State Building in the Americas

THEMATIC FOCUS Governance GOV

A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE Unit 1: Learning Objective I

Explain how and why states in the Americas developed and changed over time.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS KC-3.2.I.D.i

In the Americas, as in Afro-Eurasia, state systems demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity, and expanded in scope and reach.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

State systems in the Americas:

Maya city-states

Mexica

Inca

Chaco

Mesa Verde

Cahokia