Chapter 7: How Did Geography and History Affect the Worldviews of the Aztec and the Spanish? Flashcards
Where did most of the original societies lived?
in the central basin, the Valley of Mexico
What was the largest lake called?
Lake Texcoco
What was Geography of Mexico like?
Geography of Mexico includes deserts, mountains, tropical forests, ranchland, rich farmland, and sea coasts on the east and west.
What did the Aztec call themselves? And, what helped define them?
The Aztec called themselves Mexica. Pre-columbian and the Americas are defining people and lands from a European ethnocentric viewpoint. The indigenous societies of the continent did not define themselves in relation to Columbus or as living in the Americas.
How much did Spain occupie?
Spain occupies about 80% of the Iberian Peninsula, the Mediterranean Sea is on the southeast side of Spain, the Atlantic Ocean is on the west side, and the Strait of Gibraltar separates it from Africa.
What did the Spanish monarchs wanted towards the end of the 15th century?
Wanted to increase wealth and prestige of Spain by exploring and colonizing new lands. Spain’s location on the Atlantic Ocean was an important factor.
What was climate of Spain like and was it isolated?
The central region of Spain is quite isolated from the rest of spain and from Europe. Climate of Spain is generally rainy in the north and moderated by the ocean, winters are mild and summers are cool.
What was Spain made up of?
individual kingdoms, the mountains and difficulty in navigating the rivers played a huge role in separating them. This regionalism helped shape Spain’s history and culture.
Aztec or Mexica were one of several Nahuatl-speaking what?
Aztec or Mexica, were one of several Nahuatl-speaking groups that included the Culhua-Mexica, the Mexica, and the Tenocha who left the desert-like country of northern Mexico and migrated southward over many years.
What did they do to follow Huitziilopochtli? (Aztec)
One story says that they left because they had offended their main god, Huitzilopochtli, by cutting down a forbidden tree.
They followed Huitzilopochtli, who they believed spoke to their priests and force their followers to keep moving. They believed they were the chosen people of Huitzilopochtli and he would lead them to the land of their destiny.
During the 12th or 13th century where did they end up? (Aztec)
after several generations of going southward, they came to the Valley of Mexico, led by their chieftain, Tenoch. When they arrived, the best lands were taken and they were regarded as barbarous and uncultured people, and they were driven from one location to another.
By the 14th century what alliances and confederations did the Aztec make?
By the 14th century, Alliances and confederations were formed like Tepanecs, Cholulas, and Tlaxcalans. They would have conflicts with the Aztec. Legend has it that the Culhua, most powerful society in the Valley, forced the Aztec to live on the rocky land of Tizapan, an area full of poisonous snakes, thinking it would kill them. Instead, the Aztec captured the snakes and roasted them for food.
In Aztec legends what battle was always happening?
Between night and day
What is the story behind Huitzilopochtli?
Old goddess Coatlicue was pregnant and her eldest daughter, Coyolxauhqui, convinced her 400 brothers in killing her mother. Huitzilopochtli learned of this just in time and burst from Coatlicue’ s belly fully grown and armed and killed Coyolxauhqui and her brothers. She rose to become the moon and the brothers, the stars.
How does the Aztec believe Huitzilopochtli is?
Aztec believed Huitzilopochtli became the sun, that battled and overcame the moon and stars each day as he rode into the sky.
Where did the Aztec eventually settle and why did they think it was their destiny to be there?
Aztec settled on a swampy island in the middle of Lake Texcoco after moving for so many years. They knew it was their land of destiny because they saw an eagle perched on a nopal cactus, holding a rattlesnake- the sign that had been foretold to their leader, Tenoch, by Huitzilopochtli.
What did the eagle symbolize for the Aztec?
The eagle symbolizes both the sun and Huitzilopochtli; the red fruit of the cactus represents the human hearts offered as sacrifice. At that location, Tenoch and his people were to build their city and honour Huitzilopochtli.
What were the societies that surrounded Tenochtitlan?
three most powerful societies in the Valley; the Chichimec, the Culhuacan, and the Tepanec.
