Describe the effect of geographical location on agriculture in each Civilization--Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.
Describe the difference between adapting to and modifying one's environment. Give an example of each
Why did the Spanish settle and conquer Central and South America? In your example, mention Columbus, Cortes, and Pizzaro and the Catholic Church in your answer.
Describe the Columbian Exchange. What was it and give examples using crops and animals involved.
Use the following words in context and in one paragraph: Aqueduct, Basin, and Chinampa. (what do they all have in common?)
PLEASE HELP !!!
Certainly! I can help you with your questions. Let's start with the effect of geographical location on agriculture for each civilization.
For the Mayans, their civilization was centered in the tropical rainforests of Mesoamerica (present-day Mexico and Central America). The geography provided them with rich soil, which allowed for the cultivation of crops such as maize (corn), beans, and squash. The Mayans developed sophisticated agricultural techniques, including terracing and slash-and-burn farming, to maximize their crop yields in the challenging rainforest environment.
The Aztecs, on the other hand, settled in the Valley of Mexico, which had a different geographical setting. The valley was surrounded by mountains and high-altitude plateaus, resulting in a cooler and drier climate compared to the rainforests. Despite this, the Aztecs ingeniously adapted to their environment by constructing chinampas. Chinampas were artificial islands made by layering mud and vegetation on top of rafts, which were then anchored to the lakebeds in the valley. This allowed them to grow crops such as maize, tomatoes, chili peppers, and flowers.
The Incas were primarily located in the Andes Mountains of South America, a region with a diverse range of environments due to different altitudes. They adopted several strategies to adapt to their challenging landscape. They built terraces on the slopes of mountains to create flat areas for agriculture, a technique known as terraced farming. Additionally, the Incas developed a system of irrigation by constructing aqueducts to channel water from mountain sources to arid areas. This enabled them to grow a variety of crops, including potatoes, quinoa, and maize.
Now let's move on to the difference between adapting to and modifying one's environment. Adapting to the environment involves making changes to one's behavior, practices, or technology to better suit the existing natural conditions. An example of adaptation is the construction of chinampas by the Aztecs to grow crops in the waterlogged Valley of Mexico.
Modifying the environment, on the other hand, implies altering the natural surroundings to better suit human needs. A prime example of modification is the development of terraced farming by the Incas. They reshaped the slopes of mountains by building terraces, which allowed them to cultivate crops in regions that would otherwise be unsuitable for farming.
Moving on to the Spanish settlement and conquest of Central and South America, several factors played a significant role. One of the primary motivations was the search for wealth and resources. Christopher Columbus, on his voyage sponsored by Spain in 1492, stumbled upon the Americas, mistakenly believing he had reached Asia. This discovery sparked a wave of exploration and conquest by the Spanish Crown.
Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro were two prominent Spanish conquistadors who played crucial roles in the conquest of the Aztec and Inca civilizations, respectively. Both sought to exploit the riches and resources of these indigenous communities, seizing their land, gold, and other valuable commodities.
The Catholic Church, intertwined with the Spanish monarchy, played a significant role in the Spanish colonization efforts. The Church provided religious justification for the conquest and conversion of native populations. Missionaries were sent to convert the indigenous people to Catholicism, expanding the influence and power of the Church in these new territories.
Moving on to the Columbian Exchange, it refers to the extensive exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technology between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres following Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas. This exchange had a profound impact on both sides.
Examples of crops involved include the introduction of corn, potatoes, and tomatoes from the Americas to Europe, which transformed European diets and agriculture. Conversely, Old World crops such as wheat, rice, and coffee were introduced to the Americas, becoming staples in many regions.
Animal examples include the transfer of horses, cattle, and pigs from Europe to the Americas, resulting in the transformation of Native American lifestyles and agriculture. On the other hand, turkeys and llamas were brought back to Europe by the explorers.
In terms of the words "aqueduct," "basin," and "chinampa," what they all have in common is their relevance to water management. An aqueduct is a structure designed to transport water from one place to another, often over long distances. A basin refers to a large, low-lying area that collects and holds water, such as a reservoir or natural lake. A chinampa, as mentioned earlier, is an artificial island created in water bodies, where crops can be grown. All three terms are related to the management of water resources, either for irrigation or as a source of drinking water.
I hope this helps!
Well, no one here is going to do all this research and writing for you. However, I can give you some ideas for finding all this information.
First of all — your text or whatever you have been given for studying all this. (You have been reading and studying this, right?)
Second, don't let yourself get overwhelmed by all of this at once. You MUST take it one item at a time.
Third, if you have to use a search engine, draft your search terms ahead of time. For example, for the first one, I'd use these:
geological effects mayan agriculture
geological effects aztec agriculture
geological effects incan agriculture