El Posclásico

Pablo Vazquez Cisneros

2 Aug 202007:21

Summary

TLDRThis script narrates the rich history of Mesoamerica, detailing the rise and fall of great cultures like Teotihuacan, Monte Albán, and the Maya. It discusses the power struggles, military advancements, and the sacred status of war in their societies. The script also covers the emergence of new trade routes, political shifts, and the establishment of cities like Tula and Tenochtitlan. The Mexica's rise to power, the Triple Alliance, and the eventual European conquest set the stage for significant changes in Mesoamerica's destiny.

Takeaways

🏰 The script discusses the rise and consolidation of major Mesoamerican cultures such as the Teotihuacanos, Mayas, and the establishment of their settlements, calendars, and numeration systems.
🌟 The script mentions the power centers of Teotihuacán, Monte Albán, and Tikal, which were significant but faced opposition from cities like Cacaxtla, Xochicalco, El Estor, and Uxmal, leading to military strengthening and increased warfare.
🛣️ The script describes the emergence of new trade routes and political and social realignments, with new settlements aiming to control these routes and establish political and military dominance.
🗡️ Being a member of the army was prestigious, and the script notes the sacred status of war in religion and its glorification in art, leading to increased human sacrifices and tzompantli.
🏚️ Monte Albán was largely abandoned, and Teotihuacán's population drastically reduced, reflecting the decline and conflicts among Mayan cities.
📚 The script talks about the beginning of the Postclassic period, with the search for new territories leading to the central region of Mesoamerica being populated by new settlements and small towns.
🏙️ The rise of cities like Tula and Chichen Itza is highlighted, with Tula being the central hub of the cult of Quetzalcoatl and having divine justifications for its power.
🔄 The script describes the cultural exchange among Mesoamerican peoples, sharing symbols, calendars, and codices, narrating similar passages about war, sacrifices, alliances, and gods.
💥 Tula's sudden collapse due to internal divisions led to the dissolution of unity among the people and triggered migrations that shaped the Late Postclassic period.
🛡️ The script narrates the migrations and foundation of new towns by groups like the Chichimecas, Acolhuas, Tepanecs, and Otomis, who created alliances and fought for territory.
🏰 The Mexica people, originating from the Chichimeca, migrated to the south and founded the powerful city of Tenochtitlan, which expanded its influence through warfare and alliances, eventually forming the Triple Alliance and dominating Mesoamerica.

Q & A

What were the main cultures that consolidated during the final period of the script's timeline?
-The main cultures that consolidated during the final period were the Teotihuacanos, Mayas, and the Monte Albán.
What was the impact of the power struggle between major cities during the late classical period?
-The power struggle led to a strengthening of military forces, the construction of walls and fortresses, an increase in warfare, and the rise of the cult of warrior gods.
What were the consequences of the decline of Teotihuacán and Monte Albán?
-The decline of these cities resulted in a reduction of their populations and power, with Teotihuacán's population dropping from 150,000 to just 30,000 inhabitants.
How did the new settlements in the central region of Mesoamerica contribute to the political and social reconfiguration?
-The new settlements sought control of trade routes and political and military dominance to subjugate other regions, leading to a reconfiguration of power dynamics.
What role did the military play in the societies of the late classical period?
-Being a member of the military was a prestigious position, as religion had elevated war to a sacred level, and art further exalted it with scenes of battles and gods devouring hearts.
What was the significance of Tula in the Post-Classic period?
-Tula was significant as it was considered the central place of the god Quetzalcóatl, and its rulers were seen as divine descendants, giving the city a divine justification for its power.
Why did the city of Tula experience a sudden collapse?
-Tula collapsed due to internal divisions among its rulers, which led to its destruction and abandonment, dissolving the unity of the people.
What were the Chichimecas, and what role did they play in the Post-Classic period?
-The Chichimecas were northern settlers who moved to various towns, with Tula being the most significant. They played a crucial role in the establishment of new towns and the cultural and political landscape of Mesoamerica.
How did the Mexica people establish their dominance in Mesoamerica?
-The Mexica people, originally from the Chichimeca, migrated and settled in various areas, eventually forming alliances and creating powerful armies that led to the formation of the Triple Alliance, which dominated much of Mesoamerica.
What was the significance of the Aztec calendar system in their cosmology and rituals?
-The Aztec calendar system, with cycles of 365 and 260 days, was crucial in their cosmology as it represented the cycles of the world and was used to synchronize rituals and ceremonies every 52 years.
How did the Aztecs' military practices contribute to their city's prosperity and religious beliefs?
-The Aztecs' military practices were central to their religion, providing prisoners for sacrificial rituals, and to their prosperity, securing tributes and wealth from conquered territories.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Rise and Fall of Mesoamerican Powers

This paragraph discusses the consolidation of major Mesoamerican cultures such as the Teotihuacanos, Mayas, and the emergence of significant city-states like Cacaxtla, Xochicalco, and others during the Late Classic period. It highlights the power struggles, military fortifications, increased warfare, and the rise of war-related deities. The script also touches on the political and social reordering, the establishment of new settlements along trade routes, and the prestige associated with being a soldier. The decline of Teotihuacán and Tikal is noted, along with the rise of Tula and the Chichimeca people, who played a significant role in the Postclassic period. The paragraph concludes with the migration and establishment of new cities by various groups, leading to the eventual dominance of the Mexica and the Triple Alliance.

05:00

🛡️ The Mexica Empire and the Prelude to European Contact

The second paragraph delves into the rise of the Mexica people, who originated from the Chichimeca and migrated to the central region of Mesoamerica. It describes the foundation of Mexico-Tenochtitlan and the Mexica's initial tributary status to other city-states, their eventual alliance with Tlacopan and Texcoco, and the formation of the Triple Alliance. The Mexica's expansion and dominance over Mesoamerica is detailed, including their monumental temples, extensive trade networks, and tribute systems. The paragraph also discusses the Mexica's religious practices, particularly the significance of war and human sacrifice to their pantheon of gods. The resentment towards Mexica rule among conquered peoples is mentioned, hinting at the eventual downfall of the empire. The paragraph ends with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, setting the stage for the encounter between the Mexica and the Spanish, which will be explored in the next chapter of the historical narrative.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Monte Albán

Monte Albán was an important pre-Columbian archaeological site in Oaxaca, Mexico. It served as a significant center of power during the video's discussed period. The script mentions Monte Albán in the context of the great cultures that consolidated during the late period, indicating its role in the political and cultural landscape of Mesoamerica.

💡Teotihuacán

Teotihuacán was an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a suburban area northeast of modern-day Mexico City. The script refers to Teotihuacán as one of the great cultures that consolidated during the period in question, highlighting its influence on the region's political and religious systems.

💡Maya

The Maya civilization is known for its time during the Classic Period in Mesoamerica. The script discusses the Maya as one of the great cultures that consolidated during the late period, emphasizing their contributions to the development of calendars and numeration systems.

💡Postclassic Period

The Postclassic Period refers to the era following the fall of the great Mesoamerican civilizations like Teotihuacán and Monte Albán. The script describes the Postclassic as a time of power struggles, military fortifications, and the rise of new cities and cultures.

💡Cacaxtla

Cacaxtla was a fortified city in central Mexico, known for its military strength. The script mentions Cacaxtla in the context of power struggles, indicating its role in the military conflicts of the period.

💡Xochicalco

Xochicalco was a fortified center in the modern-day state of Morelos, Mexico. The script refers to Xochicalco as another city that contested power during the period, suggesting its significance in the political shifts of the time.

💡Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya civilization. The script discusses Chichén Itzá as a city that enjoyed its peak during the Postclassic Period, indicating its cultural and political importance.

💡Tula

Tula, also known as Tollan, was a city in the northern part of the Valley of Mexico. The script mentions Tula as the central place of the god Quetzalcóatl, with rulers considering themselves descendants of the god, reflecting the city's religious and cultural significance.

💡Chichimecas

The Chichimecas were a group of nomadic tribes from the northern part of Mesoamerica. The script describes the Chichimecas as settlers who moved south and played a significant role in the cultural and political changes of the Postclassic Period.

💡Triple Alliance

The Triple Alliance refers to the political union formed by the city-states of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. The script discusses the Triple Alliance as the entity that led to the rise of the Aztec Empire, which dominated much of Mesoamerica.

💡Tzompantli

A Tzompantli is a skull rack used by the Aztecs to display the skulls of defeated enemies. The script mentions the Tzompantli in the context of the religious practice of human sacrifice and the cultural significance of warfare.

Highlights

Consolidation of major cultures like Teotihuacan, Mayans, and the Totonac with advanced calendars and numeration systems.

Power centers like Teotihuacan, Monte Albán, and Tikal faced challenges from cities like Cacaxtla, Xochicalco, and El Estor.

Military strengthening and the rise of warfare and warrior gods during the Late Classic period.

Emergence of new trade routes and political realignments with new settlements controlling strategic territories.

Prestige associated with being a soldier and the sacred status of war in religion and art.

Practice of human sacrifices and tzompantli increased, exemplified by scenes of battles and gods in art.

Abandonment of Monte Albán and population reduction in Teotihuacan due to rivalries and conflicts.

The Postclassic period marked by the search for new territories and the establishment of new settlements in Central Mexico.

Rise of cities like Tula, Chichen Itza, and the influence of the Toltec culture in the region.

Tula's significance as the central place of the god Quetzalcoatl and its divine justification for power.

Cultural exchange and shared symbols among Mesoamerican peoples, including calendars and codices.

Tula's sudden collapse due to internal divisions leading to migrations and the Late Postclassic period.

Migration and establishment of new settlements by the Chichimeca, Acolhua, Tepanec, and Otomi peoples.

The rise of the Mexica people from the north and their legendary migration guided by the god of war, Huitzilopochtli.

Formation of the Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, leading to the Mexica dominance in Mesoamerica.

The Maya area's independence and its intense commercial ties with the rest of Mesoamerica.

The Mexica's Tenochtitlan as a monumental city with temples, plazas, and extensive cultivation zones.

Religious practices involving multiple gods representing cosmic forces and the significance of time cycles.

Tenochtitlan's complex tribute system and extensive commercial network.

The Mexica's warrior culture and the role of alliances and military strategy in forming a powerful empire.

Resentment towards Mexica rulers and the consequences for Mesoamerica's future.

European exploration and the encounter between Spain and the Mesoamerican civilizations.