Aztecs Flashcards
How did the location of the Aztecs provide security?
They had mountains surrounding them.
Why was trade important for the Aztec empire?
It drove the economy, expanded their land, and gave them materials and tools.
What was the role of the warrior?
They took prisoners for their sacrifices.
How did the Aztecs end up in Tenochtitlan?
They saw an eagle on a cactus eating a snake.
What is chinampa?
It is a floating garden. A small artificial island built on a fresh lake for agricultural purposes.
How does the Aztec calendar work?
A ritual cycle of 260 days and a 365-day circle cycle.
What was a tribute?
Warrior costumes, shields and tropical feathers.
Who was Moctemzuma?
The ninth Aztec emperor.
What were the roles of the emperor?
- He oversaw markets and temples
- Led the military
What were signs of status with the Aztecs?
Hierarchy, religion, and expansion
What was the educational system for the Aztecs
Boys between the ages of 10 and 20 were required to attend school. Lower-class boys attended feltocholli.
Why were the merchants important to the expansion of the Aztecs empire.
It helped them sell goods and trade so the empire could grow.
What was the main way to move up in Aztec society?
Through priesthood or military. Slaves who escaped and made it to the palace would be set free.
Why were all boys expected to be warriors?
Aztecs had little army so they needed more.
What are 3 roles women served in Aztec society?
Mothers, priests, merchants, weavers, midwives, healers, and housekeepers.
What are some virtues of the ideal Aztec citizen?
Courage, clean living, self-sacrifice, obedience, and modesty.
What is the Spanish inquisition?
It was a social institution to combat heresy in Spain that started in 1478 and ended in 1834. Heresy is a belief or action at odds with what is accepted
Why did the Muslims begin to decline in Spain?
Increasing aggression and a series of campaigns from the Catholics
What was Catholic Spain’s worldview after the reconquest?
After the Reconquista, Muslims and Jews who lived in Spain were forced to convert to Christianity or were expelled from the country.
Why was gold a motivation for exploration?
People believed they could get rich quick
Why was sending missionaries on explorations important?
So their empire could expand and grow due to new settlements and trade
How were horses an advantage for the Spanish?
- Horses provided faster transportation and could pull heavy things.
- Men on horse’s back could charge through enemy forces taking down lots of men.
What did the Aztecs think of the Spanish for the first time?
They were fascinated by light-skinned men and men on horses. The Spanish fired shots and further impressed them.
What did the Spanish think of the Aztecs for the first time?
They hated them because they raided their settlements for people to sacrifice for their gods.
Who was Malinche?
She was the duaghter of a aztec cacique cheif. She was a good translator for the Spanish to help them understand others like the Aztecs.
Who are Mestizo’s?
An evenly mixed Indian and Hispanic ancestry person.
What does the Spanish hierarchy look like?
Peninsular at the top, creoles, mestizos and muletas, enslaved Africans and Native Americans at the bottom.
What does the Aztec hierarchy look like?
Emperor at the top, nobility and priests, merchants and artisans and soldiers, farmers and fishers and women and slaves at the bottom.
