Many different societies existed in the Americas between 1200 and 1450 CE. We will look at several major ones. The first was in North America.

Haudenosaunee

Around 1200, a very important meeting took place around New York State. It was attended by chiefs of the Iroquois nations. These were the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk. These five Iroquois groups had been fighting for years. At the meeting, they agreed to unite. The new union was known as the Haudenosaunee.

The five tribes of the Haudenosaunee were all based in different parts of what is now New York State. Each tribe had a matriarchal hierarchy, meaning women held positions of power. These women worked with the male council to govern the tribe. Around 1720, the Tuscarora nation was added to the Haudenosaunee.

The Haudenosaunee was the most powerful force in North America for centuries. It did not lose its power until the 1700s. By then, many European colonists had arrived. They took over traditional Native American lands.

Aztec

Let’s look now at Central and South America. Between 1200 and 1450, there were three major groups in those areas. These were the Aztecs, the Incas, and the Mayas. All three created complex societies, and they shared similar beliefs and ways of life.

According to their own history, the Aztec people came from Aztlan. It was their original home. They left Aztlan looking for a new home. When they reached the right place, there would be a sign that they should stay. At last, they reached an island in the Valley of Mexico. There they received the sign: an eagle on a cactus with a snake in its mouth. In 1325, they began to build their new home, Tenochtitlan.

The Aztecs built huge pyramids. Some are still around today. They also created cities and major markets. Their religion included a belief that the world was going to end soon. The Aztecs believed there was one way to delay the end of the world. They performed rituals, including human sacrifice.

The Aztecs conquered many neighboring peoples. The people they took over had to pay tribute. These were payments in the form of food or precious items. Over time, the Aztec capital grew larger and stronger.

Mayapan

Yucatán is located in southern Mexico. It was the home of the Maya. Most of the Classic Maya cities had collapsed by 1200. Mayapan was one Maya city that had not collapsed. Outside groups came to Mayapan, such as the Toltec. The Toltec brought new practices, culture, and even new gods. Mayapan was built with pyramids and a large plaza. Over time it became increasingly important as a trading power. Between 1250 and 1450, Mayapan was the center of the Yucatecan Maya civilization. Its people excelled in mathematics, calendar-making, astronomy, writing and the arts. In 1450, the city was abandoned. No one is certain why this happened.

Inca

The Inca Empire was the most successful empire in the Americas in this period. It was established around 1100. The Incas believed they were created by the Sun god Inti. They believed Inti’s children first arrived at the Valley of Cusco. There they created the Inca capital, Cusco.¹ The ruler of Inca society was called Sapa Inca. He was Inti’s representative on Earth.

Around 1250, the Incas began to expand their lands. They invaded villages and set up new Inca colonies. They forced conquered people to pay tribute.

This system relied on a network of roads. These roads were very well built. Messengers called chasqui ran the roads carrying information and instructions. They ran up to 250 kilometers in one day. Knotted strings called quipu were used to record important events. Eventually the Inca ruled the Andes. Their empire stretched from today’s Colombia into Argentina.

The Incas built magnificent temples to honor Inti. Temple priests made sacrifices to the gods. Young women served as priestesses. Various rocks, streams, mountains, and trees were seen as holy places. These were called huacas. People left offerings beside them.

Inca spiritual leaders performed cures. They also warned of natural disasters. Their healing practices have survived into the present. Today, the Inca heritage is still very important in Peru.

Connections

The communities of the Americas were very varied before 1450. No “single story” can cover their history. Overall, it was a time of increasing connections between societies. It was also a period in which some very large states emerged.

1 If you’re thinking about the animated movie The Emperor’s New Groove right now, yes that was set in sort of the same place, but historically speaking, the movie creators may have taken a few liberties.