Chapters 11 & 12

Early American Civilizations

Independent Chapter Study

Miss Steinman, 2014

Name:

Date:

Period:

Early American Civilizations:

Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca

Packet DUE:Friday, 5/16 by the end of the class period

UNIT DIRECTIONS:This is an independent learning unit. We will not review the content as a class. You will work on your own to complete the work in this packet. Make sure you know all the information…pop quizzes are always possible!

Steps (check off each step as you complete it):

  1. ______Read & review the six themes of history in your textbook (pages XXXII-XXXV).
  2. ______Read & take notes on Chapter 11.1, using the notes page provided.
  3. Read rest of the lessons in chapters 11 and 12 that cover the four civilizations:
  4. ______Olmec
  5. ______Inca
  6. ______Aztec
  7. ______Maya
  8. ______Answer the review questions in this packet for each lesson. NOTE: You do NOT have to take reading notes on these lessons, however, you do need to learn the information!
  9. ______Decide which 2 civilizations you would like to focus on first. Reread the lessons that cover those civilizations and fill in the six themes of history chart for both.
  10. ______Now, use the other 2 civilizations (the ones you did NOT use for the themes of history) to focus on the icons. Reread the lessons that cover those civilizations and fill in the icon chart for both.
  11. ______Check over all your work before turning it in. Is it in detailed, complete sentences? Thoughtful? Neat? Did you follow ALL the directions?
  1. Chapter 11.1: Geography and Agriculture in Mesoamerica: Read lesson 1 starting on page 367 in your textbook. Take notes below as you read. You may use STAR notes or create outline style notes.

______

______

______

______

______

  1. Civilization Review Questions: After reading each lesson, answer the following questions in complete sentences:

Chapter 11.2: THE OLMEC CIVILIZATION

  1. Define the following terms:
  2. Olmec- ______

______

  1. Elite- ______

______

  1. Glyph- ______

______

  1. Mother Culture- ______

______

  1. What gods did the Olmec most likely worship? ______

______

  1. How did trade help spread Olmec culture? ______

______

Chapter 11.3: THE MAYAN CIVILIZATION

  1. Define the following terms:
  2. Maya- ______

______

  1. Stele- ______

______

  1. Codex- ______

______

  1. What was slash and burn agriculture? ______

______

  1. How was the Mayan life of nobles different from that of Mayan peasants? ______

______

Chapter 12.1: THE AZTECS

  1. Define the following terms:
  2. Tenochtitlan- ______

______

  1. Montezuma II- ______

______

  1. Hernan Cortes- ______

______

  1. What were the purposes of the two Aztec calendars? ______

______

  1. What challenges did the Aztecs face when they settled in the Valley of Mexico? ______

______

Chapter 12.2: THE INCA

  1. Define the following terms:
  2. Pachacuti- ______

______

  1. Francisco Pizarro- ______

______

  1. Chasqui- ______

______

  1. Quipu- ______

______

2. What classes made up Incan society and what were their roles?

______

______

______

3. In what ways were the Incas a technologically advanced society? ______

______

  1. Themes of History: Choose 2 out of the 4 civilizations that you would like to focus on and write them on the top of the chart. Using chapters 11 & 12 in your textbook, discuss how each civilization relates to the Themes of History. Address the questions in the margins.

Theme of History / Civilization #1: / Civilization #2:
GEOGRAPHY
Physical features? Major sites? How did geography impact their way of life?
ECONOMICS
How did they produce wealth and organize labor?
How did they act in order to gain control of more resources/goods?
CULTURE
How did the people in these civilizations act, express themselves, and organize their society?
BELIEF SYSTEMS
Belief systems may be religious or principles of right and wrong. Belief systems can be expressed in different ways, including celebrations and other rituals. Describe.
GOVERNMENT
What is the system of laws and authority that this civilization uses to guide and control its people? How are the laws enforced?
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
What discoveries, inventions, and/or improved methods of doing things were used in this civilization to improve the lives of people?
  1. Icons:Using the OTHER 2 civilizations, fill out the chart below, focusing on making meaningful connections to the icons in the margins.

ICON / Civilization #1: / Civilization #2:
DETAILS
Origins
ETHICS
Trends
RULES
IMPACT