Vocab Flashcard 25

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Land between the U.S. and South America

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Mesoamerica

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A self-governing region (state) with a city and surrounding territory.

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City-State

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Highest social class in society

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Aristocracy

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Associations of merchants or craftsmen with shared interests from medieval times.

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Guilds

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Eastern Woodland Indians, including Iroquoian and Algonquian speakers, farmed and hunted, relying on the 'three sisters' (corn, beans, squash). They lived in longhouses and wigwams, wore animal hide clothing, bartered, and held spiritual beliefs about the spirit in all things, passing stories orally through generations.

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Northeast Indians

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Advanced Mesoamerican culture excelling in math, astronomy, and arts. Society had classes; polytheistic with religious festivals. Developed astronomy, a calendar, and used 'slash and burn' farming. Created elaborate cities.

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Maya

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Central Mexico's civilization with an emperor, strict laws, and a social hierarchy of nobles, commoners, serfs, and slaves. They worshipped many gods, built temples, and practiced human sacrifice. Known for chinampas, pyramids, and a calendar system.

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Aztec

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Located in South America, known as the 'Children of the Sun'. Master builders with expertise in architecture, mathematics, and agriculture. No writing system; history preserved through storytelling. Central government led by Sapa Inca. Strict laws and harsh punishments. Organized into family units; royal families ruled. Polytheistic, believed emperor descended from sun god. Mummified dead. Invented terrace farming, froze food, and captured rain for irrigation.

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Inca

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Economic policy to increase wealth through colonies.

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Mercantilism

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Period from 1450 to 1700 when European nations competed for wealth and power, seeking trade routes to China and India, leading to the discovery of the Americas.

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Age of Exploration