The decline of the southern lowlands

Definition

The decline of the southern lowlands refers to the significant collapse of the ancient Mayan civilization in the southern region, marked by population decrease, urban abandonment, and a shift in power dynamics. This decline was characterized by political fragmentation, warfare, and environmental factors that ultimately disrupted the complex network of alliances and rivalries among city-states, leading to their downfall.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The decline of the southern lowlands took place around the 8th to 9th centuries AD, leading to a notable drop in population and the abandonment of major cities such as Tikal and Calakmul.
2. Political alliances among city-states became increasingly strained as resources dwindled, resulting in rising tensions and frequent conflicts between competing powers.
3. Environmental factors, particularly prolonged droughts, severely affected agricultural yields, making it difficult for densely populated areas to sustain their populations.
4. As city-states faced internal strife and external threats, many rulers lost their legitimacy, which led to social upheaval and the weakening of centralized power structures.
5. The decline did not happen uniformly; some areas continued to thrive for a time while others fell into chaos, reflecting the complexity of political dynamics during this period.

Review Questions

• How did political alliances among the city-states contribute to the decline of the southern lowlands?
  • Political alliances among city-states were initially crucial for mutual defense and trade. However, as drought conditions worsened and resources became scarce, these alliances weakened. Rivalries escalated into conflict as competing city-states sought control over dwindling resources, leading to wars that fragmented these alliances and contributed to the overall decline of the region.
• Discuss the impact of warfare on the political landscape of the southern lowlands during its decline.
  • Warfare played a significant role in reshaping the political landscape during the decline of the southern lowlands. As competition for resources intensified due to environmental stressors, city-states engaged in more frequent conflicts. This resulted in a cycle of destruction where victories often led to temporary gains but also further destabilized political structures. The increasing number of conflicts fragmented existing alliances, ultimately resulting in a chaotic power struggle that contributed to societal collapse.
• Evaluate how environmental factors intersected with political dynamics to accelerate the decline of the southern lowlands.
  • Environmental factors like prolonged drought were critical in accelerating the decline of the southern lowlands by exacerbating existing political tensions. As agriculture faltered due to water scarcity, city-states faced food shortages that strained their economies and reduced their populations. This environmental crisis fueled rivalries as cities competed for limited resources. The combination of environmental pressures with existing political rivalries created a perfect storm that destabilized governance and led to widespread abandonment of urban centers.

Related terms

City-States: Independent political entities that consist of a city and its surrounding territory, each with its own ruler and governance structure, common in ancient Mayan civilization.

Drought: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, which played a significant role in environmental stress that contributed to the decline of agricultural production in the southern lowlands.

Warfare: Conflicts between city-states that intensified during the period leading to the decline, exacerbating political fragmentation and resource competition.