Rapid Review
Although the Aztecs built on Mesoamerican tradition to establish a powerful empire in the valley of
Mexico, the Andean highlands also saw the emergence of an extremely native empire in the centuries
before European conquest. The Aztecs ruled other peoples with brutality, whereas the Incas
concentrated on integrating subject peoples into their empire. Aztec peoples engaged in long-distance
trade, while the Incas were noted for the careful organization of their empire and their system of
roads. In addition to the natives of Mesoamerica and Andean America, native peoples of the
Mississippian culture of North America also constructed large mounds used for ceremonial and
burial purposes.
Review Questions
1 . Both the Aztecs and Incas
(A) allowed women a significant role in public life
(B) were originally nomadic people
(C) built on the traditions of their predecessors
(D) integrated conquered peoples into their empire
2 . Aztec and Inca religions
(A) restricted the worship of subject peoples
(B) stressed a personal relationship with their gods
(C) placed women in a subordinate position
(D) reflected the agrarian nature of their respective societies
3 . The natives of North America
(A) built empires on the scale of those of Mesoamerica
(B) demonstrated no signs of contact with Mesoamerican or Andean societies or civilizations
(C) established tribute empires
(D) used architectural designs similar to those of Mesoamerica
4 . Which of the American societies altered their environment most extensively?
(A) The Aztecs
(B) The Mississippians
(C) The Toltecs
(D) The Incas
5 . The Aztec and Inca civilizations differed most significantly in their
(A) religious institutions
(B) technological skill
(C) system of recordkeeping
(D) social structure
6 . Trade among the peoples of the Americas