Question

select the correct answer.
in what way were the maya similar to the aztec and the inca?
a. all three followed a polytheistic model of religion.
b. all three benefited from contact with europe, asia, and africa.
c. all three were conquered by hernán cortés.
d. all three used heavy force to control their citizens.
e. all three dealt with famine and drought.

Explanation:

• Option A: The Maya, Aztec, and Inca all had polytheistic religions. They worshiped multiple gods. For example, the Aztecs had gods like Huitzilopochtli (god of war and sun).
• Option B: The Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations were in the Americas. Before European contact (which was often harmful, not beneficial in a positive - cultural - exchange sense for them), they had limited contact with Europe, Asia, and Africa. European contact brought diseases, conquest, and exploitation.
• Option C: Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs. The Inca were conquered by Francisco Pizarro, and the Maya civilization had already declined before the major Spanish conquests (though there were later Spanish efforts against remaining Maya groups).
• Option D: While the Aztec empire had a system of tribute and control, the Inca had a more administrative - control system (like the mita labor system) rather than “heavy force” in the same sense as some might think. The Maya city - states had a more complex system of alliances and power structures that was not primarily based on heavy - force citizen control.
• Option E: There is no evidence that all three civilizations dealt with famine and drought in a comparable and defining way. The Inca had an advanced agricultural system (like terraces) to deal with their environment, but this was not a common, defining similarity with the Maya and Aztec in terms of famine and drought.

Answer:

A. All three followed a polytheistic model of religion.