Aztecs + Spaniards

Question 1

What were the key elements of the worldview of the Aztec civilization before contact with the spanish

Answer 1

a. Religion: Worshiped a pantheon of gods and practiced elaborate rituals including human sacrifice.
b. Knowledge: had two schools that separated social classes. They did not have written language but had glyphs and oral tradiation
c. Time: believed in a cyclical view of time and the universe, with multiple epochs and the necessity of maintaining cosmic balance.
d. Society: Society was highly stratified, with a ruling elite, nobles, priests, warriors, and commoners.
e. Value: Engaged in frequent warfare for territorial expansion, resources, and captives for sacrifice (religion).
f. Economy: Had extensive trade networks, including tribute systems with subjects states. They used cacao beans as currency.
g. Geography: Lived on an island. Depended heavily on agriculture, particularly maise(corn), and developed sophisticated farming techniques like chinampas (floating gardens)

Question 2

How did the Aztec civilization worldview influence the Aztecs choices, decisions, and customs?

Answer 2

a. RELIGIOUS MATTERS: Human sacrifice was central to maintaining the favor of the gods, influencing decisions such as warfare and captive acquisition.
b. SOCIAL HIERARCHY: Governed political and economic decisions, with the ruling elite holding significant power.
c. AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES: Shaped farming techniques and the allocation of resources.
d. MILITARY EXPANSION: Guided by the belief in territorial expansion and the acquisition of tribute.

Question 3

What key elements of Spain’s worldview led to the desire to expand the spanish empire?

Answer 3

God: Motivated by Catholicism and the desire to spread Christianity to non-christian lands.
Gold: Seeking wealth, resources, and trade routes to Asia
Glory: Aspiring to compete with other European powers and establish dominance
Feudal Mentality: Echoing medieval feudalism, with the monarch at the helm of a hierarchical society.

Question 4

In what ways did factors such as technology and disease contribute to the dominance of the Spanish over the Aztec civilization?

Answer 4

a. TECHNOLOGY: Superior weaponry such as guns, cannons, and steel armor gave the Spanish a military advantage.
b. DISEASE: Europeans unwittingly brought DISEASE like smallpox, which devastated Aztec populations, leading to social disarray and weakening resistance.

Question 5

To what extend were the divergent worldviews of the Spanish and Aztecs factors the dominance of one nation over the other

Answer 5

a. Religious conflict: The clash between the Aztec polytheism and the Spanish Catholicism led to cultural and religious tensions.
b. Social hierarchies: Contrasting views on societal organization and government influenced power dynamics and resistance.
c. Perception of the other: Misunderstandings and prejudices based on cultural differences contributed to conflict and exploitation.

Question 6

Aztec seven worldviews
SOCIETY

Answer 6

a. Highly stratified with a rigid social hierarchy consisting of rulers, nobles, priests, warriors, and commoners.
I. Feudal Pyramid: Reflects the hierarchical structure of the Aztec society, with the ruler at the top, followed by nobles, warriors, priests, artisans, and farmers.

Question 7

Economy:

Answer 7

Primarily agrarian-based economy, with maize as the staple crop. Tribute system from subject states played a significant role in the economy.
Trade and money: Extensive trade networks existed, utilizing a barter system with cacao beans serving as currency.

Question 8

Geography

Answer 8

The Aztecs settled in central Mexico, where they founded their capital, Tenochtitlan, on an island in Lake Texcoco.

Question 9

Knowledge

Answer 9

Aztec education focused primarily on transmitting practical skills, religious teachings, and cultural values. Education was primarily conducted through schools called calmelacs and telpochcalli.

Question 10

Time

Answer 10

Calendars: utilize a complex calendar system, including the 260 day ritual calendar (tonalpohualli), and the 365 solar day calendar (xiuhpohualli)

Question 11

Beliefs and Religion

Answer 11

Polytheistic religion with a pantheon of gods, led by Huitzilopotchli, the sun god and patron deity of the Aztecs. Religious rituals and ceremonies were centralized to daily life.
I. Important Gods: Besides Huitzilopotchli, other significant gods included Quetzalcoatl ( feathered serpent god), Tlaloc ( rain god), and Tezcatlipoca ( God of destiny and sorcery)

Question 13

Rituals and ceremonies

Answer 13

Included elaborate are religious rituals like human sacrifice conducted to appease the gods to maintain cosmic balance. Festivals, daces, and ceremonies were also integral to Aztec culture.

Question 14

Spanish worldviews: Exploration

Answer 14

I: The “three Gs”, encapsulate the primary motivations behind Spanish colonization, Gold, God, glory
ii: God represents the pursuit of wealth and material riches, particularly through the extractib of precious metals like gold and silver from the Americas.
III: Glory refers to the quest for prestige, power. and honour, as Spanish explorers and conquistadors sought to expand the Spanish empire and secure their place in history
IIIi: God reflects the religious mission of the Spanish crown, as the Catholic monarchs sought to spread Christianity and convert indigenous populations to Catholicism.

Question 15

B. Spanish Reconquest

Answer 15

I. The Spanish Reconquest, also known as the Reconquesta, was a centuries-long campaign by Christian kingdoms to retake the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule.
ii. It fostered a sense of national identity and unity among the Christian kingdoms of Spain, fueled by religious fervor and the desire to reclaim lost territory.
III. The Reconquesta culminated in the capture of Granada in 1492, marking the end of Muslim rule in Spain and paving the way for the Age of Exploration.

Question 16

Spanish inquisition

Answer 16

I: the Spanish inquisition was a powerful institution established by Catholic monarchs Ferdinand ad Isabella to enforced religious orthodoxy and combat heresy in Spain.
ii: It employed methods of investigation , interrogation, and punishment to root out percieved threats to Catholicism, including Jews, Muslims, and converses (converts from Judaism or Islam)
III: The Spanish inquisition played a significant role in shaping Spanish society and politics, fostering fear and suspicion while also consolidating royal authority and not promoting religious uniformity.

Question 17

D. Spanish Conquest

Answer 17

I. CONQUISTADORS FORMULA
1. The conquistadors formula refers to the strategies employed by the Spanish conquistadors to conquer and colonize the Americas.
2. This included exploiting divisions among indigenous people, forging alliances with indigenous groups opposed to Aztecs or Inca rule, and using Superior military technology such as, firearms and horses, to gain an advantage in battle.
3. The conquistadors also utilized psychological warfare tactics, such as the capture and execution of indigenous leaders, to instill fear and subdue resistance.

Question 17

Conquistadors formula: Step 1: Scouting and reconnaisnace

Answer 17

1. Conquistadors conducted thorough reconnaisnace and scouting missions yo gather intelligence on the terrain resources, and indigenous populations of the target area.
2. This involved fathering information on local alliances rivalries, vulnerabilities, and potential allies among the indigenous groups

Question 18

Step 2: establishment of Alliances

Answer 18

1. Conquistadors sought to exploit existing divisions and rivalries among indigenous groups by forming strategic Alliances with those opposed to the dominant power.
2. They often leveraged rivalries between indigenous kingdoms, tribes, and city-states to gain support and military assistance in their conquests.

Question 19

Step 3: Psychological warefare

Answer 19

1. Conquistadors used Psychological tactics to intimidate and demoralize indigenous populations, often through displays of prowess and brutality
2. This included capturing and executing indigenous leaders, public displays violence, and the destruction of religious and cultural systems to instill fear and submission.

Question 20

Step 4: Military Superiority

Answer 20

1. Conquistadors relied on their technological Superiority, including firearms, cannons, metal armor, and war horses, to gain a decisive advantage in battles against indigenous forces.
2. They utilized tactics and strategies honed through years of warfare in Europe to defeat later indigenous armies and conquer forfeited cities and settlements.

Question 21

Step 5: establishment of colonial rule

Answer 21

1. After military conquest conquistadors established the colonial administration to govern newly acquired territories.
2. They imposed Saish authority though the establishment of colonial governments, economienda systems, and the conversion of indigenous populations to Christianity.
3. This phase involved the exploitation of indigenous labor, resources enriching the Spanish crown and colonists, leading to the economic, social and cultural transformations of the conquered territories.

Question 22

Spanish Colonization

Answer 22

1. Spanish Colonization involved the establishment of colonial governments and institutions aimed at exploiting the resources and labor of indigenous populations.
2. The ecomienda system granted Spanish settlers land and indigenous labor in exchange for their responsibilities to Christianize and “civilize” the native population
3. Spanish colonization propounded impact on indigenous societies, leading to population decline, cultural assimilation, and the loss of autonomy and traditional ways of life for many indigenous communities.

Question 23

Summarize the legend of the Aztecs move to Tenochtitlan in your own words

Answer 23

a. According to the Aztec legend the migration of the Aztec people began where they were guided by their patron god Huitzilopotchli to leave their ancestral homeland of Aztlan. They were instructed to search for a sign- an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a serpent which would indicate their destined settlement. After many years of wandering they finally encountered this sign on a small island in Lake Texcoco. They interpreted this as a divine sign and establish their capital city Tenochtitlan, on that very spot. This marked the beginning of the rise of the Aztec civilization.

Question 24

Explain how the geography of the Aztecs impacted their beliefs

Answer 24

a. The geography of the Aztec civilization situated on an island in Lake Texcoco, influenced their beliefs in various ways. They viewed their home as the canter of the universe and believed it o be a scared place, connected their creation myth. Additionally, the surrounding mountains an natural features were seen as inhabited by God’s and spirits, shaping their religious practices and rituals. The presence of a lake also influenced their agricultural practice, as they developed innovate methods such as chinampas, or floating gardens, to cultivate crops in marshy terrain.

Question 25

Explain three ways the Aztec overcame any obstacles/ challenges caused by the geography of where they settled

Answer 25

a. Chinampas: the Aztec created chinampas artificla island ade from woven eeds and mud, to expand there agricultual land and grow crops in the swampy terrain around lake Texcoco.
b. Causeway: They constructed caueyas, raised roads and bridges, to connect their island capital of Tenochtitlan to the mainland, facilitating trade, communications, and military ccess.
c. Terrain farming: In the surrounding mountains, they practiced terrace farming, carving steeped agricultural plots into the hillsides to maximize arable land and mitigate the challenges of rugged terrain.
d. Dam/dykes: To control the water levels in Lake Texcoco and prevent flooding, Aztecs built dams and dykes. These structures helped regulate water flow, protect against inundation, and maintain the stability of their settlements built around the lakes shores.

Question 26

Who were the 4 God’s and why were they important to the Aztecs?

Answer 26

a. Huitzilopotchli: The patron god of the Aztecs and the sun god, who guided them on their migration and was central to their founding myth. He symbolized war, the sun, and the triumph of light over darkness.
b. Quetzalcoatl: The featured serpent god, associated with wisdom, creation, an fertility. He was reversed as a cultural hero and the bringer of civilization.
c. Tlaloc: The rain god, responsible for fertility and agriculture.He was worshiped to ensure bountiful harvests and to prevent droughts and natural disasters.
d. Tezcatlipoca: The god of destiny, sorcery, and the night sky. He represented change, temptations, and unpredictable forces of fate.

Question 27

Who was Cortes.

Answer 27

a. Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted the fall of Aztec empire and the conquest of Mexico. In 1519, he arrived in Yucatan peninsula with a small amount of force of soldiers, intent on exploring and colonizing that region. Cortes capitalized on divisions among indigenous groups, technological superiority, and alliances with rival indigenous people to conquer the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521, effectively ending Aztec rule in mesamerica.

Question 28

What was Cortes opinion of the Aztec beliefs

Answer 28

Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador viewed the Aztec belief a pagan and idolatrous. They saw the Aztec practice human sacrifice, in particular, as a barbaric and contrary to their own Christian beliefs. However it’s essential to recognize that this opinion was influenced by cultural and religious differences, as well a the Spanish desire to justify their conquest and conversion effort.

Question 29

What qualities made him a good leader

Answer 29

A good leaders possesses various qualities, which might include charisma, strategic thinking, decisiveness, empathy, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. Montezuma ll demonstrated leadership qualities such as maintaining stability within his empire, expanding its border through military conquest, and fostering trade and diplomacy with neighboring regions. However his leadership was ultimately challenged by the arrival of Cortes and the Spanish forces.

Question 30

How was moctezumas worldviews a factor in a defeat of the aztecs

Answer 30

Moctezumas worldviews and beliefs played a significant role in the downfall of the Aztecs empire. His initial reactions over Cortes wee mixed artly due to Aztec prophecies and superstitions that forehead return of the god quetzilpcotji which some beliefs