MESOAMERICAN INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTION

Mesoamerica – it refers to a geographical and cultural area which extends from central Mexico down through Central
America, including the territory which is now made up of the countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.
It is therefore seen as partly in North America, and encompassing a large part of Central America.

MESOAMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS
▲ Geography and People
- The first great American civilization
- Region includes Central Mexico through Central America
- The people farmed and grew corn, beans, squash, sweet potatoes, peppers and tomatoes
- Farmers also domesticated animals

The Olmec Empire (1400-500 BC)

- The first major Mesoamerican civilization
- Developed in the tropical rain forests of Mexico’s gulf coast
- They invented a calendar and system of writing made up of carved inscriptions
- Strongly devoted to religion and priests were highly respected

Mayan Empire (AD 300-900)

- Complex agricultural society
- Established large city sales
- Farming and Trade – most people were farmers. Men farmed while the women turned the crops into food. Farmers paid
taxes in foodstuffs to support the city state
- Religion was very significant and priests were well respected. Priest were the only who could conduct ceremonies and
rituals that the Mayas believes would ensure bountiful harvests and victories in battle
- Mayan Social structure
~ Ruling Chief
~ Nobles (Military and Government Officials)
~ Merchants and Artisans
~ Farmers

Mayan Contributions
Architecture – built large pyramids and palaces
Agriculture – grew enough food to support larg populations
Science – developed a hieroglyphic style of writing, a accurate calendar, number system, and understood the concept of
zero

Mayan Decline
Around 900AD, the Mayas abandoned their cities for unknown reasons. Historians speculate that possible cause for the
decline may have been warfare, overpopulation, famine, or natural disaster
Aztec Empire (1200)
- Settled into Mexico in the late 1200 and established their capital in Tenochtitlan
- Fierce warriors using military conquest and alliance to build a huge empire
- Aztec Empire became very wealthy from collecting taxes from conquered people
- By 1500’s, the empire covered most of Mexico and included approx. 30 million people

Social Structure of Aztecs

- Aztec were ruled by a single emperor chosen by a council of priests and nobles
- Nobility
- Traders (also acted as military socuts)
- Farmers
- Slaves

Aztec Religion
- Priests were highly respected individuals
- Chief god was the sun god
- To please their gods, the Aztecs offered thousands of human sacrifices

Aztec Contributions
- Developed and accurate calendar and established schools
- Doctors learned to set broken bones and dentist learned to treat dental cavities
- Architecture – “The capital” was built on the site of the present day of Mexico City. The city began as two small islands
on Lake Texaco. Engineers filled in parts of the lake and built bridges to connect the city to mainland

Incas Empire (1400’s)

- In 1400’s the Incas emerged from the Andes Mountains and conquered a large area that extend over 2500 miles down
the Pacific Coast
- The Incas were ruled by an emperor who held absolute power and also acted as chief religious leader and the son of the
Sun God
- Capital was located at Cuzco
- The government controlled the lives of the people within their empire, everyone has to speak the Incan language and
worship Incan gods

Incan Roads
- Incan built a large and elaborate system of roads
- Runners used these roads to carry new to far off provinces and the capital
- Often compared to the Roman system of roads

Religion
- Worshipped many gods related to the forces of nature
- Sun God was the most important
- Priest were very powerful members of society
Incan Contributions
- Engineering – a system of roads that extend over 12,000 miles and included bridges and tunnels
- Temple of the Sun - built in the capital, it was so strong it could withstand the power of major earthquakes
- Agriculture – terrace farming used in mountainous regions
- Communication – Incan government officials kept records by means of a knotted, colored string system called
quipus
- Incans also excelled in medicine