Overview
This lecture covers the development of state-building in the Americas from 1200 to 1450, highlighting the Maya, Aztec, Inca, Mississippian, Chaco, and Mesa Verde societies and their political, social, and economic structures.
Mesoamerican Civilizations: Maya and Aztec
- The Maya (250–900 CE) had a decentralized network of city-states, focusing on tributary relationships rather than direct territorial control.
- Maya state power was maintained through tribute payments and ritual human sacrifice tied to religious beliefs.
- The Aztec Empire (1345–1528) was established by the Mashika people, who rose via military prowess and strategic alliances.
- Aztec rule continued Maya tribute traditions, establishing a decentralized empire with conquered peoples paying regular tribute.
- Aztec expansion had both political and religious motivations, especially centered on human sacrifice to energize the sun god.
- Aztec rulers claimed legitimacy by linking themselves to prestigious older civilizations.
- The capital, Tenochtitlan, was a large urban center with an estimated 150,000–200,000 people and featured advanced markets, palaces, and pyramid temples.
Andean Civilization: Inca Empire
- The Inca established their empire in the Andes, borrowing cultural and administrative practices from earlier groups like the Wari.
- Unlike the Aztecs, Inca governance was highly centralized with a large bureaucracy to enforce imperial policies.
- Instead of tribute, the Incas used the Mita system, requiring subjects to provide labor for state projects.
- The Inca expanded infrastructure (roads, bridges) and developed a political structure combining religion and administration.
North American Societies: Mississippian, Chaco, Mesa Verde
- Mississippian culture (8th–9th century CE) in the Mississippi River Valley built hierarchical societies led by chiefs called Great Sun.
- Known for large burial mounds, especially in their urban center, Cahokia, which reflected strong central authority and large-scale public works.
- The Chaco and Mesa Verde societies developed in the arid Southwest, innovating water management and construction techniques.
- Chacoans constructed large sandstone structures and imported timber; Mesa Verdeans built cliff dwellings out of sandstone for protection and efficiency.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Tributary State — a region or people that pays regular goods or labor as tribute to a dominant power but retains local autonomy.
- Decentralized Power — a system where local regions maintain significant independence under a larger empire.
- Centralized Power — a system where a central authority directly controls all regions of the state through administration.
- Mita System — Inca labor tax requiring subjects to work on state projects for a set time annually.
- Human Sacrifice — ritual killing of humans to please or energize deities.
- Great Sun — hereditary chiefs who ruled Mississippian towns and oversaw smaller settlements.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review key differences between decentralized (Aztec) and centralized (Inca) state structures.
- Study the impact of tribute versus labor systems on society and economy.
- Prepare to compare and contrast Mesoamerican, Andean, and North American civilizations for upcoming assessments.