Web Explorations

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Chapter 11: The Americas on the Eve of Invasion

Web Explorations

This activity contains 5 questions.

Aztec Science

The Aztecs were quite brilliant scientists whose skills went well past that of calendar making.

http://library.thinkquest.org/16325/y-sci.html

Questions for exploration.

Discuss the Aztec achievement in astronomy and medical science. In what ways were the Aztecs well ahead of Europeans in these disciplines? How was the Aztec approach to illness, while just as linked to traditional religious beliefs as their less advanced European contemporaries, nonetheless prove much more practical, efficient and effective? How did the different approach followed by Europeans inhibit the advancement of their medical sciences?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

The Maya Collapse

This site explores why many major elements of Civilization of the Maya collapsed prior to the European conquest.

http://www.learner.org/exhibits/collapse/mayans.html

Question for exploration.

How can an investigation of the Maya center at Copan suggest a solution to the problem of the Maya collapse?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Inca Ceremonial Terraces

These sites offer insight into the agricultural engineering of the Inca.

http://www.incas.org/93.html,
http://www.public.usit.net/rfinch/incaarch.html
and http://www.tactproject.com/countries/perubol/pages/photo/peru86.html

Questions for exploration.

How were Inca agricultural terraces constructed and used? How many were needed to sustain large populations? Why were these terraces vital for maintaining the empire?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Aztec Trade, Economy and Merchants

This site explores the lives of Aztec merchants.

http://library.thinkquest.org/16325/y-eco.html

Questions for exploration.

What obstacles did Aztecs face in buying, selling and transporting their goods and how did the Aztecs overcome them? What was the status of merchants in Aztec society? How was their status similar or different from the status of merchants in Europe and China? How did merchants organize themselves? How was their self-governance and social organization similar or different from patterns of merchant life in China and Europe?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Aztec Calendar-making

These sites investigate the origins and nature of Aztec calendar-making.

http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/mysfifthsun.html and
http://www.azteccalendar.com/calendar.html

Questions for exploration.

From whom is it surmised that Aztecs gathered their initial calendar-making skills? How did each of the four previous eras prior to the coming of Cortez come to an end? Did Aztecs fear an end coming that might be similar to the other eras? What were they trying to do to forestall it?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

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