http://precolumbiancivilizations.pbworks.com/f/1242761
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Spanish Explorers and PreColumbian Civilizations
By: James R. and Ryan S.
http://www.sos.state.nm.us/images/Conquistador.jpg
Standards
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5.2 Identify the three major preColumbian civilizations that existed in
Central and South America (Maya,
Aztec, and Inca) and their locations.
Describe their political structures,
religious practices, and use of slaves.
5.4 Explain why the Aztec and Inca
civilizations declined in the 16th
century.
A. the encounters between Cortez and
Montezuma
B. the encounters between Pizarro
and the Incas
C. the goals of the Spanish
conquistadors
D. the effects of European diseases,
particularly smallpox, throughout the
Western hemisphere
Picture from clip art
Aztecs
They were located in Central
Mexico.
• There capital was Tenochtitlan.
• They were polytheistic which
means they believed in many
gods.
• They controlled other tribes in
the area.
• Used Prisoners Of War as their
slaves.
• They were taken down by
smallpox a disease brought by
the Spanish accidentally.
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/amalitzkego/alexsolorzano/Ancient_Vacations/aztecs/images/
aztec_map.gif
Mayas
• They were located on the
Yucatan Peninsula.
• They had many major
cities which made it hard
for the Spanish to
conquer.
• Did not have as much
gold as the Aztecs and
Incas.
• They were polytheistic
which means the believed
in many gods.
• They had slaves which
could gain freedom.
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/amalitzkego
/alexsolorzano/ancient_vacations/mayas/im
ages/maya_map.gif
Incas
• They were located on the Andes
Mountains.
• Their capital city was Cuzco.
• They were polytheistic which
means they believed in many
gods.
• They had no written language
but used knots as
communication as well as
speaking.
• They practiced animal sacrifice
(Llamas) occasional children
sacrifice.
• They had a civil war between two
different groups to decide king.
• Had 20 million members of their
civilization!
http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/inca
_map.jpg
Cortez
• He conquered the Aztecs.
• The Aztecs thought
Cortez was their god
Quetzalcoatl.
• He destroyed
Tenochtitlan and founded
Mexico City.
• The Aztecs and there
leader welcomed Cortez.
• He came to Mexico in
1519.
• There were other natives
who helped Cortez defeat
Aztecs.
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/100/113/cortez_1_lg.gif
Pizzaro
• He easily took over the
huge empire of the Incas.
• He killed Atahualpa after
Incas paid ransom to free
him.
• He used Inca engineering
to his advantage.
• He traveled with only 180
men!
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/25200/25280/pizarro_2
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How the Spanish Changed Aztec,
Maya, and Inca Life Forever
• They destroyed the Incas
and Aztecs
• The Spanish brought
smallpox to North
America
• They brought their culture
to North America
• They changed many
polytheistic religions to
Christian
Picture from clipart