Mesoamerican Civilization

A country in present day South America where the Inca lived

A Native American people who built a notable civilization in western South America in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The center of their empire was in present-day Peru. Francisco Pizarro of Spain conquered the empire.

An ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes

The major South American mountain range that was where the Incas settled.

Abandoned city high in the Andes mountains that showcases the architectural genius of the Inca. Machu Picchu was originally built for kings.

A Spanish conquistador who went to the Incas and took emperor prisoner and then killed him and took over the Inca empire;

Last ruling Inca emperor of Peru. He was executed by the Spanish. (p. 438)

The capital city of the Aztecs.

Area in central Mexico that is present-day Mexico City

floating gardens built by the Aztec. Corn, avocados, beans, chili peppers, squash and tomatoes were grown in these gardens.

Aztec chieftan; encountered Cortes and the Spanish and saw that they rode horses; Montezuma assumed that the Spanish were gods. He welcomed them hospitably, but the explorers soon turned on the natives and ruled them for three centuries.

Spanish explorers who claimed lands in the Americas for Spain in the 1500s and 1600s

Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs and conquered Mexico (1485-1547)

Mayans believed that their kings descended from the sun.

Mayans studied the stars to create a 365-day calendar.