The AmericasThe Americas

Ice Age and Land BridgeIce Age and Land Bridge About 15,000 years ago About 15,000 years ago

the world was the world was experiencing the last of experiencing the last of four ice ages. During the four ice ages. During the ice ages water from the ice ages water from the oceans was locked up oceans was locked up into huge pieces of ice into huge pieces of ice called glaciers.called glaciers.

As a result the land that As a result the land that had been under the water had been under the water was uncovered. In the far was uncovered. In the far north a land bridge joined north a land bridge joined Siberia in northeastern Siberia in northeastern Asia to Alaska in North Asia to Alaska in North America.America.

First AmericansFirst Americans The first Americans were The first Americans were

hunters who crossed the land hunters who crossed the land bridge chasing herds of bridge chasing herds of animals. animals.

Over thousands of years they Over thousands of years they moved south looking for better moved south looking for better hunting grounds.hunting grounds.

Hunters hunted the wholly Hunters hunted the wholly mammoth, caribou, bison and mammoth, caribou, bison and antelope.antelope.

The ice age ended about The ice age ended about 10,000 years ago when the 10,000 years ago when the glaciers melted and released glaciers melted and released water back into the oceans. water back into the oceans. As a result the land bridge to As a result the land bridge to America was once again America was once again covered with water.covered with water.

Farming BeginsFarming Begins When the Ice Age ended the When the Ice Age ended the

wholly mammoth and other wholly mammoth and other large animal died out. The first large animal died out. The first Americans adapted by Americans adapted by gathering berries, fishing and gathering berries, fishing and hunting smaller animals.hunting smaller animals.

As the climate warmed As the climate warmed between 9,000 and 5,000 between 9,000 and 5,000 years ago Americans learned years ago Americans learned to grow crops- specifically, to grow crops- specifically, corn (maize), squash, beans corn (maize), squash, beans and pumpkins.and pumpkins.

Farming began in Farming began in Mesoamerica or middle Mesoamerica or middle America-the land between the America-the land between the Valley of Mexico and Central Valley of Mexico and Central America.America.

The region was ideal for The region was ideal for farming because of the rich farming because of the rich volcanic soil and ample rain in volcanic soil and ample rain in the spring and fall.the spring and fall.

Mesoamerican CivilizationsMesoamerican Civilizations As first Americans were able to As first Americans were able to

grow crops they were able to stop grow crops they were able to stop moving in search of food and were moving in search of food and were able to settle down in more able to settle down in more complex societies.complex societies.

Around 1500 B.C. the first ancient Around 1500 B.C. the first ancient civilizations appeared in the civilizations appeared in the Americas.Americas.

Around 1200 B.C. near present-Around 1200 B.C. near present-day Vera Cruz, Mexico a people day Vera Cruz, Mexico a people called the Olmec started a trading called the Olmec started a trading empire that lasted about 800 years.empire that lasted about 800 years.

The Olmec traded crops for raw The Olmec traded crops for raw materials such as jade, obsidian, materials such as jade, obsidian, hematite and basalt. They used hematite and basalt. They used rivers to travel to other regions for rivers to travel to other regions for trade until other groups took the trade until other groups took the empire from them.empire from them.

TeotihuacanTeotihuacan The first planned city in The first planned city in

Mesoamerica was called Mesoamerica was called Teotihuacan or “place of the Teotihuacan or “place of the gods.” Teotihuacan reached gods.” Teotihuacan reached its height around A.D. 400 its height around A.D. 400 with a population of about with a population of about 150,000.150,000.

Around A.D. 600 Teotihuacan Around A.D. 600 Teotihuacan started to decline. We do not started to decline. We do not for sure why this happened for sure why this happened but experts believe but experts believe overpopulation could have overpopulation could have exhausted the natural exhausted the natural resources or there was a resources or there was a drought from a lack of rain. drought from a lack of rain. Either way by A.D. 750 the Either way by A.D. 750 the city of Teotihuacan was city of Teotihuacan was destroyed.destroyed.

MayaMaya Another civilization built Another civilization built

by the Maya sprang up in by the Maya sprang up in the Yucatan Peninsula the Yucatan Peninsula and reached its peak in and reached its peak in A.D. 500. A.D. 500.

The Maya were traders The Maya were traders who traded with villages who traded with villages throughout Mesoamerica throughout Mesoamerica and into North America.and into North America.

The Mayan civilization The Mayan civilization also came to a also came to a mysterious end around mysterious end around A.D. 900. The ruins of A.D. 900. The ruins of the city were found in the city were found in 1839 tangled in the vines 1839 tangled in the vines of the Yucatan rain forest.of the Yucatan rain forest.

Mayan CivilizationMayan Civilization The Maya settled in a flat The Maya settled in a flat

region of Guatemala called region of Guatemala called Peten. It was covered with Peten. It was covered with dense forests that allowed very dense forests that allowed very little sunlight. In addition, little sunlight. In addition, mosquitos and other insects mosquitos and other insects infested the land, poisonous infested the land, poisonous snakes and monkeys were snakes and monkeys were numerous, and swamps and numerous, and swamps and sinkholes were present.sinkholes were present.

The Maya took advantage of The Maya took advantage of the swamps and sinkholes the swamps and sinkholes making them a source of making them a source of water.water.

They set up city-states each They set up city-states each having its own king with his having its own king with his own military.own military.

The kings said they were The kings said they were descendants from the sun.descendants from the sun.

Mayan God-KingsMayan God-Kings The kings expected the The kings expected the

people to serve them as people to serve them as gods. They forced the gods. They forced the people to build people to build monuments to them and monuments to them and taught them that it was taught them that it was necessary to please the necessary to please the gods by giving human gods by giving human sacrifices.sacrifices.

The Maya would offer The Maya would offer human sacrifices to the human sacrifices to the rain god Chac who they rain god Chac who they believed lived in the water believed lived in the water under the sinkholes. under the sinkholes. Many times they would Many times they would throw captives of war into throw captives of war into the sinkholes as a the sinkholes as a sacrifice to Chac.sacrifice to Chac.

Mayan ReligionMayan Religion Religion was at the center Religion was at the center

of Mayan life. Mayans of Mayan life. Mayans believed the gods believed the gods controlled everything that controlled everything that happened on earth, so happened on earth, so they focused their lives they focused their lives on pleasing the gods. on pleasing the gods. Large pyramids with Large pyramids with temples at the top temples at the top overlooked every Mayan overlooked every Mayan city.city.

Mayans believed the Mayans believed the gods revealed their plans gods revealed their plans through movements of through movements of the sun, moon, and stars, the sun, moon, and stars, so they studied the so they studied the heavenly bodies closely.heavenly bodies closely.

Mayan InventionsMayan Inventions Studying astronomy allowed Studying astronomy allowed

the Maya to develop a 365 day the Maya to develop a 365 day calendar. This calendar calendar. This calendar helped the Maya plan planting helped the Maya plan planting and harvest times as well as and harvest times as well as religious festivals.religious festivals.

The Maya invented a system The Maya invented a system of mathematics based on 20.of mathematics based on 20.

The Maya invented a written The Maya invented a written language that uses language that uses hieroglyphics or symbols that hieroglyphics or symbols that represent words, sounds, or represent words, sounds, or ideas. ideas.

In the Mayan civilization only In the Mayan civilization only the nobles could read.the nobles could read.

The ToltecThe Toltec After the Mayan civilization After the Mayan civilization

ended the Toltec took ended the Toltec took control of Northern Mexico. control of Northern Mexico. They built the capital city of They built the capital city of Tula and conquered lands Tula and conquered lands all the way to the Yucatan all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula.Peninsula.

The Toltec controlled trade The Toltec controlled trade and held a monopoly or sole and held a monopoly or sole right to trade, in obsidian. right to trade, in obsidian. Obsidian was a volcanic Obsidian was a volcanic glass used to make sharp glass used to make sharp weapons. Keeping this weapons. Keeping this material out of the hands of material out of the hands of others kept other people others kept other people from making weapons to from making weapons to challenge the Toltec.challenge the Toltec.

The AztecsThe Aztecs Around A.D. 1200 the Around A.D. 1200 the AztecsAztecs

invaded Tula and took control invaded Tula and took control of the regions trade. They of the regions trade. They sacrificed a local princess to sacrificed a local princess to one of their gods and were one of their gods and were forced to flee when the king forced to flee when the king set out to kill them.set out to kill them.

The Aztecs were wandering around the Mexican Valley struggling to survive. They were even enslaved once by another tribe. In the year 1325, they stopped their wandering on the southwest border of Lake Texcoco when they saw an eagle sitting on the stem of a cactus. He was holding a serpent in this talons and his wings were open to the sun. They saw this as an omen, announcing the location of their future city and capital, Tenochtitlan.

Lake TexcocoLake Texcoco

So they settled on a soggy, uninhabited island in Lake Texcoco. The island was about 12 miles square in size.

In order to build their city, the swamps and standing water around them had to be drained and artificial islands were constructed to form gardens.

Aztec Way of LifeAztec Way of Life It was from the city of Tenochtitlan It was from the city of Tenochtitlan

that the Aztec god Huitzilpochtli that the Aztec god Huitzilpochtli spoke to the people declaring, spoke to the people declaring, “We shall conquer all the people in “We shall conquer all the people in the universe.” From this promise the universe.” From this promise the Aztec way of life was formed. the Aztec way of life was formed.

War and human sacrifice were War and human sacrifice were constant occurences in the Aztec constant occurences in the Aztec empire.empire.

From childhood Aztec boys were From childhood Aztec boys were told stories about the glories of told stories about the glories of war and their duties as an Aztec war and their duties as an Aztec warrior.warrior.

In the social hierarchy there were In the social hierarchy there were four classes: (1) nobles, (2) four classes: (1) nobles, (2) commoners, (3) unskilled laborers, commoners, (3) unskilled laborers, and (4) slaves. Commoners made and (4) slaves. Commoners made up the largest group and consisted up the largest group and consisted of farmers, artisans and traders. of farmers, artisans and traders. They could move up to the noble They could move up to the noble class by performing an act of class by performing an act of bravery in war. If they died in war bravery in war. If they died in war their children would become their children would become nobles.nobles.

Aztec WarriorsAztec Warriors

Kings were selected from amongst Kings were selected from amongst the nobles. Kings were selected the nobles. Kings were selected by his perceived ability to bring by his perceived ability to bring glory to the Aztecs. Once chosen glory to the Aztecs. Once chosen he was expected to prove himself he was expected to prove himself by leading troops into battle.by leading troops into battle.

Raiding and warring often began Raiding and warring often began to collect captives for use in to collect captives for use in sacrificial offerings to the Aztec sacrificial offerings to the Aztec god, Huitzilpochtli. The Aztec god, Huitzilpochtli. The Aztec conquered many other tribes, conquered many other tribes, allowing them to retain their own allowing them to retain their own religion and government. religion and government. However, the tribes were expected However, the tribes were expected to supply the Aztecs with food, to supply the Aztecs with food, textiles, pottery and other items textiles, pottery and other items needed to support the nobles, needed to support the nobles, priests and administrators of the priests and administrators of the city of Tenochtitlan, which city of Tenochtitlan, which numbered in the hundreds of numbered in the hundreds of thousands.thousands.

Human Sacrifice and the Great Human Sacrifice and the Great TempleTemple

The Aztec are best known for The Aztec are best known for human sacrifices. On special human sacrifices. On special occasions, a slave was sacrificed. occasions, a slave was sacrificed. His flesh would be elaborately His flesh would be elaborately dressed and would be the center dressed and would be the center ornament of the banquet. ornament of the banquet. Cannibalism in the Aztec life was Cannibalism in the Aztec life was common on special religious and common on special religious and social occasions. Human social occasions. Human sacrifices were necessary to honor sacrifices were necessary to honor the gods. They believed that the gods. They believed that humans were responsible for the humans were responsible for the pleasure or displeasure of the pleasure or displeasure of the gods and, therefore, they aimed to gods and, therefore, they aimed to make sure that the deities were make sure that the deities were happy. Twenty to fifty thousand happy. Twenty to fifty thousand people were sacrificed yearly. people were sacrificed yearly.

In the center of Tenochtitlan the In the center of Tenochtitlan the Aztec built a huge pyramid to Aztec built a huge pyramid to honor the gods known as the honor the gods known as the Great Temple. It was here that Great Temple. It was here that thousands of victims were brought thousands of victims were brought and sacrificed to the gods. and sacrificed to the gods.

Human Sacrifice Human Sacrifice

No matter what the size of the No matter what the size of the sacrifice, it was always performed sacrifice, it was always performed the same way. The victim was held the same way. The victim was held down by four priests on an altar at down by four priests on an altar at the top of a pyramid or raised the top of a pyramid or raised temple while the officiant made an temple while the officiant made an incision below the rib cage and incision below the rib cage and pulled out the living heart. The heart pulled out the living heart. The heart was then burned and the corpse was then burned and the corpse was pushed down the steep steps; was pushed down the steep steps; a very brave or noble victim was a very brave or noble victim was carried down the steps. carried down the steps.

The most brutal of human sacrifices The most brutal of human sacrifices were those dedicated to the god were those dedicated to the god Huehueteotl. Sacrificial victims were Huehueteotl. Sacrificial victims were drugged and then thrown into a fire drugged and then thrown into a fire at the top of the ceremonial at the top of the ceremonial platform. Before they were killed by platform. Before they were killed by the fire, they were dragged out with the fire, they were dragged out with hooks and their living hearts were hooks and their living hearts were pulled out and thrown back into the pulled out and thrown back into the fire. fire.

The Inca EmpireThe Inca Empire The largest empire in the The largest empire in the

Americas was the Inca Americas was the Inca Empire. Empire.

The Inca people began as a The Inca people began as a tribe in the Cusco area tribe in the Cusco area around A.D. 1100. Under the around A.D. 1100. Under the leadership of leadership of MancoManco Capac Capac, , they formed the small city-they formed the small city-state of Cuzco.state of Cuzco.

In 1438 they began a far-In 1438 they began a far-reaching expansion under the reaching expansion under the command of command of PachacutiPachacuti, , whose name literally meant whose name literally meant "earth-shaker". During his "earth-shaker". During his reign, he and his son brought reign, he and his son brought much of the much of the AndesAndes mountains in modern-day mountains in modern-day Peru under Inca control. Peru under Inca control.

Inca ExpansionInca Expansion To build hid empire To build hid empire

Pachacuti would send Pachacuti would send spies to regions he had spies to regions he had wanted in his wanted in his empireempire. . They would then report They would then report back on the political back on the political organization, military organization, military might, and wealth. The might, and wealth. The Inca would then send Inca would then send messages to the leaders messages to the leaders of these lands, telling the of these lands, telling the benefits of joining the benefits of joining the empire. He offered gifts of empire. He offered gifts of luxury goods like high luxury goods like high quality textiles, and quality textiles, and promised that all living in promised that all living in those territories would be those territories would be materially richer as materially richer as subject rulers of the Inca.subject rulers of the Inca.

Uniting the EmpireUniting the Empire Most accepted the rule of the Most accepted the rule of the

Inca peacefully. The Inca peacefully. The neighboring rulers' children neighboring rulers' children would be brought to Cuzco to would be brought to Cuzco to be taught about Inca be taught about Inca administration systems, and administration systems, and then would return to rule their then would return to rule their native lands. This allowed the native lands. This allowed the Inca to indoctrinate the former Inca to indoctrinate the former rulers' children into the Inca rulers' children into the Inca nobility, and, with luck, marry nobility, and, with luck, marry their daughters into families at their daughters into families at various corners of the empire.various corners of the empire.

Besides letting local rulers stay Besides letting local rulers stay in power and training their in power and training their sons at Cuzco, Pachacuti used sons at Cuzco, Pachacuti used other methods to unite the other methods to unite the empire. Pachacuti required all empire. Pachacuti required all people to learn Quechua so people to learn Quechua so they would all speak the same they would all speak the same language and he developed a language and he developed a system of roads to unite the system of roads to unite the empire.empire.

Incan Social StructureIncan Social Structure

Inca society was strictly Inca society was strictly organized, from the emperor organized, from the emperor and royal family down to the and royal family down to the peasants. The emperor was peasants. The emperor was thought to be descended from thought to be descended from the sun god, Inti, and he the sun god, Inti, and he therefore ruled with divine therefore ruled with divine authority. All power rested in authority. All power rested in his hands. his hands.

Just beneath the ruler in the Just beneath the ruler in the Inca social structure were the Inca social structure were the head priest and commander of head priest and commander of the armies.the armies.

The next group consisted of The next group consisted of regional army commanders.regional army commanders.

Below them were the temple Below them were the temple priests and skilled workers.priests and skilled workers.

The bottom level were the The bottom level were the farmers, herders and soldiers.farmers, herders and soldiers.

Inca ArchitectureInca Architecture The Inca rarely participated in The Inca rarely participated in

human sacrifices. When they human sacrifices. When they did they usually sacrificed did they usually sacrificed children because they thought children because they thought they were more pure than they were more pure than adults. Before they sacrificed adults. Before they sacrificed the children they worshipped the children they worshipped them as gods.them as gods.

The Inca built large stone The Inca built large stone buildings made of limestone buildings made of limestone and granite. Although they and granite. Although they had no system of writing, no had no system of writing, no wheels, and no iron tools they wheels, and no iron tools they were skilled engineers. They were skilled engineers. They fit stones together tightly fit stones together tightly without the use of mortar to without the use of mortar to allow the stones to move up allow the stones to move up and down when earthquakes and down when earthquakes hit without collapsing. hit without collapsing.

Machu PicchuMachu Picchu One of the places they built is One of the places they built is

one of the New Seven one of the New Seven Wonders of the World- Machu Wonders of the World- Machu Picchu.Picchu.

Machu Picchu was constructed Machu Picchu was constructed around 1460, at the height of around 1460, at the height of the the Inca EmpireInca Empire. It was . It was abandoned less than 100 abandoned less than 100 years later. It is likely that most years later. It is likely that most of its inhabitants were wiped of its inhabitants were wiped out by out by smallpoxsmallpox before the before the SpanishSpanish conquistadoresconquistadores arrived in the area and there is arrived in the area and there is no record of their having no record of their having known of the remote city. known of the remote city.

It was discovered by Hiram It was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and referred Bingham in 1911 and referred to as “The Lost City of the to as “The Lost City of the Incas.”Incas.”

The QuipuThe Quipu

The Inca developed a The Inca developed a quipu- a rope with knotted quipu- a rope with knotted cords of different lengths cords of different lengths and colors to do and colors to do mathematical equations. mathematical equations.

The number and position The number and position of knots as well as the of knots as well as the color of each cord color of each cord represented numbers or represented numbers or information about information about commercial goods and commercial goods and resources. resources.

The InuitThe Inuit Another group that settled in Another group that settled in

America were the Inuit. The Inuit, America were the Inuit. The Inuit, which means “the people,” settled which means “the people,” settled in present-day Canada and in present-day Canada and Alaska.Alaska.

The lands where the Inuit live is The lands where the Inuit live is cold and harsh.  They have long cold and harsh.  They have long cold winters and short, cool cold winters and short, cool summers. There is a lot of snow. summers. There is a lot of snow.

Many Inuit lived in houses called Many Inuit lived in houses called igloos. Igloos were dome shaped igloos. Igloos were dome shaped homes made of blocks of ice and homes made of blocks of ice and snow. To make an igloo, hard-snow. To make an igloo, hard-packed snow was cut into blocks packed snow was cut into blocks with a long knife made of bone, with a long knife made of bone, ivory, or metal. A man could build ivory, or metal. A man could build an  igloo in an hour. In the igloo, an  igloo in an hour. In the igloo, Inuit slept on a low snow platform Inuit slept on a low snow platform covered with twigs and caribou covered with twigs and caribou furs. Each igloo had a skylight furs. Each igloo had a skylight made of freshwater ice. When made of freshwater ice. When summer arrived the igloo melted, summer arrived the igloo melted, and the family had to move into and the family had to move into tents made of animal skins. tents made of animal skins.

Inuit TransportationInuit Transportation For transportation Inuits use For transportation Inuits use

kayaks, umiaks, and dogsleds. kayaks, umiaks, and dogsleds. The kayak is a boat that can carry The kayak is a boat that can carry

only one person. It is small and only one person. It is small and covered in seal skins. Around the covered in seal skins. Around the edge it was slightly raised so the edge it was slightly raised so the passenger could fasten his coat to passenger could fasten his coat to the rim. This way the man and the the rim. This way the man and the boat could be one water proof unit. boat could be one water proof unit. The kayak’s paddle is a long stick The kayak’s paddle is a long stick which has a paddle on each side. which has a paddle on each side.

The umiak is a larger and more The umiak is a larger and more open boat.  It is covered with open boat.  It is covered with animal skins. It was made to carry animal skins. It was made to carry large loads: an entire family or a large loads: an entire family or a two-ton load of blubber. The normal two-ton load of blubber. The normal length of a amok was 35-40 feet. length of a amok was 35-40 feet. But for its size it was quite light, But for its size it was quite light, light enough for two men to carry.  light enough for two men to carry. 

The best known transportation was The best known transportation was the dogsled. The dogsled has a the dogsled. The dogsled has a light but sturdy frame on runners light but sturdy frame on runners with reins. The reins are hitched up with reins. The reins are hitched up to six or so huskies. to six or so huskies.

Inuit FoodInuit Food The Inuit people hunt for their The Inuit people hunt for their

food.  They eat primarily fish, food.  They eat primarily fish, seals, walrus, caribou and seals, walrus, caribou and polar bears. polar bears.

The Inuit people hunt seals The Inuit people hunt seals during winter through the during winter through the frozen ocean ice.  Seals are frozen ocean ice.  Seals are mammals and must breathe. mammals and must breathe. Seals scratch a holes through Seals scratch a holes through the ice as it begins to freeze.  the ice as it begins to freeze.  Seals come back to these Seals come back to these holes for air. The Inuit hunter holes for air. The Inuit hunter stood with a poised stood with a poised harpoonharpoon over these breathing holes, over these breathing holes, waiting for the seal to surface. waiting for the seal to surface. Often the hunter had to stand Often the hunter had to stand this way for several hours in this way for several hours in the bitter cold. the bitter cold. 

Settling the West CoastSettling the West Coast

Life on the west coast Life on the west coast was much easier for was much easier for settlers. Due to the settlers. Due to the milder climate and rich milder climate and rich food sources the Pacific food sources the Pacific Northwest was the most Northwest was the most heavily populated regions heavily populated regions north of Mesoamerica.north of Mesoamerica.

California for example California for example was home for about 500 was home for about 500 early American cultures.early American cultures.

Iroquois LeagueIroquois League Settlers in the eastern Settlers in the eastern

woodlands set up woodlands set up confederations or confederations or governments that link governments that link several groups.several groups.

These Native Americans These Native Americans

formed the Iroquois formed the Iroquois League made up of the League made up of the Onondaga, Seneca, Onondaga, Seneca, Mohawk, Oneida, and Mohawk, Oneida, and Cayuga tribes. The tribes Cayuga tribes. The tribes united to make peace united to make peace with one another and to with one another and to unite against other unite against other peoples from the peoples from the woodlands.woodlands.

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus In 1492 Christopher Columbus In 1492 Christopher Columbus

set sail from western Europe set sail from western Europe trying to find a path to East trying to find a path to East Asia without having to deal Asia without having to deal with the Muslim kingdoms of with the Muslim kingdoms of Africa. Africa.

He sailed west across the He sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean and landed in Atlantic Ocean and landed in Hispaniola which is present-Hispaniola which is present-day Haiti and Dominican day Haiti and Dominican Republic.Republic.

Columbus took gold, spices Columbus took gold, spices and natives back to Spain.and natives back to Spain.

The next year he returned to The next year he returned to America. He brought with him America. He brought with him conquistadors or soldier-conquistadors or soldier-explorers to enslave the Taino explorers to enslave the Taino people who lived in America. people who lived in America. The Spanish claimed Taino The Spanish claimed Taino lands and within 100 years the lands and within 100 years the entire Taino population had entire Taino population had been destroyed.been destroyed.

Cortes Invades MexicoCortes Invades Mexico Other Europeans looked to Other Europeans looked to

match the success of match the success of Columbus. Among them was Columbus. Among them was Hernan Cortes.Hernan Cortes.

Hernan Cortes served as Hernan Cortes served as governor of Hispaniola and governor of Hispaniola and then went to Cuba. He then then went to Cuba. He then set out for Mexico, the land of set out for Mexico, the land of the Aztecs.the Aztecs.

In February 1519, He landed in In February 1519, He landed in Mexico along with 600 men in Mexico along with 600 men in the Yucatan Peninsula, in the Yucatan Peninsula, in MayanMayan territory. There, he met territory. There, he met JeronimoJeronimo de Aguilar de Aguilar, a , a Spaniard who had survived Spaniard who had survived from a shipwreck and joined from a shipwreck and joined the troops. Jeronimo de the troops. Jeronimo de Aguilar, a Franciscan priest, Aguilar, a Franciscan priest, had learnt Maya during his had learnt Maya during his captivity, and could thus captivity, and could thus translate for Cortés.translate for Cortés.

Cotes Invades MexicoCotes Invades Mexico In March 1519, Cortés formally In March 1519, Cortés formally

claimed the land for the claimed the land for the Spanish crown. He then won a Spanish crown. He then won a battle against the Natives of battle against the Natives of Tabasco, during which he Tabasco, during which he received from the vanquished received from the vanquished twenty young indigenous twenty young indigenous women, among whom was La women, among whom was La Malinche, his future mistress, Malinche, his future mistress, who knew both the Nahuatl who knew both the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs and the language of the Aztecs and the Mayan language, thus Mayan language, thus enabling Hernán Cortés to enabling Hernán Cortés to communicate in both. communicate in both.

Malinche and Aguilar taught Malinche and Aguilar taught Cortes about the Aztec Empire Cortes about the Aztec Empire and how the people resented and how the people resented the rule of the Aztec ruler the rule of the Aztec ruler Montezuma. They helped Montezuma. They helped Cortes form alliances with the Cortes form alliances with the Aztec people.Aztec people.

Legend of QuetzalcoatlLegend of Quetzalcoatl Cortes was able to get within Cortes was able to get within

reach of Tenochtitlan because reach of Tenochtitlan because the Aztecs believed a light the Aztecs believed a light skinned god named skinned god named Quetzalcoatl left long ago Quetzalcoatl left long ago vowing to return to reclaim his vowing to return to reclaim his land. They looked forward to land. They looked forward to his return. Montezuma feared his return. Montezuma feared Cortes might be the long lost Cortes might be the long lost god returning to Tenochtitilan.god returning to Tenochtitilan.

By the time Montezuma By the time Montezuma prepared for attack it was too prepared for attack it was too late. Cortes attacked first late. Cortes attacked first killing 6,000 Aztecs and killing 6,000 Aztecs and capturing Tenochtitlan. capturing Tenochtitlan. Montezuma was later killed in Montezuma was later killed in an uprising that kicked the an uprising that kicked the Spanish out of Tenochtitlan.Spanish out of Tenochtitlan.

Spanish Diseases Wipe Out the Spanish Diseases Wipe Out the AztecsAztecs

The Spanish would be The Spanish would be back soon. Besides back soon. Besides weapons and horses weapons and horses Cortes and the Spaniards Cortes and the Spaniards brought diseases such as brought diseases such as measles and smallpox measles and smallpox that killed more Aztecs that killed more Aztecs than the Spanish army than the Spanish army did. Weakened by did. Weakened by disease the Aztec fell to disease the Aztec fell to the Spanish in June the Spanish in June 1521.1521.

Pizarro Invades The IncaPizarro Invades The Inca In the 1500s Francisco Pizarro In the 1500s Francisco Pizarro

heard of a golden empire in heard of a golden empire in South America. He found South America. He found what he was looking for in the what he was looking for in the mountains of present-day mountains of present-day Peru.Peru.

In 1532 messengers of In 1532 messengers of Francisco Pizarro invited the Francisco Pizarro invited the Inca king Atahualpa to a Inca king Atahualpa to a meeting. Pizarro only had an meeting. Pizarro only had an army of 160 men so Atahualpa army of 160 men so Atahualpa came to the meeting with came to the meeting with 5,000 unarmed men. He 5,000 unarmed men. He thought they were there to talk.thought they were there to talk.

At the meeting Pizarro At the meeting Pizarro demanded the Inca king demanded the Inca king convert to Christianity. convert to Christianity. Atahualpa threw the Bible Atahualpa threw the Bible down because he had never down because he had never seen a book before. Pizarro seen a book before. Pizarro used it as the reason to attack.used it as the reason to attack.

Pizarro’s men killed 2,000 Inca Pizarro’s men killed 2,000 Inca and captured Atahualpa.and captured Atahualpa.

Pizarro Takes PeruPizarro Takes Peru

Atahualpa tried to buy his Atahualpa tried to buy his freedom by offering a jail cell freedom by offering a jail cell full of gold. Pizarro agreed to full of gold. Pizarro agreed to the deal but once the gold was the deal but once the gold was delivered he turned his back delivered he turned his back on the deal and instead on the deal and instead charged Atahualpa with charged Atahualpa with rebellion, worshipping false rebellion, worshipping false gods and having too many gods and having too many wives. wives.

Atahualpa was found guilty Atahualpa was found guilty and sentenced to death.and sentenced to death.

Pizarro became the governor Pizarro became the governor of Peru.of Peru.