Unit 8 The Americas

A study of the Incan, Aztec, and Mayan agricultural systems would show that these civilizations—

• Relied on mechanized agricultural techniques

• Carried on extensive trade in wheat with each other

• Relied on a single economy

• Adapted to their environments with creative farming techniques

The Mayan calendar, the Incan roads, and the Aztec temples illustrate that pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas—

• Traded extensively with Africa

• Made advances in math and science

• Declined because of invasion and disease

• Converted to Christianity

What did the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations have in common?

• They constructed large religious temples of stone.

• They were located in dense rainforests.

• They cultivated wheat as their main food crop.

• They worshipped the same God as Europeans.

What practice was commonplace in Incan society?

• the cultivation of corn

• the herding of cattle and sheep

• the use of quipu to keep records and send messages

• improved techniques for riding horses

Which of the following is true of Aztec society?

• Had a government similar to socialism, where the govt. controlled the land and economy

• Ruled using the tribute system, where conquered people could govern themselves, but they had to pay a tax

• Created first mathematical system in Americas to aid in building and organization of cities

• Had an extensive road system that connected the empire

What was an important similarity between the Aztecs and the Incas?

• They each developed cash-crop farming

• They each based individual wealth on the ownership of slaves.

• They each adapted to difficult physical environments.

• They each practiced monotheistic religions.

A study of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations of Latin America would show that these civilizations—

• Were relatively large, but not well organized

• Established extensive trade with pacific rim nations

• Were strongly influenced by their contact with Asian and African civilizations

• Developed advanced societies before the arrival of Europeans

• The Mayas divided the Yucatan into 19 regions. Each region was controlled by a chief with the title of “Ahau.”

• The Incas obeyed the Sapa Inca, their supreme ruler.

• The Aztecs were governed by an absolute emperor.

What do the facts above reveal about the Maya, Inca and Aztec civilizations?

• All three civilizations were ruled by an Ahau.

• The Mayas had the most democratic Pre-Columbian civilization.

• Power was more centralized under the Aztecs and Inca than under the Maya.

• The Mayas, Incas and Aztecs were each governed by a single, all-powerful ruler.

Knowledge and understanding of celestial bodies by the ____________was advanced for their time. For example, they knew how to predict solar eclipses. They also used astronomical cycles to aid in planting and harvesting, and they developed two calendars and a writing system that were very precise. Historians think that the ___________were producing rubber products 3,000 years ago.

Which of the following completes the excerpt?

• Olmecs

• Aztecs

• Mayans

• Incas

Which phrase best completes the sentence?

Early Latin American civilizations—

• were based on European societies

• used technology to build complex structures

• incorporated early Roman architectural design

• were strongly influenced by Renaissance humanism