Mexico Chapter 13: 6th Grade

An empire is a system in which one power rules a number of territories. The colonial empire in Mexico was ruled by __________. 

• Spain
• The United States
• Aztec
• Russia

Before Europeans came to Mexico, many ___________ people lived in communities. The people owned and worked land together. This land was called ejidos. 

• American 
• Indian
• Yucatan 
• Spanish 

Today, many Mexican farmers raise cash crops of vegetables and fruits. They sell much of their crops to ___________________. 

• Indians
• the United States
• Spain 
• aliens

Slash and burn agriculture is the process of burning an area of forest to clear it for planting. Some people of the ___________________ use this method of farming. 

• Baja Peninsula
• Yucatan Peninsula
• Aztec 
• the United States

____________________ people built raised fields called chinampas. Chinampas let them farm in the swampy lakes. 

• Spanish 
• Indian 
• American 
• Aztec

The Maya lived _______________________. 

• in the tropical rainforests of southeast Mexico, Guatemala and Belize
• throughout Mesoamerica
• in the United States 
• in Spain

Early Mesoamerican cultures (like the Olmecs) grew crops such as these: 

• pumpkins, tomatoes and strawberries
• beans, squash, peppers, corn
• peas, apples, bananas
• sugar cane, cauliflower, carrots

Some accomplishments of early mesoamerican cultures were: 

• they built temples, pyramids, statues and large cities
• they could draw well 
• they knew how to sing
• they conquered other countries

The accomplishments of the Maya include: 

• astronomy, calendar, writing system
• inventions like the telephone 
• the first automobile 
• they could make delicious tortillas

The Mayan civilization ended because: 

• They wanted to move to someplace with a cooler climate. 
• they died from famine, disease and warfare. 
• They migrated south for the winter
• They went north for the summer