World History AP1 November 2002Similarities & Differences of Societies of Central and South AmericaThe Central and South American societies evolved separately, but both resulted in early complex societies. The Mesoamerican societies of the Toltecs, Mayans, and the Mexica (Aztecs), maintained an empire of regional conquered states. A moist environment of Mesoamerica led to the development of such practices of chinampas. The tightly centralized government of the Incas, in conjunction with the intricate system of government and communication led to the development of this culture. The Mayan and Inca process of evolution of an empire was different, but the result of a centralized government ...view middle of the document...
Thus, the Mesoamerican peoples had a centralized government. A large, powerful army and good defenses led to their military success. With the success of conquering, and the large temples and structures; in combination with an expansive trade system, the Mesoamericans earned great cultural influence. However, the Mesoamerican people did not learn how to effectively govern these surrounding lands. The Incas of South America learned how to conquer and govern.The Incas lived on the western coast of South America. Located mostly on the Andes Mountains they were not a grain agricultural society. The Inca peoples had to trade for grain with people at lower elevations. The trade interaction led to the cultural expansion of the Incas. The Incas in turn developed a strong, connected centralized government. The empire was linked by two wide roads that stretched two thousand miles. The people of the Incas were governed by many bureaucrats. The bureaucrats had a unique system of remembering things. They used a quipu, a series of knotted cords to help them remember large quantities of information to help the government govern better. The Incas intricate system of government and the necessity for trade led to cultural expansion.Mesoamerican societies focus of military and agriculture led to the predetermined success of an empire. The Incas rational of a connecting empire, which participated greatly in trade also led to a successful empire. The Mesoamerican and Inca people both evolved separately, but both societies reached the outcome of cultural domination and government centralization.