Social Studies 8 - Aztecs + The Spanish

Aqueduct

a channel used to move water, usually supported on a bridge when it had to cross a valley

Chinampas

Floating island built around Tenochtitlan used to grow crops

Tenochtitlan

The Aztec capital, located in Lake Texcoco

Tribute

valuable gifts and taxes collected by the Aztecs from a conquered group or city

Compulsory

required by law

Conscription

mandatory military service

Reconquista

The Christian reconquering of Spain

- Muslims and Jews had to leave, convert, or die

- Spain was broke after this

Spanish Inquisition

a state-run system of courts in Spain where non-Catholics were put on trial

- Accusation

- Detention

- Trial

- Torture

- Sentancing

monotheism

Believe in one god

Polytheism

Believe in multiple gods

Missionaries

men and women from religious orders with the authority to teach and convert people to Christianity

Conquistador

the word that the Spanish used to describe the leader of an expedition to colonize other lands

Epidemic

A disease that spreads rapidly and affects many individuals at the same time

Intermediary

go-between; mediator

Sign from the Gods

-Eagle on a cactus with a snake in its beak

-Occurred in Lake Texcoco

-Near mountains

-after being led through the desert for 150 years

Aztec Religion

-Polytheistic

- Gods sacrificed themselves to save the world

- Aztecs are in constant debt to the gods

- Practiced human sacrifice to feeds the gods

Huitzilopochtli

- Aztec patron god of the sun

- Needs blood of sacrificial victims to overcome the night

- Main god

Human Sacrifice

1. Select a victim

2. walk them up the stairs to the top of the temple

3.Cut through the abdomen with obsidian

4. High priests cut through the heart and hold it to the sky

5. throw rest of body down the temple stairs

Social Hierarchy

emperor- makes decisions, oversees sacrifice

high priests and nobles - make the sacrifice, advise the emperor

merchants and artisans - make and trade valuable goods, serve as spies in foreign lands

warriors - different levels of warrior, all men and boys

Farmers and fishers - provide food

Slaves - temporary, could escape, could own property

Children - self explanatory

A good citizen.......

- respects their elders and those above them on the pyramid

- does not mock wrong doers

- values courage,obedience, clean living, modesty, and self-sacrifice

-is not selfish or needy, does things for the good of the tribe

Slavery Laws

- If you beat a slave to death you would be killed

- Children of slaves were born free

- Slaves can own property

Noble's Education

- Learned math, astrology, astronomy, reading, law, the calendar, and music

- School called calmecac

Commoner's Education

- School called telpochalli

- All vocal, no reading or writing

- boys did hard physical work

- girls studied to be matchmakers, priestesses, doctors, and midwives

-girls had little political power

Aztec Calendar

- 260 days

- time divided up evenly between all gods

- signified that they are living on the 5th world and have passed through 4 others

Causeways

built by the Aztecs across the lake from their capital city on the island to the shores of the lake.

Spanish Influence and culture development

Located between Africa and central Europe, influenced by Muslim controlled places

reasons to explore

Gold, God, Glory

Cortes

- grew up in Spain in the era of the Spanish Inquisition

- Inspired by Columbus

Conquering of Tenochtitlan

- Cortes gets bored of Cuba and decides to conquer the fantasy seeming land of Tenochtitlan

- he marches there, conquering the tabascans on the way, and picks up his wife

- Upon arriving, he sinks all of his ships to prevent mutiny

- Moctezuma greets him, thinking he's a god

Cortes then captures Moctezuma and rules over Tenochtitlan through him

Conquistador's Formula

1. begin and expedition

2. meet peacefully with the tribe

3. Invite the leader to a meeting to exchange gifts and capture them

4. Fight on open ground

5. Conquer

The leader of the expedition becomes governor of the new land

La Malinche (Dona Marina)

- member of the Tabascans

- Helped Cortes conquer the Aztecs

disease the Spanish brought to Tenochtitlan

Smallpox

Why the Aztecs got defeated?

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Aztec Weapons and Armour

- Weapons were made of obsidian, wood, and were more ceremonial and decorative

-Armour was made of cloth and showed lots of skin, was more decorative and less protective

- Arrows and spears

- No horses

Spanish Weapons and Armour

- Made of steel and metals

- Horses

-Armour was high coverage and protective

Usage of Other Tribes

On their way to Tenochtitlan, the Spanish conquered many other tribes. These tribes often hated the Aztecs and were willing to assist the Spanish in defeating them.

Aztec Battle Strategy

Capture other groups instead of killing them, enslave them, or take them for sacrifice. Demand tribute.

Spanish Battle Strategy

Kill. Steal land.

laying siege to the city

The Spanish continuously attacked Tenochtitlan at its weakest moments, allowing them to fully weaken the city

Noche Triste

"Sad night", when the Aztecs attacked Hernán Cortés and his forces in the Aztec capital, Tenochitlán, killing hundreds. Cortés laid siege to the city the following year.

Return of Cortes

Cortes returns the next year to kill off the Aztecs fully

Encomienda System

Aztecs work as slaves on Spanish owned farms

Aztecs were poor workers and died quickly.

New Hierarchy

Crown - Takes 20% of gold found in New Mexico

Governor - Collects taxes to support the crown and himself

Conquistadors and Settlers - given encomiendas with Aztec workers, where they could keep all the profits

Aztecs - Do all the work, only get basic needs.

Mestizo

A person of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry.

New Marriage Law

Men had to bring their wives from Europe or marry Mexicans.

Cortes Post-Invasion

Was recognized as a hero, until his reputation was damaged by scandals. King Charles V made him a viceroy to limit his powers. He died rich and bitter.