Topic 6 American Civilizations

What was one factor that may have caused Mayan cities to fall into ruin between 800 and 1000 CE?

• The Aztec invaded Mayan cities from the Mexican central highlands.

• The Spanish conquered the Maya.

• Mayan buildings were poorly constructed and deteriorated from exposure to the elements.

• An erosion of confidence in leadership due to drought and food shortages caused people to move away.

Why did the Aztec engage in frequent human sacrifice?

• As a means of punishment to keep people from breaking the law or disobeying the king.

• To keep their sun god, Huitzilopochtli, strong.

• To punish their enemies captured in war.

• To satisfy the water god, Chac, who would provide rain for crops.

Why did Mayan commoners seek to please priests and nobles?

• They were afraid of being sacrificed to the gods.

• They believed priests and nobles could communicate with the gods.

• They believed priests and nobles were gods in human form.

• They depended on priests and nobles to supply them with food.

The Inca used (a)   which allowed the government to collect taxes in the form of physical labor.

Why were the Aztecs able to take control of the basin known as the Valley of Mexico?

• They were the first people to settle in the area.

• They built a strong defense that protected Lake Texcoco from invasion.

• They had a powerful army that allowed them to conquer their neighbors.

• They produced trade goods that made them wealthy.

Which type of agricultural technique did both the Maya and Olmec use to farm in the tropical lowlands?

(a)  

How have modern scholars learned much of their information about the Maya?

• Through the study of their elaborate calendars

• Through their oral tradition which prized public speakers and poets

• Through the study of the glyphs used to convey ideas and their history

• Through the study of pictographs in codices

The building and use of observatories allowed the Maya to develop (a)   .

Which of following was used to by the Inca to keep records and allowed official messengers to convey information across the empire?

• chinampas

• quipu

• ayllu

• stelea

• codices

Which statements describe features of Aztec government? Choose the TWO correct answers.

• The Aztec king formed an alliance with other kings.

• The common people enjoyed relative freedom.

• Priests made all decisions, especially relating to war.

• Members of the nobility had a say in selecting the king in the Supreme Council.