Mesoamerican Civilizations

Geographical Locations and Main Activities

• Aztec civilization: Located in Central Mexico, focused on agriculture, trade, and expansion through conquests
• Maya civilization: Occupied southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, emphasized astronomy, mathematics, and architecture
• Inca civilization: Spanned modern-day Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador, centered on road networks, agriculture, and imperial administration

Writing Systems

• Mayan writing system: Featured hieroglyphics, used to record astronomical observations, mathematical calculations, and historical events
• Aztec writing system: Employed pictograms and phonetic symbols, served for recording calendars, histories, and myths
• Key difference: Mayan writing system was more complex and focused on scientific and mathematical knowledge, while Aztec writing was more focused on mythology and historical events

Kipu in Inca Civilization

• Kipu: A system of knotted strings used for record-keeping, communication, and data storage
• Role: Kipu played a crucial role in Inca administration, tax collection, and census-taking
• Decipherability: Still a mystery due to the lack of surviving Inca texts and the complexity of the kipu system

Timeline of Mesoamerican Civilizations

• Maya civilization: Flourished from 2000 BCE to 1500 CE, with a classic period from 200 CE to 900 CE
• Aztec civilization: Emerged around 1325 CE and fell to the Spanish in 1521 CE
• Inca civilization: Developed around 1200 CE and was conquered by the Spanish in 1532 CE
• Historical development: Reflects the rise and fall of city-states, the expansion of empires, and interactions through trade, warfare, and cultural exchange

Development and Expansion of the Aztec Empire

• Significant developments: Construction of Tenochtitlán, the emergence of the Mexica tribe, and the expansion of the empire through alliances and conquests
• Expansion: Aztecs expanded their influence through a combination of military campaigns, strategic alliances, and the establishment of tributary systems

Spanish Impact on the Inca Civilization

• Initial impact: Devastation caused by the introduction of new diseases, such as smallpox, which decimated the Inca population
• Conquest: The Spanish conquest led by Francisco Pizarro, resulting in the capture and execution of the Inca emperor, Atahualpa
• Challenges faced by the Spanish: Adapting to the high altitude, coping with the harsh climate, and overcoming the resistance of the native population

Establishment of the Spanish Empire

• Establishment: The Spanish Empire became the world's largest, multi-ethnic empire through its conquests in the Americas, Africa, and Asia
• Notable achievements of the Incas: Development of road networks, terracing, and irrigation systems, as well as their achievements in astronomy and mathematics

Cultural Practices and Technologies Introduced by the Inca Civilization

• Cultural practices: Introduced agricultural terracing, road networks, and textile production
• Technologies: Developed irrigation systems, architecture, and metalwork
• Long-term impact: The Spanish exploitation of resources led to the depletion of natural resources, the displacement of native populations, and the transformation of the regional ecosystem