Chapter 11 WHAP

A powerful city-state in Central Mexico. (100 B.C.E - 650 C.E) One of the largest cities in MesoAmerica

Raised fields constructed along lake shores in Mesoamerica to increase agriculutral fields. "Floating gardens." 

Mesoamerican civilization concentrated in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and in Guatamala and Honduras, never unified into a single empire. Major contributions were in mathmatics, astronomy, and development of the calander. 

Powerful postclassic empire in central Mexico. Influenced much of Mesoamerica. Aztects claimed ties to this earlier civilization. Military achievements violent rituals. 

Also known as Mexica, created a powerful empire in central Mexico. Forced defeated peoples to provide goods and labor as a tax. Monarchial system. Urban Landscape. 

Capital of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco. It's population was 150,000 before spanish conquest. Is now present day Mexico City

A system in which defeated peoples were forced to pay tax in the form of goods and labor. This forced transer of food, cloth and other goods subsidized the development of large cities. 

Moctezuma II

Important culture of what is now the south-west United States. Culture built Multistory residences and worshipped in subterranean buildings called kivas. 

Form of political organization with rule by a hereditary leader who held power over a collection of villages and towns. Less powerful than kingdoms and empires, based on gift giving and commerical links. 

Andean ineage group or kin based community. 

Andean labor system based on shared obligations to help kinsmen and work on behalf of the ruler and religous organizations. 

Civilization of north coast of Peru. An important Andean civilization that built extensive irrigation networks as well as impressive uran centers dominated by brick temples. 

Capital city and empire centered on the region near lake Titicaca. Increased agricultural productivity. Stone masonry. Disciplined labor force. 

Largest and most powerful Andean empire. Imperial state, "Land of Four corners" Competing military powers. 

System of knotted colored cords used by preliterate Andean peoples to transmit information 

Incan capital, Temple of the sun was located here. 

God of the Aztec relgion. Southern hummingbird. Associated with war and sun. 

The feather serpent, originator of agriculture and the arts. (Teotihuacan religion) 

Also known as shifting agriculture or slash and burn agriculture. uses up soils nutrients forcing farmers to move to more fertile land