The State Systems of Central America

The State System of Central America was highly organised. Three civilisations comprising the Incas, the Mayas and the Aztecs flourished. Each had its distinct societal structures, cultural traditions and landholding laws. The availability of surplus corn, a staple of Central America, was one of the main reasons these civilisations settled and thrived here. They also made significant progress in various spheres of life. Architectural splendours like the remains of the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu and the Teotihuacan pyramids are among their significant achievements and continue to attract visitors even today.  

The State System of Central America: A Look at the Ancient Civilisations of Incas, Mayas and Aztecs

The three ancient civilisations saw the spectacular rise and decline at different historical points. Their conquests, cultures, traditions and laws helped them to establish the great state systems of Central America and Peru.

The Aztecs

The Aztecs had moved into the central valley of Mexico from the north in the 12th century. Certain elements in their traditions suggest that they were originally a tribe of hunters and gatherers residing in the arid northern Mexican plateau before their migration. During the 15th and early 16th centuries, they established a vast empire in the region, which is central and southern Mexico. They were highly proficient in trade and agriculture. Their accomplishments in art and architecture were also commendable.  

Socio-political Structure  

The Aztec society followed a hierarchical system. The king of this state system of Central America was regarded as the sun’s representative on earth. He was chosen from among a group of nobles as the leader—this highly respected group comprised nobles by birth, priests, and those awarded the rank. There was a huge bureaucratic setup with governors, tax collectors, courts of justice, military garrisons, mail and messenger services, and other city offices. Then came the group of traders, artisans, physicians and teachers who also commanded respectable positions in the society.

Agriculture and Landholding

The success of the Aztecs in building one of the great empires of the state systems of Central America was due to their remarkably efficient system of agriculture that resulted in high yields. This, in turn, led to a rich state with a healthy population. Their agricultural system involved intensive cultivation of all available lands and reclaimed lands. They made chinampas, artificial islands made by weaving huge reed mats and covering them with mud and plants. The region’s mild climate and the availability of ample water for irrigation resulted in multiple harvests every year.

People cultivated corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, manioc roots, potatoes and other crops. The land was owned only by noble clans. Peasants were attached to these lands and cultivated in exchange for a part of the harvest.

The Mayas

The Mayan civilization was among the most flourishing state systems of Central America. They originated in the Yucatan around 2600 B.C. and rose to prominence 250 AD. They are the indigenous people of Mexico who have continuously inhabited present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize and western Honduras. They are famous for their ceremonial architecture, hieroglyphic writings, calendar system and contributions to astronomy.

Governance

Around 300 B.C., the Maya adopted a hierarchical system of government. The king held a semi-divine status and mediator between the men and gods. Higher-ranking members of the aristocracy sponsored official posts in the administrative structure, and the officials were deemed to be “owned” by their patrons.

Mayan Society

As early as 1500 BC, the Maya had settled in villages and cultivated corn, beans, and squash. They were skilled farmers. They built underground reservoirs to store rainwater for cultivating areas where water was scarce. Their weaving and pottery skills were equally good. The Mayas were great builders. They turned their ceremonial centres into cities containing temples, pyramids, palaces, courts for playing ball, and plazas. They also cleared routes through jungles and swamps to foster extensive trade networks with distant tribes.

The Incas

The Incas of Peru, the largest indigenous civilizations in South America, established their capital at Cuzco. According to their legends, they originated from the village of Paqari-tampu, situated 15 miles south of Cuzco. The empire’s expansion started in the early 15th century, and at the peak of their conquests, it stretched for 3000 miles, from the northern border of modern Ecuador to the Maule River in Central Chile. The Incas were great builders and built forts and extensive roadways through the mountains from Ecuador to Chile.

Administration

The Inca Empire of the state systems of Central America and Peru had a highly compartmentalised administrative structure. At the top was the ruler and a group of ten nobles called the panaqa. Next in line came ten more nobles who were distantly related to the king. Below this tier, there was another group of titled nobles, not of Inca blood. The bottom of the state apparatus comprised locally recruited administrators who reported to over 80 regional-level administrators. They, in turn, reported to a governor responsible for each quarter of the empire. The four governors reported to the supreme Inca ruler in Cuzco.

Agriculture and Economy

The Inca civilization was agrarian, its staples being corn, white and sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, peanuts, chilli peppers, cocoa, cassava, and cotton. They raised guinea pigs, ducks, llamas, alpacas, and dogs. Clothing was made of llama wool and cotton. To counter the infertile soil conditions of the Andes, farming on terraced hillslopes was practised.

The Inca economy was unusual. There was no market system and money. There were hardly any traders in the empire. The tax was paid in kind through foodstuffs, precious metals, textiles, exotic feathers, dyes, and spondylus. It could also be paid through service in the army, public work or agriculture.

Conclusion

The Incas, the Mayas, and the Aztecs were thriving civilisations. Their accomplishments in agriculture, art, architecture, vibrant cultures and fascinating religious traditions rank them among the most versatile and interesting ancient civilisations of the world. While studying the state systems of Central America and Peru, it’s also important to read about the early settlers of the Caribbean islands and Brazil to get a holistic understanding of the indigenous tribes of the region.