The Five Themes of World History
Human-Environmental Interactions
This fossilized maize is a prime example of the interaction between humans and the environment. Mesoamerican societies depended on the cultivation of maize, sometimes causing relocation. Corn fed large numbers, allowing population to expand which in turn impacted the land.
The Inca settled in the highlands of Peru, The Aztecs in Mexico, and the Mayan assimilated themselves in the Mexican peninsula.
Smallpox raged through the cities at the arrival of the English settlers in the Americas wiping out tens of thousands of people.
The Inca settled in the highlands of Peru, The Aztecs in Mexico, and the Mayan assimilated themselves in the Mexican peninsula.
Smallpox raged through the cities at the arrival of the English settlers in the Americas wiping out tens of thousands of people.
Development and Interactions of Cultures
The pre-columbiam societies of Central and South America recognized many gods, many inspired by Olmec beliefs. Several important deities of the Aztec and Maya were the creator Quetzaloatl or Kukulkan, the feathered serpent, and deities of harvest and rain. This is a statue of Mictlantecuhtl, god of the underworld.
It is believed that sacrifices were made as a part of the religious side to the Olmec society. As for the Maya, a tomb of 1-2 year-old infants was discovered in 2005. scenes of sacrifice were also found on the sides of jars in which child hearts were placed as a sacrifice at the time of the start of a calender of other significant event. In the Inca society, children too were chosen for sacrifice as they were seen as being the purest of beings.
The Aztec were scientific thinkers as well as mathematicians. They also made advancements in medicine by the development of salves, drinks, and ointments.
The style of architecture of the Aztec people followed the concept of instead of re-building old structures, they just continued to add layers. Now, the remains of Aztec temple pyramids that were built in this manner are left behind. One building was added onto at least 6 times and at the top, two rooms for sacrificial purposes were built. The Aztecs had many forms of art as well as their architectural styles, some carved stone, others made ornate headdresses for special occasions and/ or for the noblemen. Statues and statuettes like the one above of gods (in this case, the god of the underworld), were a result of the arts-men of the time.
The Inca on the other hand, are known for the precision of their structures. the bricks of stone fit so tight together that no mortar was needed and still, even a sharp knife could not penetrate the cracks. The art of the Inca is different than the Aztec art in the form that they were more accustomed to ceramics and their images depicted detailed mythological scenes.
Maya architecture was distinct in that the pyramids were built so tall, they could be used as landmarks and they served as a constant reminder of the gods. Their art was an expression of politics and their religion.
Although the archaeological examples cannot support it, Maya art shows that writing was done with brushes made with animal hair and quills. Codex-style writing was usually done in black ink with red highlights, giving rise to the Aztec name for the Maya territory as the "land of red and black".
It is believed that sacrifices were made as a part of the religious side to the Olmec society. As for the Maya, a tomb of 1-2 year-old infants was discovered in 2005. scenes of sacrifice were also found on the sides of jars in which child hearts were placed as a sacrifice at the time of the start of a calender of other significant event. In the Inca society, children too were chosen for sacrifice as they were seen as being the purest of beings.
The Aztec were scientific thinkers as well as mathematicians. They also made advancements in medicine by the development of salves, drinks, and ointments.
The style of architecture of the Aztec people followed the concept of instead of re-building old structures, they just continued to add layers. Now, the remains of Aztec temple pyramids that were built in this manner are left behind. One building was added onto at least 6 times and at the top, two rooms for sacrificial purposes were built. The Aztecs had many forms of art as well as their architectural styles, some carved stone, others made ornate headdresses for special occasions and/ or for the noblemen. Statues and statuettes like the one above of gods (in this case, the god of the underworld), were a result of the arts-men of the time.
The Inca on the other hand, are known for the precision of their structures. the bricks of stone fit so tight together that no mortar was needed and still, even a sharp knife could not penetrate the cracks. The art of the Inca is different than the Aztec art in the form that they were more accustomed to ceramics and their images depicted detailed mythological scenes.
Maya architecture was distinct in that the pyramids were built so tall, they could be used as landmarks and they served as a constant reminder of the gods. Their art was an expression of politics and their religion.
Although the archaeological examples cannot support it, Maya art shows that writing was done with brushes made with animal hair and quills. Codex-style writing was usually done in black ink with red highlights, giving rise to the Aztec name for the Maya territory as the "land of red and black".
State-building, Expansion, and Conflict
This cross on atop an Aztec temple symbolizes Spanish expansion through Central and South America. The conquistadors formed new political structures and forms of governance among the indigenous people and their empires. This lead to revolt against the new power which did not end well for the indigenous, depleting populations. This is a prime example of the state-building, expansion, and conflict theme because of this and the regional, transregional and global structure of the new Spanish rule which toppled the indigenous civilizations and created new societies part of the Spanish state.
Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
In the Inca society quipu were used as a counting devices to keep track of
important dates and finances. This is a prime example of the creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems because of its assistance in trade and commerce of dates and currency.
The quipu aided in labor systems, industrialization, and record keeping for agricultural and pastor productions.
important dates and finances. This is a prime example of the creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems because of its assistance in trade and commerce of dates and currency.
The quipu aided in labor systems, industrialization, and record keeping for agricultural and pastor productions.
Development and Transformation of Social Structures
The gender roles of women in all three societies consist of the men taking part in hunting or growing crops while the women were expected to obey their husbands, cook, and bear children, essentially women had low status. This pipe gives a prime example of the role of women in society. From all of the discovered Aztec records, there is no mention of women in authority nor any clue that they were in any way involved in business.
Ethnic construction of the peoples of Southern/Central America is up for debate.
The priests/shamans were treated with high respects because they were believed to have a connection to the gods, if not, descendants from the gods themselves. Sacrificial victims were also treated like royalty. Prior to their execution, they were dressed in fine clothes and prepared in advanced as they were fed the best foods of meat and vegetables.
Ethnic construction of the peoples of Southern/Central America is up for debate.
The priests/shamans were treated with high respects because they were believed to have a connection to the gods, if not, descendants from the gods themselves. Sacrificial victims were also treated like royalty. Prior to their execution, they were dressed in fine clothes and prepared in advanced as they were fed the best foods of meat and vegetables.