Question

The Americas Assignment

Objectives
Compare political, economic and social characteristics of the Maya and Aztec civilizations
Describe political, economic and social characteristics of the Inca civilization
Describe the political, economic and social characteristics of early peoples in North America
For this activity, answer the following essay question in 2–3 paragraphs.

Consider what you have learned about the development of early civilizations in the Americas. Then, answer the following questions:

What geographic conditions do you think made for a successful civilization?
What geographic conditions posed the greatest challenge for early civilizations?
For each question, cite at least two examples and pieces of evidence from the textbook to support your ideas.

Answer 1

1. The geographic conditions necessary for a successful civilization are a source of fresh water for drinking and agriculture(river), relatively flat fertile lands that facilitate agriculture and transportation and a suitable climate that is not too hot or cold or one that can be easily adapted to by humans. The first civilizations have been borne out of these geographic conditions.

2.This question is related to the Olmec, Aztec, Incas and Indian tribes in North America.

For such civilizations the greatest geographic challenge was their isolation from the rest of Europe and Asia where modern science was completely changing the world.

Also, these civilizations had abundant farmland, game and food supplies yet North America rarely saw the development of large cities which limited their progress in human development.

I hope this helped!