SPICE Chart Topic: AZTEC
Social
Lasted from 1300-1520CE
Aztecs emerged in Mexico
Aztecs were influenced by
the Olmec and Toltec
cultures.
Polytheistic Religion
included the feathered
serpent god named
Quetzalcoatl, the
hummingbird god called
Huitzilopochtli, and the
jaguar god entitled
Tepeyollotli.
Rigid social hierarchy
The Aztecs believed that
the sun drew energy from
human blood, requiring
mass executions.
Rituals involving human
sacrifice in order to please
the gods and executions
were administered by
priests.
Political Interaction Cultural Economic
Aztecs conquered The Aztecs developed mathematics Agrarian based economy
Capital city of neighboring tribes and (number system), the canoe, the using villages and chinampas
Tenochtitlan on Lake decentralized city-states in highly specialized Aztec calendar, (floating man-made islands)
Texcoco . present day Mexico and helpful forms of medicine in food production.
Population of 200,000 At its peak, the Aztec ruled Writing system based on glyphs, Food from chinampas was
people. 10 million people. similar to hieroglyphics transported by canoe year
round and brought to
An elite social class of Created pyramids, great works of villages and city-markets.
militant warriors was architectural engineering.
placed in ranks based on Chinampas increase in
their skill. Pyramids were used for religious land cultivation
rituals.
Commoners were given
simple military training
strong army which
conquered surrounding
city states
Aztecs were a symbol for
powerful authority Means of exchange: cacao
inspiring modern Mexican beans were used as
states. currency; some bartering
was also evident.
Aztecs were conquered by
Cortez in the 1519 at their
capital. (CAM) Cortez
relied on the support of
tribes that had been taken
over by the
Aztec.
SPICE Chart Topic: INCA

Social Political Interaction Cultural Economic

The Incan Empire was Centralized empire
located in the Andes
Mountains; it was the Based in Cuzco- capital
most advanced Andean located in modern day
Peru.
civilization.
Incan Empire rose due its
It included parts of powerful army and
modern day Peru, Chile, growing trade
Bolivia, and Argentina.
Government provided
Existed from around food for its people so
1300 C.E until its that no one starved.
decline in 1536 C.E due
to the invasion of Bureaucracy- allowed
Francisco Pizzaro. central administration
of taxes, census
facilitated by Chasqui,
Important precursor
messengers who
civilizations: Chavin, delivered messages by
Tiawanaku, Moche and running on the exten-sive
Chimu. network of roads and
bridges
(communication via
infrastructure)
Roads- 13,000 miles,  >Weaving and metallurgy
governmental stability were prominent cultural
achievements of the
Interactions focused on Incan
trade among people >Made tools and
within this vast empire weapons from copper
(see the map below) and bronze for their large
professional army. >Used
gold and silver to make
decorations for their
temples and leaders.
>Were able to perform
successful skull surgeries.
>Llama wool and cotton
was used by females to
produce textiles.
>Quipu was used for
recordkeeping.
Technologyeconomic
growth: Widespread
irrigation and terrace
farming allowed
agriculture to flourish.
Major crops consisted
of: corn, sweet
potatoes, squash, and
beans.
>Road networks
encouraged trade of
goods such as gold,
silver, and clay pots.
>Relied heavily on
barter system.

Decline: Francisco Pizarro-

overthrew Incan Empire in
the early 1500s (PIP)
SPICE Chart Topic: MAYA
Social
Populations were generally
small
Very few lived permanently
in the urban centers
Stratified into five groups
The pre-classical era began
near to 2000BCE and lasted
until 300CE
It flourished until 900CE.
The post-classical period
began in 900CE and lasted to
1500CE
Maya settled in the Yucatan
Peninsula in southern Mexico
and dense forests in Guatemala,
Honduras, Belize, and other
parts of southern Mexico
Be able to visualize the location: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Political
>Government based upon
small hierarchy and warring
city states
>Policies that were made by
hereditary rulers
No single king managed to
control a large amount of
land  decentralized and
delegated gov’t (Some
aspects of both) Also could
be considered a theocracy
Due to religious influence
Main city during the classic
period was Tikal.
Temple at Tikal
Interaction
War broke out between
different members of royal
families
Made murals and sculptures
of rulers and leaders
Influenced by the Olmec
(Neolithic, Olmec statutes)
Review: OL’TEO’MA’TOL’AZ
Invented hieroglyphic
writing system.
The map below shows the
Yucatan Peninsula on the
coast of the Gulf of Mexico
Cultural
Heaven was reserved for
those who have been
hanged, sacrificed or died
during childbirth
Hell was for everyone else.
Religious ceremonies
involved dancing,
competition, dramatic
performances, prayer, and
sacrifice, polytheistic
Accurate calendar based on
the movement of the sun
Concept of zero
Economic
Maize production was their
key economic activity
Swidden agriculture/ slash
and burn farming
Irrigation systems
Raised farms so canals could
reach them.
Traded stone tools,
ceramics, salt, obsidian and
more.