca Rise to Power
1350 CE—clans of common language draw on traditionCenter empire around city = CuzcoPachacuti: emperor united group, began territorial
expansion“Twantinsuyu” or Inca Empire formed
Armies conquer vast & diverse areas
Conquest & ReligionReason for expansion?
Split inheritance
Central to religion = cult of the Sun
Lesser local animistic deitiesServed at temples by clans, priests, & womenOfferings & sacrifices givenCenters of festivals, rituals
Techniques of Inca Imperial Rule
Central authority, provincial bureaucracy & local autonomy
Integration of diversity based on reciprocity
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Techniques of Inca Imperial Rule
Economic considerationsCommunities aimed at self-sufficiency, supported
by state control
Class considerationsEqual & interdependent genders? Nobility & Priests vs. Yanas & Ayllus
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How Many People?Estimates for West Hemisphere vary
Historical context
Other Peoples of the Other Peoples of the AmericasAmericas
Differing Cultural Patterns
Ecological variety = development continuumChiefdom societies
Mixed societies (agriculture & hunting)
Hunter-gatherer societies
Commonalities
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