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II.
Geographic Setting
a. During the last ice age, large amounts of ocean water froze into ice sheets and created a land
bridge between Siberia and Alaska, as the ocean levels dropped. Across the bridge, Asian
Paleolithic hunters followed the herds of bison into North America; eventually they migrated east
and south. Slowly groups of Americans learned to cultivate crops and domesticate animals
(Neolithic Revolution). Farmers settled into villages, which could grow into large cities and
religious centers. The first great American civilizations developed in Mesoamerica (also called
Middle America), the region that includes Mexico and Central America.
Early Civilizations in the Americas
a. Olmecs (1200BC- 400 BC)
i. The Olmecs were the first known civilization in Mesoamerica. They farmed along
riverbanks in the hot, swampy lowlands along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. They
traded with other peoples of Mesoamerica for jade and obsidian (a dark natural glass
stone formed by lava) to make their tools, jewelry, and monuments. They had large cities
that were important for their religious rituals, including the cities of San Lorenzo and La
Venta. The Olmecs were known for their use of pyramids (for religious purposes) and for
their colossal stone heads, probably to represent their gods or their leaders. These heads,
over 10 ft high and 20 tons, were remarkable because the Olmecs did not have any metal
tools to cut the stone. Had a written language; not yet deciphered. 400 BC: Olmec
civilization mysteriously collapses. However, Olmec civilization continues to have
influence in Mesoamerica, especially the Mayas. Mayas adopted into their culture to
include some Olmec traditions, including their sports (ball court game), their
religion/gods, and their calendar.
b. Zapotec (500 BC- 800 AD)
i. Located close to the Pacific Ocean, center was city of Monte Alban. Like the Olmec,
contained a number of temples and pyramids. Most people lived in terraces cut into the
sides of the mountain. Ruled by an elite class of nobles and priests. Like Olmec, devised
a written language that has not been deciphered. Monte Alban abandoned in the late 8th
century, historians are unsure why.
c. Teotihuacan (250 BC- 800 AD)
i. Means Place of the Gods. First major city in Mesoamerica (present day Mexico City).
It had as many as 200,000 inhabitants at its height. Along its main avenue, known as the
Avenue of the Dead, were temples and palaces. All of them, however, were dominated by
a massive Pyramid of the Sun. This monument rose in four tiers to a height of more than
200 feet. The pyramid was an important temple for pilgrimages. Although most people
were farmers (one of the most fertile areas in Mesoamerica), Teo was best known for
being a center of trade: tools, weapons, pottery, jewelry, etc. Especially famous were their
obsidian tools: sharp, volcanic glass that was used in tools and knives. Goods made in
Teo were shipped to Central America, Mexico, and Southwest North America. In
return, city received luxury items and the raw materials used in their crafts, such as shells
and feathers. By 800, city was destroyed and abandoned, after several years of decline.
d. Chavin, South America (900 BC- 200 BC)
i. The Chavin people, located along coast of modern day Peru and Ecuador along the Andes
Mountains, built a large ceremonial complex, with two stone pyramids and stone figures
depicting different gods. They also made objects of gold and silver. Their most
impressive achievement was a solar observatory made up of 13 stone towers. Signs of a
simple writing system. It declined, historians are unsure why.
e. Pre-Columbian Civilizations
i. Civilizations emerged in Mesoamerica are called Pre-Columbia because they existed
before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
1. The Mayas, Aztecs, and the Incas
a. Developed agriculture that could support large populations.
b. Placed great importance on religion
c. Formed governments that ruled large empires.
d. Had advanced knowledge in areas such as agriculture, engineering, and
architecture.
Mayan Civilization
Agriculture:
Cities:
Government:
o City-states governed by kings by divine right
o Often at war
Tikal and Palenque
Built around pyramids or shrines to gods
Required human sacrifice- prisoners of war
Forced labor
Science:
Long Count Mayan calendar
Trained priests used calendar for spiritual purposes
Observatories
Concept of zero
Learning and writing:
Hieroglyphics; glyphs
Wrote on bark
4 books survived the Spanish
Wrote into clay, jade, bone, monuments
Inca Civilization
Geography:
Civilization covered a large amount of land
Covered present day countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and the tip of Colombia
Encompassed 12 million people
Major city: Cuzco (present day Peru)
Movement of people and goods was common along the thousand miles of road that connected the major
Incan cities
Had 4 different provinces- some areas were very dry while others were part of the Amazon
Inca Military:
Military was led by a general, a noble, and a community leader
Incas used different weapons depending on their location
Although the Incas had weapons, they were not strong enough to withstand the Spaniards
Inca Culture:
Incas religion involved worshipping gods and making sacrifices to them
Inca women were not educated
Inca Empire had advanced architecture
Arts included weaving, crafting, farming, healing, dancing, and making music
Inca Government:
Political Systems:
Largest of the Mesoamerican empires
Ruler was known as Sapa Inca, son of Inti (sun god)
Emperors had absolute power
Officials ran the empire and reported back to the emperor
Economics:
Incas didnt have currency- used trade and the barter system
Transported goods very easily
Royal Road- 2,000 mile long road- helped with trade and movement of the army
Achievements:
Apurimac- hanging suspension bridge
Most famous Incan ruin is Machu Picchu- buildings and stairs carved in the side of a mountain
Used terrace farming
Used irrigation systems
Incan Religion:
Polytheistic
Most important god- Inti
Famous temple: Temple of the Sun
Fall of the Incan Empire:
Spanish through the period of the Age of Exploration conquered the Incan empire in 1500s
When the last Sapa Inca died, his two sons fight for the title which caused a civil war
The Aztec Civilization
Civilization- a nation or group of people who have reached an advanced state of human society in which a high
level of culture, science, government, technology, and industry has been reached.
1. What are some examples of elements that make up our modern day civilization in terms of culture, science,
government, and technology/industry?
2. Based on the picture below, what do you think these buildings, roads, and engravings are used for? What are
the mass people doing?
African Culture
Used painting, literature, and music as an expression of religion
Section 2: Kingdoms and States of Africa
Kingdom of Ghana
Founded around 750
Region between Senegal and Niger Rivers
Made iron swords
Trading kingdom
Paid taxes to the central government
Kingdom of Mali
1240- Mali conquered the old capital of Ghana and founded a new empire
Used gold and salt mines
Converted to Islam
Mansa Musa
Kingdom of Songhai
1464- Sultan Sunni Ali
Captured Timbuktu
Traded across the Sahara
Only lasted 100 years
Migration of the Bantus
Along shores of the Indian Ocean
Subsistence farming
Trade- began in 8th century with the Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula
Essential Questions:
What were cultural differences of the Aztec, Mayas, and Incan civilizations?
What were the cultural comparisons of the Aztec, Mayas, and Inca civilizations?
What were the architectural achievements of the Mesoamericans?
What are specific cultural influences of the Mesoamericans on Hispanic culture?
Was conquest by the Spaniards of the Americas exploration or exploitation?
How did the civilizations of Africa develop?
How did trade impact the African civilizations?
Student Objectives:
Students will be able to examine the similarities and differences among the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas.
Students will be able to discuss the achievements of the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas.
Students will be able to explain how the Mesoamerican civilizations were impacted by the Spanish.
Students will be able to describe the African civilizations of Ghana, Songhai, and Mali.
Students will be able to analyze how trade impacted the African civilizations.
Process:
Students will develop historical thinking skills through the use of: students generate timelines, graphic
organizers, and the reading of primary and secondary sources.
Assessment:
Students will have formative and summative assessments based on the New York State Standards and
Common Core Standards.