Why did the Aztecs engage in human sacrifice?
(1 point)
Responses
to punish people who broke the law
to punish people who broke the law
to keep their chief god strong
to keep their chief god strong
to determine who would be the next emperor
to determine who would be the next emperor
to punish their enemies who also engaged in human sacrifice
to keep their chief god strong
What was the mita system?
(1 point)
Responses
a practice of paying taxes through labor
a practice of paying taxes through labor
a method of record keeping
a method of record keeping
a network of royal messengers
a network of royal messengers
a rigid social hierarchy
a practice of paying taxes through labor
What archaeological evidence taught scholars about the culture of the Mississippians?
(1 point)
Responses
housing complexes built into the side of cliffs
housing complexes built into the side of cliffs
kayaks designed to hunt animals over long distances
kayaks designed to hunt animals over long distances
large earthen mounds built for religious purposes
large earthen mounds built for religious purposes
totem poles decorated with animal symbols
large earthen mounds built for religious purposes
Which of the following statements best describes Mayan cities?
(1 point)
Responses
They were built on islands in lakes.
They were built on islands in lakes.
They grew up mainly in the highlands.
They grew up mainly in the highlands.
They had relatively few buildings.
They had relatively few buildings.
They had pyramids and palaces in their centers.
They had pyramids and palaces in their centers.
How were the religion and the government of the Maya connected?
(4 points)
The religion and government of the Maya were connected in several ways:
1. Divine Kingship: The Maya believed that their rulers were divine beings with a direct connection to the gods. The rulers served as both political and religious leaders, acting as intermediaries between the human world and the realm of the gods.
2. Rituals and Offerings: The government officials played a role in overseeing and conducting religious rituals. These rituals often involved offerings to the gods, and the rulers would participate in such ceremonies to maintain the favor and support of the gods.
3. Calendar and Astronomy: Religion played a significant role in the Maya's understanding of time and the calendar. The government officials, including priests and astronomers, were responsible for studying the celestial movements and interpreting them in a religious context. This knowledge was utilized to determine auspicious times for various activities, including governance and warfare.
4. Temple Complexes as Centers of Power: The Maya cities often featured temple complexes that served as centers of religious and political power. These complexes housed the major temples, palaces, and administrative buildings, symbolizing the close connection between religion and governance. The rulers would frequently perform rituals and public ceremonies in these sacred spaces, further solidifying their authority and divine legitimacy.
Overall, the religion and government of the Maya were intertwined, with the rulers acting as religious leaders, the government officials overseeing religious practices, and religious rituals dictating the political decisions and governance of the civilization.
How did the Aztecs apply their engineering skills to the challenges of living on an island?
(4 points)
The Aztecs applied their engineering skills to overcome the challenges of living on an island in several ways:
1. Chinampas: The most notable engineering achievement of the Aztecs was the construction of chinampas, which were artificial islands used for agriculture. They built these islands by reclaiming land from the surrounding lakes and marshes. These chinampas provided fertile soil for growing crops, allowing the Aztecs to sustain a large population on their island capital of Tenochtitlan.
2. Causeways and Canals: The Aztecs constructed causeways and canals to connect the island city to the mainland and other parts of their empire. These waterways served as transportation routes and facilitated trade and communication. They were designed with practical considerations such as water management, flood control, and efficient movement of goods and people.
3. Aqueducts and Drainage Systems: To address the issue of water supply and drainage on the island, the Aztecs built intricate aqueducts and drainage systems. They transported fresh water from the mainland to the city using elevated canals and aqueducts. They also constructed drainage systems to manage rainwater and wastewater, ensuring the city remained functional and habitable, even during heavy rains.
4. Floating Gardens: In addition to chinampas, the Aztecs developed floating gardens called "Xochimilco." They used rafts made of reeds and tied them together to create floating platforms. These platforms were then filled with fertile soil and planted with crops. This innovative agricultural technique allowed the Aztecs to maximize their land use and increase food production, further sustaining their population on the island.
Through these engineering advancements, the Aztecs effectively dealt with the challenges of living on an island, ensuring a stable food supply, efficient transportation, and robust water management systems.
How did the environment influence the cultures of the Northwest and Southwest?
(4 points)
The environment had significant influences on the cultures of the Northwest and Southwest regions in several ways:
Northwest:
1. Abundance of Natural Resources: The Northwest region, characterized by its dense forests and abundant rivers, provided a rich environment for the indigenous cultures. The availability of resources like salmon, shellfish, game animals, and timber played a crucial role in shaping their economy, subsistence practices, and social organization.
2. Potlatch Ceremonies: The indigenous cultures of the Northwest, such as the Tlingit, Haida, and Kwakwaka'wakw, developed potlatch ceremonies. These elaborate ceremonies involved the redistribution of wealth and status symbols, such as carved totem poles and intricate masks. The abundance of resources in the environment allowed for the accumulation and sharing of wealth, reinforcing social hierarchies and cultural practices.
3. Canoes and Maritime Skills: The region's forests provided ample raw materials for constructing large, sturdy, and intricately carved canoes. These canoes were essential for traveling, fishing, and trade along the Pacific coast and inland waterways. Maritime skills, such as navigation, fishing techniques, and resource management, were central to the culture and survival of Northwest tribes.
Southwest:
1. Desert Adaptation: The arid desert environment of the Southwest influenced the development of unique cultural adaptations. Indigenous peoples, such as the Ancestral Puebloans and the Hohokam, evolved techniques to thrive in the harsh desert climate. This included building multi-story adobe cliff dwellings and pueblos for protection from extreme temperatures and utilizing irrigation systems to cultivate crops in the arid lands.
2. Agriculture and Trade: Despite the challenges of the environment, the Southwest cultures mastered techniques of dry farming, utilizing limited rainfall and water conservation methods to cultivate crops such as maize (corn), beans, and squash. Agricultural surplus allowed for the development of complex societies, trade networks, and exchange of goods and ideas.
3. Kivas and Ceremonial Practices: The kivas, underground ceremonial chambers, were significant architectural features in the Southwest. They served as gathering spaces for spiritual and social activities, including religious ceremonies and community events. The connection to the spiritual landscape and the need for communal rituals and ceremonies were heavily influenced by the unique natural environment of the Southwest.
Overall, the rich resources and abundant natural environment of the Northwest, as well as the challenges of the arid Southwest, shaped the subsistence practices, social structures, economic systems, and cultural expressions of the indigenous peoples in these regions.