AP World Ch11

1. Characteristics of American civs during post-classic period?
   • Elaborate cultural systems, highly developed agriculture, large urban and poli. units.
   • remained separate from Old World (Europe, Asia, etc)
2. Northern nomadic peoples who entered central Mexico - after decline of Teotihuacan?
   • Toltecs.
3. Capital of Toltecs?
   • Tula (established 968)
4. Relationship between Toltecs and their predecessors?
   • Adopted features of sedentary cultures, but added "strongly militaristic ethic".
5. How long did Toltec empire last?
   • ~968 - 1150. One hundred years.
6. After sack of Tula, where did political power shift?
   • To valley of Mexico— Lake Texcoco.
7. Successors of Toltecs?
   • Aztecs (Mexica).
8. When?
   • Tenochtitlan founded 1325. 1434: created alliance with 2 other city-states.
9. Significance of city-states/political org. in valley of Mexico?
   • Went from association of clans to stratified society under authority of supreme ruler.
   • People "served the Gods"; human sacrifice + war major part of culture.
   • calpulli (kin group) controlled city ward.
10. Cities challenging for dominance at time of Aztec arrival?
    • ??? Chichimec migrants from NW and various sedentary farmers.
11. When did Tenochtitlan emerge as a dominant force?
    • 1428.
12. Results of Aztec rise to power?
    • ??? Expanded practice of human sacrifice.
13. Impact of Aztec expansion and conquest.
    • From a loose association of clans, Aztec society became a stratified society.
14. Characteristics of Aztec religion
    • Three major groups of Gods. (1) fertility, agriculture (Tlaloc, God of rain); (2) creator deities; (3) warfare/sacrifice
15. Central figure of the cult of human sacrifice?
    • Huitzilopochtli
16. Aztec view of history?
    • ???
17. Characteristics of the Aztec capital?
    • A sacred space, rich. Intricate design + construction, Large market, pop. of 150k.
    • Inland location in midst of lake.
18. Chinampas?
    • Floating islands.
19. Nature of Aztec economy?
    • pochteca, special merchant class, specialized in long-distance trade in luxury items.
    • State controlled use and distribution of commodities. Much received from tributes.
20. calpulli?
    • calpulli (kin groups) maintained neighborhood temples and civic buildings.
21. Functions of Aztec kinship groups?
    • Divided into 7 calpulli. Performed important functions like distributing land, org. labor gangs, and maintaining temple and school. Governed by councils of family heads.
22. Aztec social hierarchy?
    • Nobles » Priesthood/Military » Commoners » Laborers (like serfs).
    • Social groups: scribes/artisans/healers, long-distance merchants. Below nobility, but important.
23. Aztec view of marriage and family?
    • Nobles could be polygamous, commoners monogamous.
    • Marriages arranged between lineages. Women subordinate.
24. Life of women— how did it compare to other parts of world?
    • Rights recognized, but subordinate in social/political life.
    • Aztec women able to inherit prop, pass to heirs.
25. Nature of Aztec admin. of subject territories?
    • Conquered territories were often left relatively unchanged under their old rulers as long as they recognized Aztec supremacy and paid tribute.
26. Concept of Inca socialism?
    • The Inca empire was a carefully organized system in which every community collectively contributed to the whole and the state regulated the distribution of resources on the basis of need.
    • Labor turns (mita).
27. Marvin Harris' interpretation?
    • Inca society was hierarchical and had supreme ruler. State extracted labor from subject communities.
28. Differences between Mesoamerican and Andean zones following the breakup of classical states?
    • Climate, geography. (see class notes)
29. Chimor?
    • Coastal kingdom, most powerful state of Andes.
30. Capital of Inca empire?
    • Cuzco.
31. Ruler associated with first creation of Inca empire — 1438?
    • Pachacuti (r. 1438-1471), launched military alliances + campaigns.
32. Split inheritance?
    • Political power goes to next ruler, possessions and land go to descendants to support cult of dead Inca's mummy.
33. Religious practice of Inca— cult of?
    • Temple of the Sun: mummies of past Incas. (Inca did not prohibit worship of local gods.)
    • huaca: "holy shrine"; temples, tombs, caves, rivers, stones, mtns.
34. Use of colonization by Aztecs and Incas?
    • Colonists (mitmaqs), forced transfer to other areas in order to integrate empire.
35. Recognition of local groups and leaders in Aztec empire?
    • curacas: local rulers. Maintained position, given privileges in exchange for loyalty.
36. Andean principle of inheritance?
    • ._. Didn't I do this on #32?
37. Tambos?
    • Way stations on Inca road system; used to support messenger system.
38. Cultural differences between Aztecs and Incas?
    • Incas less bloodthirsty and creepy.
    • No distinct merchant class, more self-sufficient.
39. How did the Incas and Aztecs compare in terms of integration of a centralized empire?

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