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968
Tula established by Toltecs
This was significant because Tula would become the capital city for the Toltecs, and from there the empire would grow and flourish. The Toltec culture would form a strongly militaristic ethic. -
1000
Toltec conquest of Chichen Itza and influence in Yucatan
Around 1000 the Toltecs conquered Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula. This was important because from there they would conquer more cities, which demonstrated the might of the Toltec warriors, as well as the spread of the Toltec empire. -
1150
Fall of Tula, disintegration of Toltec Empire
Tula was sacked by nomadic invaders from the north, and from there the rest of the empire was destroyed. This was important because the fall of the Toltecs would allow a new power to emerge. -
Period: 1200 to 1500
Mississippian Culture flourished
The Mississippian culture was the first large scale civilization in North America, which was significant, and was located in what is now the eastern US. Their people created large mounds of earth and had many large cities that were trading centers. They also had a rigid class structure in their society. Animism was what they believed in, and agriculture was very important to their society. They began to decline in 1450 however no one truly knows that actual reason for why this civilization fell. -
1325
Aztecs established in central Mexico; Tenochtitlan founded
A group of around 10,000 people called the Aztecs(or Mexicas) migrated to Lake Texcoco where they would establish Tenchtitlan in central Mexico. This was significant because this empire would last for centuries, and Tenochtitalnd became one of the largest cities in the world. The city was located on the lake, and Mexico City now stands on where it once was. -
1350
Incas established in Cuzco area
Cuzco became the capital of the Inca empire after 55 years of military expeditions that would allow the empire to form and grow which was important because the Incas would be around for a very long time and they influenced the civilizations around them. -
Period: 1434 to 1472
Rule of Nezhualcoytl
Nezhualcoytl ruled the Aztecs in the 15th century. He is most well known for his poems and hymns that he wrote. His hymns were to the "lord of close vicinity" which supported a form of monotheism although it never became very popular. His poems often talked about what life would be like after death. -
Period: 1434 to 1471
Great expansion under Inca Pachacuti
Pachacuti ruled from 1438-1471 and during that period he was able to expand the empire from Cuzco to Lake Titicaca. This is significant because it showed the power and size of the Inca Empire. Not only that, but from the time of this expansion, many more happen which will allow the empire to grow even greater. -
1438
Incas dominate Cuzco and southern highlands
By 1438 the Incas have full power in Cuzco and the surrounding areas. Their leader (Inca) was Pachacuti, and during his time as a ruler, he was able to expand the empire further which showed an increase in their power. -
Period: 1493 to 1527
Huayna Capac expands into Ecuador; his death results in civil war
The Inca empire controlled just about 3,000 miles of land, and there was only so much one could do to keep it under control. Alliances were forged through royal marriages, but this proved to be a problem after the death of the Inca ruler, Huayna Capac. A civil war of succession broke out after his death, which is significant because some believe that the weakened state of the empire from the fighting made it easy for them to be taken over by the Spanish in the 1500s.
