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Mayan Economic System

Economic System

The Mayans had a socialists system, with a mix of capitalism. They did not trade much, but if they did, it would be considered a capitalism-socialism mix.

Mayan Trade

Trade

The Mayans traded many items including luxuries and necessities, although not very often. Food items such as fish, cacao beans, and yams were traded throughout the area. Other items such as clothes, jewelry and feathers were also exported. Some merchants were nobles, but the majority of them were middle class citizens. The Maya didn't have pack animals, so all their trading was by foot or by canoes.

Social Class ( double click to enlarge)

NOBLES

COMMONERS

Maya nobles were filled the priesthood, became government officials, court officers, town rulers, scribes, tribute collectors, military leaders and administrators. They had an abundance of wealth and power.

Mayan commoners played a huge role in the agriculture of the Maya. They were the farmers, laborers, and servants. They were about 90% of the population, and paid taxes to the government. They also took part in warfare, and if they did well they could advance up the ranks.

Economic Hierarchy

SLAVES

SERFS

Slaves were the lowest class in the Mayan society. They were property of their owners.

A serf is an agricultural worker who works on a lord's estate.

Triangle

Currency

The Mayans quite literally used chocolate as money (they never used coins). In their culture it was worth a good sum of "money". More specifically, they used cacao beans, the primary ingredient in chocolate!

As a bonus, they also bartered

items such as copper bells and jewelry.

They also made counterfeit money by taking out the flesh from the cacao pod and replacing it with dirt or avocado rind.

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