Aztecs, Incas, Mayans Flashcards
Incan Geography
Modern day Peru, South America
Coastal desert on one side, jungle on the other
Cities in the Andes mountains
Found resources in Amazonian jungle
Aztec Geography
Watery, marshy island
Middle of a lake
Central America
Mayan Geography
Central America, Yucatan Peninsula
Mostly fertile soil (lowlands)
Aztec Religion
Polytheistic, nature based
SUN GOD
Adopted gods from other cultures
Human sacrifices, EVERYDAY
Incan Religion
Polytheisitc, nature based
Llamas were sacred
Human sacrifices on holidays (chosen women)
Mayan Religion
Polytheistic, nature based
Sacrificed food and humans (captives)
Blood letting (blood sacrifice)
Aztec Achievements
Version of a calendar
Floating gardens
Engineering (capitol city)
Incan Achievements
Quipu (knotted rope language)
Roads and rope bridges
Terrace farming
Mayan Achievements
Number system
Alphabet
Calendar
Pyramids
Aztec Politics
Emperor
City-states collect taxes to pay emperor for independence
Punishments - death or slavery
Incan Politics
Sapa Inca (Emperor)
Separate city-states
Punishments - Death or loss of limb. No prison
Mayan Politics
Separate city-states with their own king
City-states warring for control
Punishments - death, slavery, fines
Aztec Economy
Cocoa beans - Commodity $
Imports: Food
Exports: Crafts & textiles
Merchants are spies
Incan Economy
Bartering System
No surplus
No merchants or marketplaces
Mayan Economy
Cocoa beans
Imports: Tools & crafts
Exports: Food
Aztec Social Structure
Top to bottom
Emperor Nobles, priests, gov't officials Farmers/commoners Slaves Flexible - can move up and down in classes
Incan Social Structure
Sapa Inca (emperor) Supreme Council (4 men) Nobles, priests, governors Officials and tax collectors Townspeople/commoners Cannot move within classes
Mayan Social Structure
City-State King Priests Commoners Slaves Semi-flexible - can move around within classes, but with restrictions
