MAI:
Government &
Rulers
Red – copy word for word
Yellow – put in own words
Green – follow along &
discuss (notes not necessary)
Geography Review
 Describe
the geography of the Mayans,
Aztecs, & Incas



Mayans – Yucatan Peninsula: mountain
regions, lowland areas, rainforests
Aztecs – Valley of Mexico: swampy lake
between high mountains, little wood or
stone for building
Incas – Andes Mountains & Cuzco Valley:
mountains, rainforests, & deserts
 How
did geography & climate influence
the Mayans, Aztecs, & Incas?
Mayans: Background
 Hieroglyphic
writing
system
 Remembered for
codices, number
system, & advances in
astronomy
Mayans: Government
 No
central ruler
 Independent city-states

Fought each other to
expand rule & gain
riches
 Pacal
II – ruled citystate of Palenque for
almost 70 years &
started massive
building program
Aztecs: Background
 Started
as nomads
who settled in
Valley of Mexico
 Worked as
mercenaries for
other city-states
Aztecs: Government
 Built
capital at Tenochtitlan
 Expanded lands through alliances & war
 Demanded tribute from defeated people
 Went to war to get prisoners for slaves & sacrifices
Incas: Background
 Inca
peoples settled in Cuzco Valley
 Pachacuti led Incas & conquered neighbors to
expand empire
Incas: Government
 Empire
connected by road
network & chasquis
 Rulers required people to
work for the government for
the part of every year
 Didn’t have written
language or money