10.3.3 - Pre-Columbian America

An important contribution of the Aztec, Inca, and Maya civilizations to Europeans was—

• their systems of writing.

• the introduction of Christianity.

• the success of their agriculture.

• the domestication of animals.

Match the following characteristics with the correct civilization(s):

• One of the places they settled was the Yucatan Peninsula, declined before the arrival of Europeans.

• Maya

• Demanded tributes from conquered neighboring city states and villages.

• All 3

• Developed a complex road system and suspension bridges to adapt to their mountainous environment.

• Aztec

• Polytheistic, with many gods that represented nature and human activities.

• Inca

Using the chart, in which of the following ways were the Maya and Aztec similar?

• Both were ruled by city-state kings

• Both used a written language

• Both believed in the great spirit

• Both were composed of small tribes

Drag and drop the Pre-Columbian civilization described in the text box.

• Maya

• Evidence of advances in math, science, and engineering

• Aztec

• Polytheistic

• Inca

• Civilization declined hundreds of years before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors

What key characteristic of a civilization did the Aztecs, Incan, and Mayans have in common?

• Strong naval forces

• A written language

• Arts, architecture, and cities

• A monotheistic religion

The Maya calendar and the Aztec use of zero both illustrate that pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas—

• traded extensively with Africa.

• had advanced mathematical understanding.

• were influenced by European technology.

• relied heavily on oral traditions.

The Aztec Empire was largely composed of “tributary states.” What role did this play in the conflict with the Europeans?

• Europeans fell to the superior military force of the Aztec.

• Neighboring peoples offered weapons to the Aztec against the Europeans.

• The use of human sacrifices motivated neighboring peoples to side with Europeans against the Aztec.

• The Aztec Empire continued successfully for hundreds of years after the arrival of the Europeans.

What is one social effect of the interaction between the Aztec and the Europeans?

• Catholicism was spread in the Americas.

• European gold was taken by the Aztec.

• The Aztec increased trade throughout South America.

• Cortez claimed the title of Governor of New Spain.

These two structures indicate that ancient pre-Columbian civilizations

• were based on Egyptian societies.

• had the engineering skills to build complex structures.

• incorporated early Mississippi structure building technology.

• were strongly influenced by humanism.

A study of the Aztec, Maya, and Inca agricultural systems shows that these civilizations—

• relied on mechanized agricultural techniques.

• carried on extensive trade in crops with each other.

• relied on a single-crop economy.

• adapted to their environments with creative farming techniques.