Colonial Latin America

Turning point in 1428 under Itzcoatl

-Triple Alliance

-merchants

-loose imperial control

--tribute payments

-calpulli

-stratified and "feudal" society

Schools for children of the elite

Law Codes

Despotism and theocracy

State religion

human sacrifices

Incas: "socialist empire" or totalitarian tyranny?

Diverse geography

-irrigation techniques

-trading networks

Origins of Inca obscure; powerful empire in the 15th century

-tightly controlled empire: bureaucracy, language, state religion, standing army, roads, deportation and resettlement

-quipu for keeping records

-ayllu = kinship group

-traditionally parallel descent for men and women - exploited by Inca

-"feudal" system

Religion

-huacas

-Viracocha; Pachayachachic; sun god

-large priestly class assisted by holy women (mamacna)

# posted by Anne Good @ 9:25 PM