Americas Flashcards

(23 cards)

1
Q

What was the first large-scale civilization in North America?

A

The Mississippian culture, beginning around 700–800s CE in the Mississippi River Valley.

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2
Q

What was the largest Mississippian city?

A

Cahokia, located in present-day Illinois.

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3
Q

What was the social structure of the Mississippians like?

A

A rigid class structure ruled by the Great Sun; nobles, priests, commoners, and enslaved people at the bottom.

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4
Q

What type of society did the Mississippians have?

A

A matrilineal society, where social status was inherited through the mother’s side.

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5
Q

What factors contributed to the decline of Cahokia and Mississippian culture?

A

Likely flooding, crop failures, collapse of agriculture, and European diseases.

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6
Q

What innovations did the Chaco and Mesa Verde peoples develop?

A

Chaco: large stone housing with hundreds of rooms.
Mesa Verde: multi-story homes carved into cliffs.

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7
Q

Why did the Chaco and Mesa Verde cultures decline?

A

Drought and a drier climate in the late 13th century.

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8
Q

What type of political system did the Maya use?

A

City-states, each ruled by a king; wars fought for tribute and captives

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9
Q

How did Mayans use captives?

A

As human sacrifices in religious ceremonies

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10
Q

What were major Mayan achievements in science and technology?

A

Concept of zero, complex writing system, rubber-making, accurate calendar, and observatories

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11
Q

What caused the Mayan decline?

A

Drought, deforestation, and conflict among city-states.

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12
Q

What was the Aztec capital city and where was it located?

A

Tenochtitlán, built on an island in Lake Texcoco

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13
Q

What innovations in agriculture did the Aztecs create?

A

Chinampas (floating gardens), aqueducts, and irrigation systems.

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14
Q

What type of government did the Aztecs have?

A

A theocracy, led by the emperor (Great Speaker) and supported by priests and nobles

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15
Q

How did the Aztecs maintain power over conquered peoples?

A

Through a tribute system, demanding goods, labor, and military service.

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16
Q

What role did religion and human sacrifice play in Aztec society?

A

Worship of many gods (sun, rain, corn); sacrifices of war captives to appease gods and display power.

17
Q

What caused the decline of the Aztecs?

A

European diseases, rebellion by subjects, Spanish conquest (1519–1521), and overreliance on sacrifice and tribute.

18
Q

Who founded the Incan Empire and when?

A

Pachacuti in 1438, expanded around Cuzco, Peru.

19
Q

What system did the Incas use instead of tribute?

A

The mit’a system, requiring labor service (farming, roads, construction).

20
Q

What was the Inca’s most important god?

A

Inti, the sun god.

21
Q

What major achievements did the Inca have in technology and agriculture?

A

Quipu (knotted string record-keeping), terraces (waru waru), massive road system (Carpa Nan), and advanced masonry.

22
Q

How did ancestor veneration work in the Inca Empire?

A

Dead rulers were mummified, continued to “rule,” and retained property and servants.

23
Q

Why did the Inca decline?

A

Civil war after Huayna Capac’s death, Spanish conquest (1533), and European diseases.