The document summarizes several major pre-Columbian civilizations in Latin America, including the Aztec, Maya, and Inca Empires. The Aztec Empire ruled over surrounding city-states from 1200-1521 CE and had a complex agricultural system and hierarchical society based on tribute, fear, and human sacrifice until being conquered by Hernan Cortes. The Maya occupied southern Mexico and Central America from 400 BC to 900 CE, known for ritual bloodletting and sacrifice before mysteriously collapsing. The Inca Empire expanded across western South America from 1000-1532 CE through a large army, advanced infrastructure, and a common language until being conquered by Francisco Pizarro.

1. Amerindian CivilizationsAmerindian Civilizations
in Latin Americain Latin America
AP World History
West Hills High School

3. • 100s of different
culture groups
each speaking
their own
language, living
by own customs
• Nonsedentary,
semisedentary,
and fully
sedentary (Aztec,
Maya, and Inca
Empires) peoples

4. Aztec Empire (1200-1521)
• Last in a series of cultures to develop in the
Valley of Mexico (Tenochtitlan)
• Nahuatl-speaking group known as the
Mexica (where word “Mexico” originated)
• Complex system of agriculture based on
irrigation (chinampas)

5. Aztec Empire (1200-1521)
• Collected tribute from surrounding city-states
(food, clothing, weapons, precious metals
and gems, slaves, sacrificial victims)
• Hierarchical society: (King, priests &
nobility, peasants, slaves)
• Empire based on fear and human sacrifice
• 1521 conquered by Hernando Cortez and his
men

6. Tenochtitlan
View of Pyramid of the Moon and Sun, Tenochtitlan

9. Green = hope, fertility of the soil
White = purity
Red = blood shed during independence

10. Mayan Empire (400 BC-900 AD)
• Occupied lower Mesoamerica (“People of
the Corn”)
• Fierce warriors, ritualistic bloodletting and
human sacrifice
• Sudden collapse in 900 CE
– Military defeats
– Crop failure
– Overpopulation

11. Tikal

15. “Every culture looks different from the inside than it does from the outside.”

16. Inca Empire (1000-1532 AD)
• Ruled over people from 100s of different tribes
• Maintained control through:
– Large army
– Advanced agriculture, building & engineering
methods (especially roads and bridges)
– Common language (Quechua)
• Conquered by Francisco Pizarro in 1532

17. Similarities?
• Rigid class system (stratified)
• Polytheistic
• Extensive trade networks
• Human sacrifice
• Tribute & constant warfare
• Advanced mathematics, calendars, and
astronomy - why?