Mexico, Latin America, South America

~The Ancient Civilizations~

* All clipart pictures taken from Microsoft Clips and Microsoft Clips Online

Teaching & Studying the Ancient Civilizations of Mexico, Central, and South America

Ms. Beth Houseman6th Grade Social StudiesOwensville Middle School

General Objective: Students will identify and discuss causes and effects of the historical developments in the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec civilizations and create a travel brochure that takes the reader to their ancient ruins.

Page 21 of 52 of Missouri GLE’s

DESE Missouri State GLE’s

See Curriculum 6th Grade Social Studies General Objective 6-6 & 6-7

Gasconade County R-II Curriculum

Excellent 100 – 90 %•Brochure is complete, aligned properly, and tri-folded.•Full color brochure•Colorful cover page w/graphics•All Mayan, Aztec & Incan cultural facts are included with graphicsGood 90 – 80 % •Brochure is complete, aligned, and tri- folded•Colorful•Cover page w/graphics•Facts includedFair 80 – 70 % •Brochure is mostly complete•Various color is used•Cover page w/some graphics•Minimal facts usedPoor 60 – Below•Incomplete brochure *Little color with little or no graphics•Few facts listed

Ancient Civilizations

Video found @ unitedstreaming.comAncient_civilizations

The Mayas

Video found @ unitedstreaming.comThe_Mayas

The Aztecs

Video found @ unitedstreaming.comThe_Aztecs

The Inca

Video found @ unitedstreaming.comBolivia_s_History_Rich and Varied

Map of Latin America 1

SMART Notebook File

SMART Notebook File

Map of Latin America 2

1. What river cuts through the desert and forms a border between Mexico and the United States?

2. What mountains in the western portion of South America – home to many ancient civilizations – run roughly parallel to the Pacific coast for more than 5, 000 miles?

3. What is the main mountain range in western Mexico that runs roughly parallel to the Pacific coast?

4. What is the huge plateau that covers most of central Mexico and is surrounded by mountains?

5. What are the highlands in the northern portion of South America that separate Venezuela, Suriname, & French Guiana from Brazil?

6. What is the large lake in the northern tip of the South American continent that has a small opening into the the Atlantic Ocean?

7. What is the major river in the northern portion of South America that winds from the Guiana Highlands to the Atlantic Ocean?

8. What is the large peninsula in Mexico – much of which is covered by rain forest – that extends into the Gulf of Mexico?

9. What is the long river in South American that winds from Peru through an immense rain forest in northern Brazil, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean?

10. What is the main mountain range in eastern Mexico – containing Mexico’s highest peak – that begins south of the Rio Grande?

11. What lake is situated high in the Andes mountains and forms part of the border between Peru and Bolivia?

12. What is the plain the extends through northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Bolivia?

13. What is the grassy plateau located in southern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Bolivia?

14. What is the fertile plain that covers most of central Argentina?

15. What is the desert located in northern Chile that is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east?

16. What is the vast river basin that covers most of northern Brazil and parts of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela?

Cont…

Questions taken & Sited from: Version 1.1 of Teachers’ Curriculum Institute / Civilizations of the Americas

1. What river cuts through the desert and forms a border between Mexico and the United States? Rio Grande

2. What mountains in the western portion of South America – home to many ancient civilizations – run roughly parallel to the Pacific coast for more than 5, 000 miles? Andes Mountains

3. What is the main mountain range in western Mexico that runs roughly parallel to the Pacific coast? Sierra Madre Occidential

4. What is the huge plateau that covers most of central Mexico and is surrounded by mountains? Plateau of Mexico

5. What are the highlands in the northern portion of South America that separate Venezuela, Suriname, & French Guiana from Brazil? Guinea Highlands

6. What is the large lake in the northern tip of the South American continent that has a small opening into the the Atlantic Ocean? Lake Maracaibo

7. What is the major river in the northern portion of South America that winds from the Guiana Highlands to the Atlantic Ocean? Orinoco River

8. What is the large peninsula in Mexico – much of which is covered by rain forest – that extends into the Gulf of Mexico? Yucatan Peninsula

9. What is the long river in South American that winds from Peru through an immense rain forest in northern Brazil, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean? Amazon River

10. What is the main mountain range in eastern Mexico – containing Mexico’s highest peak – that begins south of the Rio Grande? Sierra Madre Oriental

11. What lake is situated high in the Andes mountains and forms part of the border between Peru and Bolivia? Lake Titicaca

12. What is the plain the extends through northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Bolivia? Gran Chaco

13. What is the grassy plateau located in southern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Bolivia? Patagonia

14. What is the fertile plain that covers most of central Argentina? Pampas

15. What is the desert located in northern Chile that is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east? Atacama Desert

16. What is the vast river basin that covers most of northern Brazil and parts of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela? Amazon River

Cont…

Questions taken & Sited from: Version 1.1 of Teachers’ Curriculum Institute / Civilizations of the Americas

The Mayans, Incas & Aztecs Religion Art Writings

Calendars Math Food

Warfare Royalty / Govt. Architecture

Great Mayan Cities Tikal Copan Palenque

Lies deep in the jungle in the Peten province of Guatemala. Situated on high ground surrounded by large, swampy depressions which protected it from neighboring cities.

Lies along the Copan River in a low tropical mountain valley in what is now Honduras.

Lies a few miles from the great Usumacinta River and low in the foothills of nearby mountains. Overlooks a vast lowland plain and delta region. Smaller than Copan.

A city-state governed by kings. One of the largest of all Mayan cities.

An independent city-state governed by its own line of kings.

An independent city-state, ruled by a line of kings. Pacal or “Shield” lived into his 80’s & ruled over 60 years.

No local source of water. Depended on artificial reservoirs during the dry season. Labor to maintain.

Ceremonial center of a rich agricultural area, and its art and buildings are famous for their high quality.

Its architecture is considered by many to be the most beautiful of any Mayan city.

TenochtitlanThe Great City of the Aztec

•Built before Columbus arrived in the Americas•One of the most advanced civilizations in the western hemisphere•An Aztec capital with a population of over 200,000 people•Built on an island in Lake Texcoco now the site of Mexico City•Enclosed by tropical rain forests & high latitude it enjoys a mild climate •3 major city-states = Tenochtitlan, Texaco, and Tlatelolco which

became the Aztec Empire

Sacred Round Calculations Using the Mayan Calendar________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18

_______ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 19 Day 20 Day 21 Day 22 Day 23 Day 24

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 25 Day 26 Day 27 Day 28 Day 29 Day 30

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 31 Day 32 Day 33 Day 34 Day 35 Day 36

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 37 Day 38 Day 39 Day 40 Day 41 Day 42

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Day 43 Day 44 Day 45 Day 46 Day 47 Day 48

Mayan Math

= represented the number “0” zero

. = represented the number “1” one_= represented the number “5” five

Example: .. is “7”

Tribes: Everyday Life

Food Religion Social Organization

Achievements Fall of the

Empire

Maya •Hard work•Slash & Burn•Planting•Building / Architecture•Irrigation

•Birds, Rabbits, Monkeys, Deer•Wild fruits•Nuts•Vegetables corn, squash, beans, etc.

•Many different gods•13 layers of heavens above the earth•9 underworlds •Sacrifices•Worship Dead

•Lord•Nobles•Priests•Merchants / Artisans•Peasants•Slaves

•Legends•Architecture•Hieroglyphics•Ball Game•Calendars•Astronomy•Mathematics•Irrigation•Raised fields

•Abandoned their cities and just walked away / left•Natural Disaster•Disease

Inca

•Large Empire•Roads•Terrace farming•Hard work•Planting•Andes Mts., rain forests, coastal deserts

•Potatoes•Corn•Tomatoes•Avocados•Peppers•Strawberries•Nuts•Beans•Chocolate

•Many gods and goddesses•God of nature Viracocha•Sun god –Inti•Daily prayers•Festivals

•Sapa Inca descendant of the Sun god – wife Coya•Nobles•Govt Officials•Little contact with the Mayans & Aztecs

•Roads•Terrace Farming•Irrigation•Tamed llamas•Counting system/quipus

•Spanish arrived and conquered

Aztec

•Steambath•Large households•Farming•Crafting•Trade

•Maize (corn)•Beans•Squash•Chili Peppers•Tomatoes•Wild game

•Gods•Goddesses•A Patron God for each village

•Royal Family/Upper class nobles•Commoners•Serfs•Slaves

•Architecture•Calendars•Trade / Canals•Markets•Sculptures•Weaving

•(Spanish)•Cortes•Conquistadors

Religion Mayans Incas AztecsThe Mayans worshipped many different gods. Believed their rulers were living gods.

The Inca worshipped many gods and goddesses.

Worshiped many gods and goddesses.

Believed there were 13 layers of heavens above the earth and 9 underworlds below.

The major Incan god was the god of nature, Viracocha, the creator. Another Incan god was Inti the sun god. Gold was his symbol & he was the father of Incan rulers.

Each village & occupation had its own patron god. A different god for each day watched over them.

Ceremonies of gifts and sacrifices, such as valuables, their own blood and human sacrifices.

Believed in “divining” which is studying objects to find magic signs the gods wanted them to know. Had offerings and sacrifices as well.

Human sacrifices, men women and sometimes children.

Rulers MAYANS INCAS AZTECSLord Cacao-King of Tikal

18 Gopher-Ruler of Copan

Pacal – Ruler of Palenque

Lord

•Was considered a god-king

•Responsible for political leadership

•Lords mostly men, but women had great influence on political decisions

Pachacuti (1438-1463)

•Vision to use warfare to spread Inca culture

•Promise peace and gifts backed by threats

•Forced conquered peoples to obey leaders & learn the language; but could keep native language, leaders & gods.

Huyayna Capac•Atahualpa >

•Huscar > His 2 sons

Montezuma (1440-1468/9)

•Expanded the empire from the Atlantic to Pacific coasts & to Central America to what is now Guatemala.

•Montezuma II – his grandson became emperor in 1502. He ruled when the empire was at its peak.

Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham. Itsits one and a half miles high on a mountaintop in Peru once inhibited bythe Inca civilization. Bingham thought it must have been a special religious city because of the fine stonework, however archaeologistsbelieve it was some type of vacation resort for Inca nobles. Over 3,000 steps connect the levels of the city and farming terraces. It could only be reached by a log bridge on a sheer cliff. If enemies threatened the citizens there, they would simply draw back the bridge.

Clipart picture taken from Microsoft clips online

Possible Causes of Collapse of Classic Mayan Civilization

•Lack of Resources *Enormous Population-Water - Food - Materials -Lack of modern agricultural tools like the plow.-Revolution against the Government -Depletion of the soil-Attack against the kings -Peasant uprising -Too many people to feed

-Invasion-foreign - tribal; Toltecs

-Trade routes-Shifting toward the North - Increase use of water routes

-Location-Possible weather / climate concerns - Earthquakes, hurricanes -Epidemics of disease

-Calendar prophesies-They Mayans believed they were headed for collapse because their calendar said they were, therefore they thought they should move to new centers