State-Building in the AMERICAS [AP World History Review—Unit 1 Topic 4]

State Building in the Americas: 1200 to 1450

Overview of Mesoamerican Civilizations

• The discussion begins with an exploration of state building in the Americas, specifically focusing on Mesoamerica from 1200 to 1450.

• Historical context is provided about the Maya civilization (250-900 CE), noted for its urban centers and sophisticated writing system.

• The Maya operated as a decentralized collection of city-states often engaged in warfare, aiming to create tributary states rather than expand territory.

• Human sacrifice was integral to Maya culture, believed necessary for sustaining their sun deity's energy against darkness.

Transition to the Aztec Empire

• The speaker emphasizes understanding the Maya's influence when examining later civilizations like the Aztecs (1345-1528).

• The Aztec Empire began with the semi-nomadic Mexica people who consolidated power through military strength and strategic marriages by 1428.

• It’s clarified that Mexica and Aztec refer to the same group; they established a vast empire characterized by aggressive expansion.

Political Structure and Religious Motivations

• The political structure of the Aztecs mirrored earlier Mesoamerican states, being decentralized with conquered peoples functioning as tributary states.

• Tribute payments included food, animals, and materials, essential for managing their expansive empire while maintaining religious practices centered around human sacrifice.

Legitimacy and Urban Development

• To legitimize their rule, Mexica leaders claimed heritage from revered ancient civilizations like the Maya.

• Tenochtitlan served as a significant capital city with impressive infrastructure including marketplaces and monumental pyramids.

Andean Civilizations: Inca Empire Emergence

• Moving southward, earlier societies such as Wari influenced later civilizations; notably, this set the stage for Inca establishment in mid-1400s.

The Power Structure of the Inca Empire

Centralization of Power

• The Inca Empire established a highly centralized power structure, contrasting with the decentralized systems of earlier civilizations. This centralization was necessary to govern a vast and diverse empire effectively.

• A massive bureaucracy was created to ensure that the ruler's will was implemented throughout the empire, demonstrating the importance of administrative control in maintaining order.

Labor System: Mita

• Instead of traditional tribute payments, the Incas required labor from their subjects through a system known as Mita. This involved citizens working on state projects for a set period each year.

• The Mita system facilitated significant contributions to infrastructure projects such as mining and military service, showcasing how labor was mobilized for state needs.

Emergence of Mississippian Culture

Overview of Mississippian Society

• The Mississippian culture emerged around the 8th or 9th century CE in the fertile Mississippi River Valley, marking it as North America's first large-scale civilization focused on agriculture.

• Political power within this society was held by powerful chiefs known as "the Great Sun," who ruled towns and extended influence over smaller settlements, indicating a hierarchical social structure.

Mound Building Projects

• One notable aspect of Mississippian culture is its extensive mound-building activities. These mounds served memorial purposes and were often used for burial sites and religious ceremonies.

• The construction of these mounds reflects significant political organization and resource mobilization within urban centers like Cahokia, which housed some of the largest mounds.

Innovations in Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde Societies

Adaptations to Environment

• Following the rise of Mississippian culture, societies like Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde developed innovative methods for water transportation and storage due to their arid environments.

Architectural Achievements

• The Chaco people utilized sandstone blocks quarried locally while importing timber from distant areas to construct impressive structures—some among North America's largest at that time.