world map

the maya

Political structure  Religion (animism main leaders(K'inich Janaaab' Pakal l)  Key events (mayan writing, farming villages)  traded gold copper and jade and some decorative pottery. dont know how they decline but it was probaly overpopulation

the cahokia

Political structure  Religion (Mississippian culture) hierarchical bureaucracy, was a elite government system at the time  Cahokia established as a large village with multiple mounds; people continue to arrive to the site, A large Mississippi River flood hits the Cahokia region  trading in such exotic items as copper, Mill Creek chert, and whelk shells  Any interesting additional info that you may find (1)  drought , and resource overexploitation

aztec empire

Political structure  Religion (polytheist)  Itzcóatl. Itzcóatl ruled the Aztec Empire from 1428 to 1440. Under his rule, Tenochtitlán formed a triple alliance with the neighboring states of Texcoco and Tlacopan. With this alliance the Aztecs expanded their empire and became the dominant power in central Mexico.  Key events (human sacrifice,aztec art) turquoise, quetzal feathers, cacao, obsidian, and jade.  Any interesting additional info that you may find (1)  killed by a smallpox disease.

the polynesians

Political structure  Religion (polytheistic)  Premier Toke Talagi, there ways of navitagation.  Key events (First exploration, migration and settlements of Polynesians in Hawaiʻi Tuʻi Tonga ʻAhoʻeitu is the first King of Tonga and the expansive Tongan empire  trade durable material culture  Tuʻi Tonga ʻAhoʻeitu is the first King of Tonga and the expansive Tongan empire

Political structure  Religion (islam)  Askia the Great strengthened the Songhai Empire and made it the largest empire in West Africa's history  Key events (the invasion of the Muslims and the Sacking of Koumbi Saleh by Almoravids).  control of trading posts along the Trans-Saharan Trade Route, including Jenne and Timbukt A series of plots and coups by Askia's successors forced the empire into a period of decline and instability

songhay empire

the incas

 Religion ( polytheism) Key leaders (Pachacuti, who expanded the empire greatly)  Key events (438: Pachacuti rises to power as the ninth Sapa inca 1471: Tupac becomes the tenth Sapa Inca.  bronze, animals, crops, and different tools to each state in turn for money or other materials , the Spanish finally captured and executed the last Inca emperor, Túpac Amaru, and the Inca Empire was officially defeated.

Political structure  Religion(Shona religion)  prince Nyatsimba Mutota of Great Zimbabwe founded the new Kingdom of Mutapa and established his own royal dynasty  The construction of an impressive stone city that is still standing today, The creation of a thriving economy that attracted people from all over Africa  a trade network linked to Kilwa Kisiwani and extending as far as China , the exhaustion of the gold mines, political instability and famine and water shortages induced by climatic change

great zimbabwe

Mali Empire

The Mali Empire reigned four centuries. The leaders included Mansa Musa.  Religion (Islam)  Key leaders (The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita ( c. 1214 – c. 1255) and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa)  Key events (he first accurate astronomical calendar, the introduction of Islamic scholarship to Africa  textiles, spices, and luxury items like silk and ceramics. internal conflicts, attacks from neighboring states, and the collapse of the trans-Saharan trade network

 increased wealth in North Africa, West Africa, and beyond  salt, gold, ivory, and slaves.  Goods like glass beads and cowrie shells not only came from abroad, they were used as money to trade items. The most common items were gold and salt.  The opening to the Atlantic, the slave trade, particularly the high demand for slave labor, and the introduction of new European trade goods attracted the covetousness of local chiefs and contributed greatly to the decline of the old trans-Saharan trade

trans saharan trade

Political structure  Religion (Sunni Islam)  Early 16th century, the arrival of Portuguese and the end of Kilwa's trading power. Ca 1400 start of Nabhan dynasty. Kilwa, Malindi, Gedi, Pate, Comoros, and Zanzibar.  Around 35% of the Swahili vocabulary comes from Arab Interactions with the Portuguese and a consequent decrease in trade

swahili states