Unit 2 - Aztecs Flashcards
Why would Spain be interested in crossing the Atlantic?
Because of geography and how Spain looks west across the Atlantic, unlike Italy which faces in towards the Mediterranean.
What does “La geographía manda,” mean?
“Geography controls everything.” (in Spanish)
What happened in Spain in 711?
a Muslim force led by Tariq ibn-Ziyad crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and landed in Spain. In a few years, the Muslims conquered almost the entire Iberian Peninsula, that is, Spain and Portugal. The rules Spain as part of a vast Empire with many cultures.
Why in Islamic cultures are humans and animals not depicted realistically?
Because it may lead to worshipping idols, also known as idolatry.
Why was learning highly values in Muslim society?
Because understanding the universe could aid in living an ethical life.
When and where was the first university established?
Cairo in 971, 200 years before the first university in Europe.
Who knew more about the natural sciences, Europeans or Islamic Scholars?
Islamic scholars. They studied medicine and science and studied with Jewish scholars to translate the works of the ancient Greeks.
Was Muslim Spain tolerant of other religions? Give and example.
Yes. For example Sayyid ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Caliph said on his deathbed: “I instruct you [the next Caliph] on behalf of the people who have been given protection in the name of Allah and His Prophet [i.e. the non-
Muslim minorities within the Islamic state known as dhimmis]. Our covenant to them must be fulfilled, we must fight to protect them, and they must not be burdened beyond their capabilities.
What is the caliphate?
the area of jurisdiction of Islamic rulers,
What happened in Spain in the early 1000s?
Islamic leadership began to decline after a series of ineffectual leaders. Spain broke into independent principalities (states). There was a lot of fighting and the Christian-controlled areas of Spain in the north began to expand southward.
How much of Spain was in Muslim hands in 1269?
Only Granada, which was then captured in 1492 after 10 years of fighting.
What is monotheism?
The existence only one god in a religion.
What was the Spanish Inquisition?
A court system where Catholic churches put anyone who was of a non-Catholic religion on trial.
Why did Catholic Monarchs (Spanish King & Queen) change their minds and support Columbus’s expedition?
Because they wanted convert any other religion to Catholicism, including those people beyond Spain. Explorers like Columbus had to bring missionaries with them to convert people.
Who/what are missionaries?
People from religious orders who have the authority to teach and convert people to Catholicism.
What motivation (other than converting people to Catholicism) did King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella have for supporting Columbus?
To bring back gold and silver and precious metals to Spain because they had none left after fighting all the Muslims until 1492.
What are the two main reasons Spanish nobles wanted to go to the Americas?
Money/wealth - they were hella broke after the reconaquista (when they fought all the muslims). Dem Skrillz. Dem $$ bills.
Glory/fame - they wanted all dem bitches to know who they were. They wanted rap gods to write songs about them. Wanted to break million followers for sure. Influencer status bb. #trending
For the Aztecs the mountain were more than a physical site, they viewed them as
Holy or Sacred sites
The Aztecs believed that the mountains brought them__________closer to the gods.
Physically
The Aztecs built their temples in the shape of __________
Mountains
The mountains gave the Aztecs a sense of _______
Security
What problems did the mountains give the Aztec?
Flash floods
What did the Aztecs build to help control water levels
A earthen dam across Lake Texcoco
How did the Aztecs provide clean drinking water
They built an aqueduct
The Aztec people were very _____
Religious
The Aztecs believed that their God _______ commanded them to settle where they did
Huitzilopochtli
The Aztecs believed that gods controlled every aspect of ____________
_______________.
Of their life
The Aztecs looked to the Gods for signs or ____ on how to live and which decision is best
Omens
What is the relationship between Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca?
They are locked in an eternal struggle
Aztec philosophers believed the earth was a round flat disc divided into
_______________ ____________________.
Four sections
The four sections of the world met was know to the Aztecs as ______________________
Tenochtitlan, Their capital city
At the center of Tenochtitlan was the ______
Great Temple
Tenochtitlan had hundreds of _________________
Temples
The Aztec attitude was rooted in their legendary search to find their
_____________________.
Homeland
Along the way they were attacked and involved in conflict, so they became
very _________________, _________________________ and ____________________________.
Disciplined, independent and resourceful people
The Aztecs were very proud of their role as traders in pre-modern
_______________
Society
They would often trade for __________, ____________, ________
and __________, and ______ or ______ because they couldn’t get them
where they were located
Tropical Fruit, Feathers, and Cacao beans, Gold or Silver
Cacao beans were one of the most tradable items. They were used as a
__________________.
Currency (Money)
The Aztec had many different trade routes, which spanned over large
______ areas.
Remote
Aztec merchants would often set off with hundreds of ___________________ to
carry the goods they would purchase on trading ______________________.
Slaves, Routes
Aztec merchants would be gone for ______ at a time
Months
Aztec merchants also as spies responsible to ___________
The Aztec Army
Military service was ____________ among the Aztec people.
Compulsory (mandatory)
When a boy was born his parent placed a _______________ and _________ in
his hands to symbolize their commitment to protect the Aztec people.
Tiny bow and a shield
Sometimes the Aztec would even engage in what were called
“___________” which were ________ among neighboring
societies.
Flower Was, mock battles
What was tribute in Aztec society
was a tax that the conquered society would pay to the Aztec people.
Tributes to the Aztecs consisted of
Food, Feathers, Blankets, Cocoa beans, Weaponry, Human Sacrifice victims
When the Aztecs forced tributes, the conquered people would be very _______ about having to pay this tribute/tax, and it lead to a lot _______ towards the Aztec people.
Angry, Resentment
What were the two types of Calendars that the Aztecs had?
Solar and Sacred
How many days are in the Aztec sacred calendar?
260 days long
How many years did it take for the Aztecs sacred calendar to catch up with the solar calendar
52 years
What did the Aztecs believe was needed for the sun to rise
Blood from humans (Human Sacrifice)
What did the Aztecs believe that human blood did to the gods?
They believe that human blood nourished the gods
What did the Aztecs believe would happen if they did not have human sacrifices to feed the gods
That the world would end
What were the Aztecs two main social classes
Nobles and Commoners
Nobles made up about _______% of the population
10-15%
What was the role of the Aztec Emperor
He was the Great Speaker
How was the Aztec Emperor treated?
Like a god
What was the Aztec Emperor’s to main roles?
Commander of the Army and Head of State
What were the Aztec societal units called?
Calpolli
What were the Calpolli responsible for
Work, keeping neighbor hood clean and Electing local government
Who were the richest Calpolli?
Merchants
What were the merchants responsible for?
Spying, Trading, Geography
How many people could the Aztec market hold?
60,000 Sixty thousand
How many people visited the Aztec Market a day?
25,000 Twenty five thousand
What were the six min items at the Aztec market
Fabric, Clothing, Weapons, Pottery, Jewelry and Food
What system of payment was used in the Aztec Market
Barter system
What was so valuable in Aztec society that it was used as currency
Cacao Beans
The Aztec Market acted as a ___________or all of Aztec life, people would come to sing, dance, catch up on news
Social Hub
The Aztec market had its own _______ and a court of twenty judges
Police force
If Merchants cheated their customers or you were caught stealing what would happen to you?
Either be sold into Slavery or Sacrificed
What ways did the Aztec people indicate their status
Clothing, Jewelry, size and location of their house
Why was it important in Aztec society to be able to tell the commoners and Nobles apart?
Know the role they play in society
What was the main way to move up in Aztec society
By being successful on the battlefield, how many people they captured
How many people did an Aztec warrior have to capture to become immediately eligible for membership to a higher social status
four people
Could a commoner warrior become a member of the nobility?
Yes
Where were Aztec children educated before starting school?
Home
At what ages did Aztec children start school
10-15 years old
Aztec warriors wanted to ______ instead of kill
Capture
Until the age of three the Aztec children are
Pampered
After the age of three Aztec children were expected to be
Hardworking and Obedient
The goal of Aztec society was to turn the children into citizens with a “________”
“A Stone heart and a Stone face.
Education was very ________ __________ in Aztec society
Highly valued
All Aztec schooling was _______ and every child went to school.
free
What were the two types of Aztec Schools and who were they for?
Calmecac - Nobles, Telpochcalli - Commoners
What did the Aztec children study to learn about their society
Codices
What was the Calmecac (noble school) attached to
A temple
What did the Aztecs base their higher education on?
The ability to read and write
Who were allowed to learn how to read and write
Nobles
What was the Aztec system of reading and writing
Glyphs
How did commoners receive all their instructions
spoken word
Military service was ________ for all Aztec males
Compulsory/Mandatory
What were all Aztec boys trained as in school
Warriors
Once he knew how to fight a boy would serve as a soldiers _____________, and follow the army to learn how warriors acted in battle
Servant
What was the most prestigious military orders
Eagle and Jaguar
What instruments did commoners learn in school
Flutes and drums
Aztec Boys spent a lot of time at school doing ___________ __________. Ex. Digging ditches, carrying firewood
Physical labor
Aztec women had little ____________ power
Political power
Did the Aztecs think it was important to educate women
Yes, no matter the class or rank
When did Aztec women marry?
16
Even though women could not hold public office, the Aztec society did not _______________ them
undervalue
What did Aztec women serve as in the army?
Doctors and Healers
What work did some Aztec girls choose to be
Priestesses
Older women acted as _______________, and ________________
Matchmakers and Midwives
During the early 1000’s the what had begin to happen to the Muslim Caliphate?
It had begin to decline
During the decline of the Islamic Caliphate a series of _________ had led to a period of civil unrest and the sectioning of Al-Andaluz into a number of ________
Ineffective rulers, principalities
What had the Muslims almost eliminated in Spain?
Christians
What was the Spanish Reconquista used as
a way to expand the power and influence of Christian Kingdoms
Who were the leaders of Spain during the Spanish Reconquista?
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
What special titles did King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella have?
Catholic Monarchs
When did Spain become Christian land
2 January 1492
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella wanted to unite Spain under _________________
One religion
Who was in charge of the Spanish Inquisition
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
Who did the Spanish Inquisition target?
Muslims, Jews, and any one else who was not Catholic
What effects did the expulsion of the Jews and Muslims have on Spain?
Serious Economic effect, Loss of skilled workers
What religious duty did King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella believe they had
Convert as many people in the world to Catholicism as possible
What were the main reasons that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella supported Christopher Columbus
To find gold and potential converts
What did Spanish explorers and Conquistadors bring on every voyage
Missionaries
What substance could European’s not get enough
Gold
Why did European monarchs need gold
To support their economies
How long did the Spanish Reconquista last for
400 years
Why was gold important to European monarchs
To buy resources, support armies
What was Christopher Columbus’ main mission
To find resources and gold
What did Christopher Columbus write to the King and Queen of Spain
That he found “magnificent rivers, most of which bear gold”
Did Christopher Columbus actually find much gold
No
For how long would Spain’s desire for income and “trade” (exploitation) would drive its exploration of the Americas for
100 years
What were the to two ways Spanish Nobles supported themselves?
War and Land
What was there a shortage of at the end of the Reconquista
Land
Where did Spanish nobles go to seek their fortunes
The America’s
Spanish Nobles had a thirst for what
Gold and Glory
What was the idea that Spanish Noble’s want to create for themselves
The Chivalrous Knight
What was the Chivalrous Knight
Someone who lived a dangerous life travelling, exploring and fighting off the locals, while claiming gold, riches and territory for Spain
Who was Hernán Cortés
- Spanish Explorer,
- He grew up there during a time of great change, specifically the defeat of the Muslims and the Spanish Inquisition,
- Embodied Spain’s world view God, Glory, Gold
What was the conquistador’s formula
- An expedition would set out from a recent colony.
- Try to meet peacefully with the Indigenous people, to learn about the area.
- Meet with leader to exchange gifts, then hold them hostage
- Fight on open ground, to keep their military advantage
- The Spanish leader would become governor of the new colony and their 2nd in command would lead the next expedition
Why did Cortez want to leave Cuba?
Why did Cortez want to leave Cuba?
He was growing restless and wanted to explore the Yucatan Peninsula, because he heard that the Yucatan was more advanced and filled with riches
How many men and ships did Cortez gather for his expedition to Mexico
He gathered 11 ships, 508 fighting men, 100 sailors, 200 Indigenous slaves and 16 horsed
Why did Velázquez want to stop Cortez’s expedition
He was worried that Cortés would get all the glory for his discoveries and not recognize his authority over the new lands Cortés might conquer
What did Cortez set up on the Mexican coast and why was it important.
He established the town La Villa Rica de la Veracruz and declared it an independent government.
Why was declaring La Villa Rica de la Veracruz an independent government important
Because it meant that Cortez was responsible to the King and not Valazquez.
Why did Cortez sink his remaining ships
It made it impossible for any soldiers to return to Cuba
Who had the most advanced weapons between the Spanish and the Aztecs
Spanish
How did Cortez intimidate the Aztecs at their first meeting
They Spanish fired their muskets in the air when the meeting was over.
How was the horse used as a weapon
The size, power and speed of the horse. The Aztecs had never seen Horse’s before and were mesmerized by them
Why was disease important in the Spanish Aztec conflict
Because the Aztecs had never been exposed to European diseases before. When exposed it killed many of the Aztecs
When did Cortez march towards Tenochtitlan
after they established a colony
Who was Cortez’s intermediary? and why was she important ?
Malinche, she was able to translate the other languages in the area for Cortez
Which peoples aligned themselves with Cortez?
The Totonacs and the Tlaxcalans
Which people did Cortez conquer before attacking Tenochtitlan
The Cholulahns
What was Moctezuma strategy with the Spanish
Moctezuma chose to see what the Spaniards would do before deciding to act himself
Where did Moctezuma put the Cortez forces
His late father’s house
Was Moctezuma placed under house arrest by the Spanish
Yes
Who was left in charge when Cortez went to fight Veláquez’s forces
Pedro de Alvarado
What major event happened while Pedro de Alvarado was in charge
A festival where the Spanish murdered the dancers(festival goers)
After Cortez defeated Velázquez’s forces, what happened
Cortez convinced them to join his fight against the Aztecs
After Cortez defeated Velázquez’s forces, what happened
Cortez convinced them to join his fight against the Aztecs
How was Moctezuma killed
Stoned to death by his own people
What was the final damage done to Tenochtitlan(Aztec city) by the Spanish
25% died from smallpox
aqueducts were cut off to the Aztecs (cutting off fresh water)
population decreased from 200,000 to 60,000 in 6 months
