Social Studies - 2019-20
WHI.13a, b - Mayan, Aztec, and Incan Civilizations
The student will apply social science skills to understand the major civilizations of the Western Hemisphere, including the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan, by
a) locating early civilizations in time and place and describing major geographic features;
b) explaining the development of social, political, economic, religious, and cultural patterns in the civilizations of the Americas;
BIG IDEAS
UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARD
The Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations emerged in South America, Central America, and Mexico.
ESSENTIALS
Mayan civilization
Located in the Mexican and Central American rain forests
Represented by Chichén Itzá
Groups of city-states ruled by kings
Economy based on agriculture and trade
Polytheistic religion: Pyramids
Aztec civilization
Located in arid valley in central Mexico
Represented by Tenochtitlan
Ruled by an emperor
Economy based on agriculture and tributes from conquered peoples
Polytheistic religion: Pyramids, rituals
Incan civilization
Located in the Andes Mountains of South America
Represented by Machu Picchu
Ruled by an emperor
Economy based on high-altitude agriculture
Polytheistic religion
Road system
Achievements of Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations
Calendars
Mathematics
Writing and other record-keeping systems
KEY VOCABULARY
Terms
Maya (11a,b)
Aztec (11a,b)
Inca (11a,b)
Tribute (11a,b)
Arid (11a,b)
Rituals (11a,b)
Altitude (11a,b)
Quipu (11a,b)
Chinampa (11a,b)
Places
Central America (11a,b)
Western Hemisphere (11a,b)
Mexico (11a,b)
Andes Mountains (11a,b)
Chichen Itza (11a,b)
Tenochtitlan (11a,b)
Machu Picchu (11a,b)