The+Americas



1) The gods of fertility and the agriculturalcycle. 2) The creator deities - the great gods and goddesses who had brought the universe into being. 3) The cult of warfare and Sacrifice. || Aztecs Summary: The Azecs rise to power came about after the fall of the Toltecs. The Aztecs were a remarcable new society in the Americas like no other society we've read about. Their unique cultural and religious ways seperate them from Classical European, African and Asian societies. Knowns as servants of the gods, the Aztecs had unusual religious views such as human sacrifice and an admiration for the human heart and blood. Captives of war were used as sacrifice to their gods. Their religion surrounded 3 major cults: 1) The gods of fertility and the agriculturalcycle, 2) The creator deities - the great gods and goddesses who had brought the universe into being, 3) The cult of warfare and Sacrifice. Much of intelectual philosophies surrounded the theme of creation. Often, their art and poetry were filled with images of flowers, birds, and songs. Perhaps one of their greatest achievements was their ingenius system of chinampas they created which helped boost their economy and provide food for their people. They used cacao beans and gold dust as a form of currency which remained for much of their reign. This great society eventually collapsed partially due to noble revolts causing terror eventually leading to thier collapse.
 * ESPIRIT Chart on Aztecs:**
 * =**E**= || __Economic:__
 * Used conquered lands and their food as tribute.
 * Sustained food for the people through chinampas.
 * Through chinampas four corn crops a year were possible.
 * Worked by peasents and provided the basic foods.
 * Cacao beans and gold dust were sometimes used as currency.
 * Great markets operated daily and were run by the middle class a.k.a **porchteca** ||
 * =**S**= || __Social:__
 * Spoke Nahuatl
 * Subjects were forced to pay tribute, surrender land, and sometimes do military service for the growing Aztec Empire.
 * Went from clans to a socciety under the authority of a supreme ruler.
 * Rewrote history to suit them
 * Described as people that served the gods. (Human sacrifice) ||
 * =**P**= || __Political:__
 * Prosperity was brought by serving as mercenaries and allies, especially to the ruler and the warrior nobles. They took the lands of the conquered towns.
 * Tribute payments such as food, slaves, and sacrificial victims, served political and economic ends. ||
 * =**I**= || __Interactions:__
 * "Flower Wars" = both sides obtained captives for sacrifices.
 * Military status was obtained through capturing enemies for sacrifice.
 * People could obtain high status but most nobles were born into that status. ||
 * =**R**= || __Religion:__
 * Turned religious matters (such as the human sacrifice colt) into political terror.
 * Little distinction between the world of the gods and the real world.
 * Woshipped the gods of : rain, fire, water, corn, the sky, and the sun.
 * Wach god had atleast 5 aspects
 * Some gods were believed to be the patrons of specific cities, ethnic groups, or occupations.
 * 3 Major themes or cults -
 * =**I**= || __Cultural & Intelectual:__
 * Much of philosophical thought was devoted to the theme of creation.
 * Had a reputation as tough warriors and fanitical followers of their gods
 * Nezhualcoyotl's poetry was written down in the 16th century. Poetry about life after death
 * Aztec religious art and poetry are filled with images of flowers, birds, and songs.
 * Admired human hearts and blood "precious water" needed to substain the gods. ||
 * =**T**= || __Technology:__
 * Aztecs adopted ingenius system of agriculture called chinampas.
 * Allowed water to reach all the plants. ||


 * ESPIRIT Chart on Incas:**
 * =**E**= || __Economic:__
 * =**S**= || __Social:__
 * Between 9 and 13 million people of different ethnic backgrounds and languages came under Inca rule.
 * Magnificent Temple of the sun is where mummies were kept.
 * peoples were expected to take turns working on state and church lands.
 * Women were required to weave high quality cloth for the court and for religious purposes. ||
 * =**P**= || __Political:__
 * Political and social life was fused with religion.
 * People depended on the state for goods. they could not easily supply. ||
 * =**I**= || __Interactions:__
 * Expanded greatly in a matter of 100 years.
 * Initil leaders quickly expanded empire.
 * Conquered peoples were inisted in the army. ||
 * =**R**= || __Religion:__
 * Ancestory was extremely important to the Incas.
 * Rulers were mummified and offered foods and gifts. Also consulted on important matters by special oracles.
 * Split inheritance: political power to succesor - palaces,wealth,alnd, possesions to male descendants.
 * Held the sun to be the highest diety.
 * Mountains, stones, rivers, caves, tombs, and temple were considered huacas, religious shrines.
 * These places offerings and human sacrifices were made. ||
 * =**I**= || __Cultural & Intelectual:__
 * Split inheritance created a demand for land expansion.
 * Spread the Quechua language. ||
 * =**T**= || __Technology:__
 * Complex road system was uilt throughout the empire.
 * Incas had more than 10,000 tambos. ||
 * Incas had more than 10,000 tambos. ||

Incas Summary: