Mesoamerica

By Pheonix29
  • 150

    Abondoned

    Around 150 AD, many Mayan cities- including El Mirador, were abandoned completely.. Archaeologists don't know why.
  • 500

    El Mirador (Mayans)

    In its heights in 500 BC, as many as 250,000 people lived in El Mirador, (One of the largest cities in that time period) The people who built the structures were very good urban planners.
  • 1200

    The Incas

    Around 1200, they founded the Inca empire around 1200 and made Cuzco their capital.
  • 1250

    Aztecs

    We know nothing about their early history. All we know about it is that they settled in Lake Texcoco around 1250.
  • 1325

    Tenochtitlan

    The Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan in 1325 after wandering and settling in Texcoco.
  • 1438

    Emperor(?)

    Then in 1438, Pachacuti (His name "World-Shaker") ascended to the throne. He was the ninth Sapa Inca. In his leadership, the Incas began a series of quick expansions.
  • 1487

    Sacrificing

    At a religious celebration in 1487, they offered the lives of 84,400 people (Mainly criminals and POWs) Over 4 days.
  • 1502

    Rulers

    The Aztec empire reached its height when Ahuitzotl, ruling the kingdom from 1486 to 1502. After he passed, his son Moctezuma II took over.
  • 1511

    Trading

    Despite not having enormous cities as before, the Maya were still rich with advanced trade, when the Spanish first met them in 1511.
  • 1519

    The arrival

    In 1519, Hernan Cortes and his fellow Spaniards landed on the Gulf Coast. They allied themselves with the local tribe, the Tlaxcala.
  • 1521

    Conquring

    The Spanish first wiped out the Maya's neighbors, the Aztec Empire. In 1521, then moved on to the Mayan cities. The Spanish conquered the northern half of the Mayan lands within 6 years.
  • 1526

    Francisco Pizarro and El Dorado

    In 1526, a Spaniard named Francisco Pizarro organized an expedition. He wanted to find El Dorado, rumors say that the place is full of gold. Pizarro set sail with 2 ships with 160 men. After sailing for awhile, they were in the outskirts of the Inca empire. They were given a warm welcome, thinking they reached El Dorado.
  • Aug 13, 1531

    Take over

    On August 13 1531, they both sacked the capital of Tenochtitlan and brought the Aztec Empire to its knees.
  • Nov 16, 1532

    Suprise!

    Around November 16, 1532,Pizarro returned again- this time, staging a surprise attack. Him and around 200 followers caught the emperor Atahualpa and held him captive- demanding a large ransom of gold and silver.
  • Sep 28, 1533

    Execution

    After receiving more gold and silver then he ever imagined- he killed him on August 29, 1533. In the end, he was sent to jail.

  • The Mayans

    Mayan history starts in 2000 BC, going to 1697. Unlike the Aztecs, they split into various states and tribes.