Mesoamerica
area stretching from central MExico to northern Honduras; where the first complex societies in the Americas arose
Olmecs
first civilization in southern MExico, the "mother culture" of the area
San Lorenzo
oldest Olmec community from about 1150 BCE
Zapotec
second Central American civilization southwest of Olmecs
Oxaca
valley where the Zapotecs built their civilization
San Jose Magote
main center of Zapotec civilization
Mount Alban
first great urban center of the Zapotecs
For what are the Olmecs remembered?
The Olmecs are remembered for the influences they would have on the later Mayans, especially their arts styles and jaguar motifs. They also left an idea
For what are the Zapotecs remembered?
They contributed a hieroglyphic writing system, a calendar based on the sun's movement and added residential spaces to their urban design.
Mayans
great Mesoamerican civilization after the Olmecs
Tikal
major Mayan city in norther Guatemala
Chichen Itza
another independent city-state, known for its temples
Cacao
bean from which chocolate is derived, often used as currency
Cenote
deep sinkhole at Chichen Itza, where Mayans threw human sacrifices
Glyphs
hieroglyphic symbols developed by the Mayans
Codex
a code book that explained the meaning of the glyphs
Popol Vuh
book of the Mayan creation myth
Totem
an animal or other natural object that serves as a symbol of the unity of clans or other groups of people
What were the main areas of achievement in the Mayan Empire?
-Well-designed city centers
-Trade established through these
-Religion based on human sacrifice
-Used mathematics & astronomy to develop two different calendar systems, using base 20
-Developed picture language
-Recorded their creation story in the book,
Why did the Mayan civilization collapse?
Invaders disrupted trade, and over-farming may have led to shortages and ultimately famine. The Mayans were in a weakened state when the Spanish arrived.
How did religion affect the Mayan civilization?
Their astronomy and mathematics, which resulted in a calendar, were used as tools in religion, to identify accurately the time of religious celebrations. Their practice of human sacrifice shaped their attitudes toward captives and even their own people.
Topiltzin
Toltec ruler who tried to change Toltec religion- stop human sacrifice!
Montezuma II
emperor of Aztecs- weakened empire
Teotihuacan
City of Gods"; first major civilization of Mexico, became the center of a thriving trade network that extended far into Central America
obsidian
a green or black volcanic glass found in the Valley of Mexico and used to make razor-sharp weapons
Toltecs
the people who ruled central Mexico after Teotihuacan; ruled from their capital of Tula; an extremely warlike people whose empire was based on conquest
Quetzacoatl
God that Topitlzin urged the Toltec people to worship; the Feathered Serpent
Mexica
(the Aztecs then) poor, nomadic people from the harsh deserts of northern Mexico
Aztecs
a people who started out poor and grew to create a massive empire, grounded on human sacrifice and fierce warriors
Huitzilopochti
the god of sun and warfare, who according to Aztec legends, told them to found a city of their own; priests practiced large human sacrifice
Tenochtitlan
the city founded by the Aztecs, became extraordinary urban center
Tlatelolco
economic heart of city; huge market where canoes brought goods from the farthest reaches of the empire
Chinampas
farm plots built on the marshy fringes of the lake- extremely productive, providing the food needed for a huge urban population
Triple Alliance
alliance between the Aztecs, Texcoco, and Tlacopan; alliance became leading power in the Valley of Mexico and gained control over neighboring regions.
On what was Teotihuacan's power and wealth based?
Teotihuacan's power and wealth were based on their trade- they became the center of a thriving trade network. They had a very valuable trade item, obsidian.
What ideas did the Toltecs pass on to later civilizations?
When Topiltzin and his followers were forced into exile on the Yucatan Peninsula, they greatly influenced late-Mayan culture. Also, the legend of Quetzalcoatl followed the greatest empire of Mexico, the Aztecs.
What were the major accomplishments of the Aztecs?
The major accomplishments of the Aztecs were the development of mathematics, the canoe, the highly specialized calendar, and focus on education.
Why were the Aztecs so violent?
The population of native Aztecs was very small compared to the population of the area they controlled. They used this brutal nature to strike fear into the vassal tribes. They knew they could be easily outnumbered if their tribes formed alliances and rebe
Do you think Montezuma II was responsible for the decline of the Aztecs? Why or why not?
I think his rule was a contributing factor- the people disliked his rule and was unhappy. This was not as significant as a breakout of diseases, like a dangerous strain of the Hantavirus.
Capitalism
economic system based on private ownership and the investment of resources, such as money, for profit; European economic revolution increased capitalism
Joint-stock companies
like the modern-day corporation, with investors buying shares of stock in a company & involved a number of people combining their wealth for a common purpose; developed during this period
Mercantilism
economic policy adopted in Europe during this time; theory of mercantilism held that a country's power depended mainly on its wealth, which allowed nations to build strong navies and purchase vital goods; goal - become self-sufficient, not dependent
Favorable balance of trade
according to the theory of mercantilism, a nation could increase its wealth and power by:
1.) Obtaining as much gold and silver as possible
2.) Establish a favorable balance of trade, in which it sold more goods than it bought
Columbian Exchange
the global transfer of foods, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas
What food traveled from the Americas to the rest of the world?
Ships from the Americas brought back a wide array of items that Europeans, Asians, and Africans had never before seen. They included such plants as tomatoes, squash, pineapples, tobacco, and cacao beans (for chocolate). And they included animals such as t
What food and livestock from the rest of the world traveled to the Americas?
Europeans introduced various livestock animals into the Americas. These included horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. Foods from Africa (including some that originated in Asia) migrated west in European ships. They included bananas, black-eyed peas, and yams.
What were some of the effect on European society of the economic revolution that took place in the 16th and 17th centuries?
The economic revolution spurred the growth of towns and the rise of a class of merchants who controlled great wealth. While towns and cities grew in size, much of Europe's population continued to live in rural areas. Although merchants and traders enjoyed