Pre-Columbian Civilizations and European Economic Evolution

Navigation and Mapping Tools

Astrolabe: A navigation tool based on the position of stars. Compass: A tool used to determine the northern direction. Tables: English instruments used for measurements and mapping.

The Aztec Empire

Located in the Valley of Mexico since the 12th century, the Aztec civilization was sustained by an alliance of three major cities: Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, and Tlacopan. This warrior society was organized into tribes and divided into social groups. Their economy relied on the cultivation of corn and other agricultural products, such as tomatoes.

The Maya Civilization

The Maya were an ancient civilization located in the Yucatan Peninsula, the lowlands of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. They organized themselves into city-states, with the supreme ruler residing in the city of Mayapan. Their society was divided into four social classes: nobles, priests, peasants, and slaves.

The Inca Empire

The Inca Empire was the largest in the region, encompassing parts of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. They built a vast network of roads spanning 40,000 km. Their social pyramid was topped by the Sapa Inca, considered the child of the Sun. The population worked in agriculture (maize and potatoes) and livestock (llamas and alpacas). They were skilled in metallurgy, crafting beautiful objects from gold and other materials.

Economic Changes in Europe

• Population Growth: Peace favored steady demographic expansion.
• Agricultural Surplus: Improved harvests led to better food security and tradeable surpluses.
• Trade Expansion: Discoveries extended global trade routes.
• Financial Innovation: Improved banking systems introduced new payment methods and loans.
• Urban Renaissance: Cities like Venice, Florence, Antwerp, Lisbon, Seville, and London flourished.

Social Transformations

A) Nobility and Clergy: The privileged classes were exempt from taxes, held the best positions, and remained a minority group.

B) Bourgeoisie: A non-privileged social group that gained significant importance. It consisted of large traders and bankers who acquired political power, often through marriage alliances with noble families.

C) Peasants: The majority of the population, still living in harsh conditions with few political resources.

Political Changes

• Creation of centralized administrations dependent on the King.
• Strengthening of royal authority.
• Tax increases to fund the King's army.
• Development of an important diplomatic network.

The Rise of Great Kingdoms

Medieval Europe was divided into small states, but from the 15th century, many unified through marriages or conquests, forming the foundations of modern countries such as France, Spain, England, and Russia.