1.4 Flashcards
State Building in the Americas
Mississippian
first large-scale civilization in North America, near the Mississippi River Valley, built large earth mounds. Rigid class structure with “Great Sun” as leader, matrilineal society. Abandoned for reasons unknown
Cahokia
largest Mississippian mound, located in Illinois
matrilineal society
social standing is determined by the woman’s side of the family. (ex title passed to sister’s son, not ruler’s son)
city-state
a territory with a city and surrounding territory, usually ruled by a king. Mayans had a lot of them instead of a centralized government
human sacrifices
humans sacrificed in religious rituals
Mexicas (Aztecs)
founded capital of Tenochtitlan, one of the largest cities in the world. Ruled from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. built pyramids and maintained power over smaller provinces via a tributary system. was a theocracy ruled by a “Great Speaker,” many gods, and human sacrifices. low level of technology and internal resentment of tributary system contributed to their fall when the Spanish arrived
theocracy
a government ruled by religious leaders
Pachacuti
a tribal leader who conquered other tribes in Peru, combined them to create the Incan Empire
Incan Empire
the consolidation of many lands, split into four provinces with other own bureaucracy. did not pay tribute, subject to mit’a system. Strong religion and belief that you could not inheret property. terrace system and huge road system, declined due to civil war and disease and conquering by Francisco Pizzaro.
mit’a system
mandatory public service system. can include agricultural and road construction and other forms of labor
Temple of the Sun
Incan temple celebrating Inti the sun god. core of Incan religion
animism
the belief that elements of the physical world could have supernatural/godly powers
Carpa Nan
a huge Incan road system built using captive labor and used mainly by the government and military. lots of bridges because parts of it were in the mountains
