History Vocab Studying

Olmec

The mother civilization known for fine art, creation of pictographs, and advanced farming techniques.

Maya

Ancient civilization that built stone pyramids, developed a calendar system, and conquered neighboring kingdoms.

Aztecs

Built the city of Tenochtitlan and established the Aztec Empire.

Nahuatl

Native language spoken by the Aztec people.

Tenochtitlan

Capital city of the Aztec Empire, present-day Mexico City.

Conquistadors

Spanish colonizers who explored and conquered territories in the Americas.

Hernan Cortes

Spanish conquistador who led the expedition to Mexico and conquered the Aztec Empire.

Moctezuma II

Emperor of Mexico who was captured by Hernan Cortes and died in 1520.

New Spain

Spanish vice-royalty established in the Americas.

Peninsulares

Whites born in Spain who held higher social status in the colonies.

Criollos

Whites born in the colonies who had lower social status

Mestizos

Individuals of mixed indigenous and European ancestry.

New Laws

Enacted in 1542, these laws banned the enslavement of indigenous people in the colonies.

Haciendas

Large estates granted to wealthy Spaniards by the Spanish crown.

Miguel Hidalgo

Criollo priest who led an uprising against Spanish rule, marking Mexican Independence Day.

Jose Maria Morelos

Mestizo priest who continued the fight for Mexican independence.

Mexican American War

Conflict between Mexico and the United States, resulting in Mexico losing half of its territory.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Treaty that ended the Mexican American War, with Mexico ceding territory to the United States in exchange for $15 million.