What was the first large-scale civilization in North America?
The Mississippian culture, beginning around 700–800s CE in the Mississippi River Valley.
What was the largest Mississippian city?
Cahokia, located in present-day Illinois.
What was the social structure of the Mississippians like?
A rigid class structure ruled by the Great Sun; nobles, priests, commoners, and enslaved people at the bottom.
What type of society did the Mississippians have?
A matrilineal society, where social status was inherited through the mother’s side.
What factors contributed to the decline of Cahokia and Mississippian culture?
Likely flooding, crop failures, collapse of agriculture, and European diseases.
What innovations did the Chaco and Mesa Verde peoples develop?
Chaco: large stone housing with hundreds of rooms.
Mesa Verde: multi-story homes carved into cliffs.
Why did the Chaco and Mesa Verde cultures decline?
Drought and a drier climate in the late 13th century.
What type of political system did the Maya use?
City-states, each ruled by a king; wars fought for tribute and captives
How did Mayans use captives?
As human sacrifices in religious ceremonies
What were major Mayan achievements in science and technology?
Concept of zero, complex writing system, rubber-making, accurate calendar, and observatories
What caused the Mayan decline?
Drought, deforestation, and conflict among city-states.
What was the Aztec capital city and where was it located?
Tenochtitlán, built on an island in Lake Texcoco
What innovations in agriculture did the Aztecs create?
Chinampas (floating gardens), aqueducts, and irrigation systems.
What type of government did the Aztecs have?
A theocracy, led by the emperor (Great Speaker) and supported by priests and nobles
How did the Aztecs maintain power over conquered peoples?
Through a tribute system, demanding goods, labor, and military service.
What role did religion and human sacrifice play in Aztec society?
Worship of many gods (sun, rain, corn); sacrifices of war captives to appease gods and display power.
What caused the decline of the Aztecs?
European diseases, rebellion by subjects, Spanish conquest (1519–1521), and overreliance on sacrifice and tribute.
Who founded the Incan Empire and when?
Pachacuti in 1438, expanded around Cuzco, Peru.
What system did the Incas use instead of tribute?
The mit’a system, requiring labor service (farming, roads, construction).
What was the Inca’s most important god?
Inti, the sun god.
What major achievements did the Inca have in technology and agriculture?
Quipu (knotted string record-keeping), terraces (waru waru), massive road system (Carpa Nan), and advanced masonry.
How did ancestor veneration work in the Inca Empire?
Dead rulers were mummified, continued to “rule,” and retained property and servants.
Why did the Inca decline?
Civil war after Huayna Capac’s death, Spanish conquest (1533), and European diseases.