BELLWORK• Today, we are going to focus on Medieval Mesoamerica and the three

civilizations that dominated the region: Maya, Inca & Aztec.• Read pgs. 90-91 and answer the following:

1. Describe the background of Mayan civilization (when, where, peak, city-states, etc.)

2. Explain the Mayan religion. How did they worship their gods?

3. What advances did the Mayans make in science?4. What advances did the Mayans make in writing?5. Why did Mayan civilization collapse?6. THINKER: One thing that has recently popularized

the Mayans is their calendar. Some people believe the Mayans predicted the end of the world to be December 21, 2012. Do you believe this? Why might this be inaccurate?

2012 Phenomenon • 12/21/12 is regarded as the end-date

of a 5,125 year long cycle in the Mayan Long Count Calendar.

• Others suggest that the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe. Scenarios suggested for the end of the world include the arrival of a solar maximum, or Earth's collision with an object such as a black hole, a passing asteroid, or a planet called “Nibiru”

• Professional Mayan scholars state that predictions of collapse are NOT found in any of the classic Mayan accounts, and that the idea that the Long Count Calendar “ends” in 2012 “misrepresents Mayan history and culture.”

• Most historians believe that this date marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one

Long Count Julian Calendar correlation

13.0.0.0.0 August 11, 3114 BCE

1.0.0.0.0 November 13, 2720 BCE

2.0.0.0.0 February 16, 2325 BCE

3.0.0.0.0 May 21, 1931 BCE

4.0.0.0.0 August 23, 1537 BCE

5.0.0.0.0 November 26, 1143 BCE

6.0.0.0.0 February 28, 748 BCE

7.0.0.0.0 June 3, 354 BCE

8.0.0.0.0 September 5, 41 CE

9.0.0.0.0 December 9, 435

10.0.0.0.0 March 13, 830

11.0.0.0.0 June 15, 1224

12.0.0.0.0 September 18, 1618

13.0.0.0.0 December 21, 2012

14.0.0.0.0 March 26, 2407

15.0.0.0.0 June 28, 2801

16.0.0.0.0 October 1, 3195

17.0.0.0.0 January 3, 3590

18.0.0.0.0 April 7, 3984

19.0.0.0.0 July 11, 4378

1.0.0.0.0.0 October 13, 4772

Ruins in Telum, Mexico

Ruins in Coba, Mexico

(Cancun)

Hundred Years’ War: History Frame

• Since we briefly went over the Hundred Years’ War yesterday, we are going to review the conflict and its main points.

• Complete the History Frame using your notes and pgs. 149-150

• Use my guidelines on the board!

Native American Empires• The Mayan collapse started in the 900’s AD,

but by 1300, there was no trace left. • From the 1300s to the 1500s, two powerful

civilizations ruled areas of Mexico, Central & South America:

• The Aztec and Inca• Both were late-comers to power, but within 200

years they transformed themselves into huge empires.

• They developed highly centralized governments, became productive farmers, builders, and artisans.

BELLWORK• For today’s bellwork, we are

going to focus on Medieval Mesoamerica and the two civilizations that dominated the region: Aztec & Inca.

• In your notes, create a chart for the two civilizations.

• You will start by reading about one of the civilizations and filling in your portion of the chart.

• When we discuss bellwork as a class, you will fill in the rest.

• Last names A-L: Read about the Aztec – pgs. 164-165

• Last names M-Z: Read about the Inca – pgs. 165-166

Aztec Inca

Rise to Power

Describe Empire

Gov. & Society

Religion

Decline

AztecAztec• Ancient civilization made up of nomadic hunters and

warriors who migrated into central Mexico in 1200s.• Capital – Tenochtitlan • Their capital was an agricultural center and

marketplace (caused increase in population)• Used chinampas: artificial islands for farming• A network of canals and bridges connected the

mainland with the capital city.• At the center of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec built

impressive pyramids, temples, and palaces.

AztecAztec• The Aztec expanded their empire by making

good alliances and conquering rivals.• Their civilization was organized as a hierarchy:

divisions based on authority. – Emperor, nobility, commoners, serfs, and

slaves• Religion was the most important: believed

sacrifices made the gods happy.• Aztec civilization ended when Spanish forces

invaded and conquered their land in 1521.

IncaInca• The Inca began as a small tribe The Inca began as a small tribe

competing for fertile land in the competing for fertile land in the Andes. Andes.

• Established Established CuzcoCuzco as their capital as their capital

• In 1438, In 1438, PachacutiPachacuti came to power. came to power.

• He expanded the borders to include He expanded the borders to include Peru, Chile, and parts of Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and parts of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.Bolivia, and Argentina.

IncaInca• Pachacuti created a strong central government Pachacuti created a strong central government

that allowed local rulers to control territories.that allowed local rulers to control territories.

• Established an imperial language called Quechua.Established an imperial language called Quechua.

• The Inca emperor regulated the lives of common The Inca emperor regulated the lives of common people. people.

• The Inca believed in many gods and had a variety The Inca believed in many gods and had a variety of ceremonies to please them (human, animal, of ceremonies to please them (human, animal, food sacrifices)food sacrifices)

• Inca civilization ended with the Spanish Inca civilization ended with the Spanish conquering South America in 1531.conquering South America in 1531.

Review

• How are the Aztec and Inca similar?

• How are the Aztec and Inca different?

CLOSURECLOSURE• What was the capital of the Aztec? What was the capital of the Aztec?

What was it used for?What was it used for?

• How was Aztec civilization organized?How was Aztec civilization organized?

• Who was Pachacuti? What did he do Who was Pachacuti? What did he do for the Inca civilization?for the Inca civilization?

• How did both groups practice How did both groups practice religion?religion?

• How did these civilizations come to an How did these civilizations come to an end?end?