Unit 4 Week 4
AMERICAS
The Americas:
Pre-Columbian Civilizations and European Encounter
Aztec Empire's Architectural Marvels:
Tenochtitlán's Engineering: The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, built on an island in Lake Texcoco had networks of canals and causeways, floating gardens, grand temples and a massive population.
Templo Mayor: At the heart of Tenochtitlán stood the Templo Mayor, a massive double pyramid dedicated to the gods of rain and war.
Moctezuma II's Reign:
Expansion and Power: Under Moctezuma II’s divine rule, the Aztec Empire reaches its peak as it controls vast territories through a complex tribute system.
Fateful Encounter: Moctezuma's initially treats the Conquistador Hernan Cortes as a potential god, contributing to Aztec downfall.
Maya Civilization's Scientific Achievements:
Astronomy and Mathematics: The Maya excel in sciences, creating an intricate calendar systems, reflecting their deep understanding of celestial cycles and time.
Economic Foundations:
Indigenous Trade and Tribute
Empires of Exchange: Notable for their extensive trade network, the Aztecs and Maya impressed the Spanish with the variety and scale of goods at market.
Aztec Tribute Mastery: After subjugating city-states, the Aztecs demanded an elaborate tribute, including hundreds of costumes and precious metals from the conquered peoples.
Maya Resource Management: The Maya's network of city-states, each contributing to the larger economy, was evident in elaborate trade goods from distant lands in local markets.
Autonomy in Trade: The indigenous continued to use traditional barter systems even under Spanish rule.
Subversion through Tribute: The Inca, while outwardly giving the Spanish tribute, would secretly gather and redistribute resources in the traditional Inca manner.
They managed to maintain a parallel economy.
Imperial Ambitions:
Aztec and Spanish Strategies
Aztec Empire's Approach:
Strategic Expansion: The Aztec Empire's expansion was marked by military might nd shrewd alliances, such as the Triple Alliances, formed with Texcoco and Tlacopan.
Their tribute system demanded goods and labor from conquered territories.
Cultural Imposition: The Aztecs integrated their culture and religion into conquered areas, often symbolized by constructing massive pyramids and temples.
Spanish Colonial Tactics:
Cortés' Maneuvers: Hernán Cortés skillfully exploited rivalries within Aztec Empire, allying with the Tlaxcalans, traditional enemies of the Aztecs.
Administrative Control: The Spanish established control through systems like encomienda.
Legacy of Empires:
Global Impact of Spanish Conquest: The Spanish conquest shaped global trade with the influx of American silver into Europe and Asia, marking a new global era.
Economic Shifts:
Indigenous Labor and Resources
Transformation Under Spanish Rule:
Encomienda and Repartimiento Systems: These used harsh conditions to enslave the indigenous.
Resource Exploitation: Aggressive resource exploitation lead to environmental and health problems.
Indigenous Response and Adaptation:
Resilience in Labor: Indigenous communities developed coping mechanisms, such as slowing work and maintaining communal work traditions where possible.
Sustainable Practices Overturned: Pre-conquest societies had sustainable resource management, disrupted by a focus on extraction and exportation.
Impact on Emerging Economies:
Foundation for Capitalism: The exploitation of labor and resources in the Americas played a crucial role in the development of global capitalist economies.
The wealth extracted from the Americas financed European empires and fueled global trade networks.
Long-Term Economic Effects: Forced integration of the indigenous led to a dependency on European goods.
Unit 4 Week 4
AMERICAS
The Americas:
Pre-Columbian Civilizations and European Encounter
Aztec Empire's Architectural Marvels:
Tenochtitlán's Engineering: The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, built on an island in Lake Texcoco had networks of canals and causeways, floating gardens, grand temples and a massive population.
Templo Mayor: At the heart of Tenochtitlán stood the Templo Mayor, a massive double pyramid dedicated to the gods of rain and war.
Moctezuma II's Reign:
Expansion and Power: Under Moctezuma II’s divine rule, the Aztec Empire reaches its peak as it controls vast territories through a complex tribute system.
Fateful Encounter: Moctezuma's initially treats the Conquistador Hernan Cortes as a potential god, contributing to Aztec downfall.
Maya Civilization's Scientific Achievements:
Astronomy and Mathematics: The Maya excel in sciences, creating an intricate calendar systems, reflecting their deep understanding of celestial cycles and time.
Economic Foundations:
Indigenous Trade and Tribute
Empires of Exchange: Notable for their extensive trade network, the Aztecs and Maya impressed the Spanish with the variety and scale of goods at market.
Aztec Tribute Mastery: After subjugating city-states, the Aztecs demanded an elaborate tribute, including hundreds of costumes and precious metals from the conquered peoples.
Maya Resource Management: The Maya's network of city-states, each contributing to the larger economy, was evident in elaborate trade goods from distant lands in local markets.
Autonomy in Trade: The indigenous continued to use traditional barter systems even under Spanish rule.
Subversion through Tribute: The Inca, while outwardly giving the Spanish tribute, would secretly gather and redistribute resources in the traditional Inca manner.
They managed to maintain a parallel economy.
Imperial Ambitions:
Aztec and Spanish Strategies
Aztec Empire's Approach:
Strategic Expansion: The Aztec Empire's expansion was marked by military might nd shrewd alliances, such as the Triple Alliances, formed with Texcoco and Tlacopan.
Their tribute system demanded goods and labor from conquered territories.
Cultural Imposition: The Aztecs integrated their culture and religion into conquered areas, often symbolized by constructing massive pyramids and temples.
Spanish Colonial Tactics:
Cortés' Maneuvers: Hernán Cortés skillfully exploited rivalries within Aztec Empire, allying with the Tlaxcalans, traditional enemies of the Aztecs.
Administrative Control: The Spanish established control through systems like encomienda.
Legacy of Empires:
Global Impact of Spanish Conquest: The Spanish conquest shaped global trade with the influx of American silver into Europe and Asia, marking a new global era.
Economic Shifts:
Indigenous Labor and Resources
Transformation Under Spanish Rule:
Encomienda and Repartimiento Systems: These used harsh conditions to enslave the indigenous.
Resource Exploitation: Aggressive resource exploitation lead to environmental and health problems.
Indigenous Response and Adaptation:
Resilience in Labor: Indigenous communities developed coping mechanisms, such as slowing work and maintaining communal work traditions where possible.
Sustainable Practices Overturned: Pre-conquest societies had sustainable resource management, disrupted by a focus on extraction and exportation.
Impact on Emerging Economies:
Foundation for Capitalism: The exploitation of labor and resources in the Americas played a crucial role in the development of global capitalist economies.
The wealth extracted from the Americas financed European empires and fueled global trade networks.
Long-Term Economic Effects: Forced integration of the indigenous led to a dependency on European goods.