Overview
This lecture covers state building in the Americas from 1200 to 1450, focusing on key civilizations in Mesoamerica, the Andes, and North America, and highlighting their political structures, innovations, and continuities.
Mesoamerica: Maya and Aztec Civilizations
- Maya civilization (250–900 CE) had a decentralized collection of city-states and used a tributary system.
- The Maya excelled in writing, mathematics (including zero), and large urban centers.
- Human sacrifice played a central role in Maya religion.
- Aztec Empire (1345–1528) was established by the Mashika people through military strength and alliances.
- The Aztecs maintained a decentralized tributary system, continuing Maya practices.
- Conquered peoples paid regular tribute in goods and services.
- Religion motivated Aztec wars of expansion, with human sacrifice to sustain the sun god.
- Aztec rulers claimed heritage from older civilizations for legitimacy.
- The capital, Tenochtitlan, had 150,000–200,000 people and featured markets, palaces, and temples.
Andean Civilizations: The Inca Empire
- Inca Empire rose after the decline of earlier societies like the Wari.
- The Incas centralized political power with a vast bureaucracy.
- Instead of tribute, the Inca required labor service (Mita system) for state projects such as mining and military.
- Religion, infrastructure, and road systems were expanded from earlier cultures.
North American Civilizations: Mississippian, Chaco, and Mesa Verde
- Mississippian culture (8th–9th c. CE) formed in the Mississippi River Valley with a hierarchical chiefdom structure.
- The "Great Sun" was the ruling chief over towns and satellite settlements.
- Famous for massive mound-building for burial and religious ceremonies, especially in Cahokia.
- Chaco and Mesa Verde societies in the U.S. Southwest innovated building and water management due to arid conditions.
- Chacoans used quarried sandstone and imported timber for large buildings.
- Mesa Verde built cliff-side dwellings from sandstone.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Tributary State — A state that remains locally governed but pays regular tribute to a dominant power.
- Human Sacrifice — The ritual killing of humans to appease or empower deities.
- Mita System — Inca labor tax requiring periodic work for the state.
- Decentralized Power — Power distributed among local rulers rather than a central authority.
- Centralized Power — Power consolidated under a strong central government or bureaucracy.
- Hierarchical Society — A society organized by levels of rank or authority.
- Mound Building — Construction of large earthen mounds for ceremonial and burial purposes.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the major characteristics of Maya, Aztec, Inca, Mississippian, Chaco, and Mesa Verde state building for comparisons on exams.
- Study definitions and roles of tribute, mita, and political centralization vs. decentralization.
- Prepare to connect these American examples to patterns in other world regions for broader analysis.