Short answer Flashcards
What methods did the Incans use to unify their large empire?
The incas forced conquered people to speak the same language, Quechua. They also connected all parts of the empire with a vast system of roads and messengers. The government kept careful control over it’s jets and used a strong military to put down rebellions.
Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the Andean climate for the Incas
The Andes were cold and dry and their high altitude can make breathing difficult. The terrain is also steep and rocky. However, the Incas had access to the resources of the rain forest to the east of the Andes, as well as access to domesticated animals such as llamas and alpacas. The climate in much of the area was also suitable for farming.
How did the Incans overcome the challenges of created a civilization in the Andes?
The Incas built terraces and used irrigation to enable farming on steep hillsides, creates a sophisticated system of roads and bridges to allow movement through the mountains, and constructed stone buildings capable of resisting earthquakes
Why do scholars use the term “hierarchy” to describe Incan society?
The Incas divided their society into Nobles and Commoners, arranged from the highest ranks to the lowest. Commoners were divided into categories based on their age, and gender, with each category having a special duties. Such as ranking is the basis of heisrchy.
How were Incan art and religion connected to their religion (?)
The room art God of the Inca was Inti, the Simon God. The Incas studied the movements of the sun, moon, stars and planets, which were linked to their gods and myths. They believed that gold and silver, which they used in their metalwork, were tied to the sun and moon, respectively. They also developed calendars that helped them decide when to hold religious festivals.
What were the challenges and advantages of setting in the lowlands of Mesoamerica?
The lowlands regions had a hot, wet climate that supported a dense rain forest. This meant there was little open land available for farming and that the soil was poor. However, the lowlands had abundant rainfall and valuable plant and animal resources, such as quetzal bird with its prized feathers. Agriculture was possible with slash-and-burn methods.
How were religion and the government of the Maya connected?
Only nobles could become priests and many nobles were priests. In addition, the majority of kings served as priests before taking office. Both priests and kings were responsible for carrying out rituals that the Maya felt were nessicary to keep the universe in balance. Common people believed that priests and kings could communicate with the gods. This gave the Kings nobility power, because people feared the displeasure of the gods.
How did the first civilizations of Mesoamerica influence the Maya?
The immediate predecessors of the Maya were the Zapotec with the Olmec civilization existing before them. The Olmecs developed slash-and-burn agriculture and built cities out of stone, a method that the Maya adopted. The Zapotecs developed what may have been the first writing system un the Americas. I Ethan might ha e inspired the Amaya hieroglyphics
What role did warfare play in Aztec society and history?
The Aztecs used military conquest to build their empire. Following the initial conquest, they used recurring small wars to intimidate rivals i roofers ig tribute and to collect prisoners for the human sacrifices that were a key part of Aztec religion. In spite or perhaps because of their warlike nature, the Aztec empire faced many revolts.
How did the Aztecs apply their engineering skills to the challenges of living on an island?
The Aztecs used their engineering talent to control the flow of water, first by building a dike to hold back lake Texcoco and then by creating an aqueduct to bring fresh water to the city of Tenochtitlan. They also built the artificial islands known as china pas to create more farmland to help feed the huge city. In addition, they built causeways to connect the city to mainland.
Compare the power of the Aztec king of Tenochtitlan to that of the other members of the triple alliance.
Under the triple alliance, the Aztec king of Tenochtitlan shared some power with the kings of tlacopan and Texcoco, neighboring cities along the lake. They supported each other with soldiers and collected tribute from lesser city-states that they conquered. After 1428, however, Tenochtitlan’s king became the most powerful member of the triple alliance, making all the decisions having to do with war or conquest. .
Contrast the lifestyles of the Aztec nobles with those of Aztec commoners.
Aztec nobles lived in large houses, ate good food, and often owned slaves. Most commoners were farmers who lived in small homes and ate simple foods. A few were artisans who Mande fine craft goods such as feathered artworks, while the wealthiest commoners were traders who traveled around the empire.
Why might Europeans have been impressed with the Aztec Capitol of Tenochtitlan?
The city was very large and at the center of an area populated by about one million people. It was surrounded by artifice islands that provided extra farmland and had ,any bridges and canals to move goods in and out of the city. Within the city itself, were magnificent buildings, including a Great Temple surrounded by palaces and temples in a large central plaza.
What is the Maya code?
Complex form of hieroglyphics
What was the most sacred thing that could be offered to the gods?
Human blood.
