The Fall of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations

The Collapse of the Maya

  • refers to the decline of at the end of the
  • Classic-Maya Period
  • abandoned cities included
  • not the end of the civilization
  • cities in the Yucatan Peninsula continued to thrive
  • Chichen Itzaunited much of the region during the Post-Classic period
  • Several Theories exist:

1)2)

3) 4)

  • “ ” Theory
  • relied on rain as main/only source of water
  • change in annual rainfall =
  • Scientific evidence shows severe drought in region from 800 to 1000 CE
  • Prolonged Drought could result in:
  • increased
  • Loss of Faith in Mayan Rulers & Traditional Values
  • Inability of Rulers and/or Religion to solve problems
  • people leave Cities/ Religious centers

The Maya and the Spanish Conquest

  • Spanish Conquistadores invade- Post-Classic Period
  • No
  • 170 years to conquer all Mayan city-states
  • Tayasal holds out until 1697
  • Colonial Rule
  • Maya escaped
  • Fled to
  • Remaining people concentrated into Colonial Towns
  • Many succumbed to diseases from the “Old World”
  • Large population of Mayastill inhabit the Yucatan

The Fall of the Aztec

  • February 1519- August 1521
  • Spanish led by
  • Initially welcomed, were in awe of Aztec
  • Cortez gained military support
  • Massacre of
  • city ordered to resist by
  • Intend to kill Spanish in their sleep
  • Spanish
  • 3000-30 000 reported dead
  • 1519- Moctezuma
  • Capital:
  • Moctezuma peacefully taken captive
  • wanted to cooperate with Cortez
  • Aztec nobility want to attack
  • Spanish hungry
  • want to convert Aztec to Christianity
  • Aztec rally around heir to the throne
  • attack Spanish, Moctezuma can’t control them
  • Moctezuma
  • form
  • Siege of Tenochtitlan- 8 months
  • disease decimates the city
  • Last Emperor surrenders- August 1521

Conquistadors

  • Cavalry
  • Aztec had never
  • Lances- long wooden spears with iron or steel points
  • ran over native foot soldiers
  • Infantry
  • Steel Spanish Sword-
  • Armour-
  • eventually switched to chainmail
  • Arquebus & Crossbow-
  • Aztec too quick
  • thought Spanish controlled thunder
  • Overcame massive Aztec & Inca forces

1) 2) 3)

Aztec Warriors

2 key purposes

  • Political:
  • Religious:
  • Sacrificed &
  • had multiple chances to kill Cortez, wanted to take him alive to be sacrificed- always got away
  • Warrior Societies
  • Bravest:
  • Distance Weapons- Spears, Bow & Arrow, slings
  • Most effective against Spanish
  • Close range- Clubs, Axes, Spears
  • Maquahuitl
  • flat wood club lined with sharpened obsidian or flint
  • could not thrust, limited against armour
  • could
  • Armour
  • Wood and Quilted Cotton
  • Ceremonial decoration

The Fall of the Inca Empire

  • 1528-1572
  • European Disease
  • European diseases had
  • Killed
  • Sapa Inca dies, creates
  • Troubled Empire
  • many conquered tribes living within empire
  • Inca
  • constant rebellion
  • Invite/ support a
  • Francisco Pizarro
  • heard of
  • humbled background in Spain
  • Finds some treasure on third expedition
  • Convinces King to
  • Small force:
  • Atahualpa
  • Wins 6-year civil war vs brother after Father dies
  • Pizzaro requests to meet him
  • Atahualpa,
  • Captured
  • After meeting, Pizzaro
  • 7000
  • Ransom
  • The Inca fill a room to the top with treasure as ransom
  • Atahualpa
  • by killing the leader, the rest of the empire would crumble
  • Pachakuti-
  • Cuzco falls, the Spanish
  • Inca continue to fight, but can’t overcome,
  • Empire is stripped of its
  • Christianity replaces
  • By 1570,

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