Aztec and Spanish Empires

Flashcards about the Aztec and Spanish empires, their geography, history, and rise to power.

Geography of MesoAmerica - Valley of Mexico

Most of the original societies lived here, containing 5 shallow lakes, the largest being Lake Texcoco, making it the center of the Aztec civilization.

Canals and waterways

The main means of transportation within the Basin of Mexico.

Aztec Long Migration

Led by Tenoch, they migrated through the desert following the orders of their patron god Huitzilopochtli, eventually reaching the Valley of Mexico.

Patron God Huitzilopochtli

The Aztec believed they were the incarnation of the sun, battling the forces of night to keep humans alive.

Tenochtitlan

A swampy island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, seen as their destiny and where they built their city.

The Chichimec, the Culhuacan, and the Tepanec

Societies surrounding Tenochtitlan.

Olmec Influence on Aztec

Considered the founding/mother culture of all Meso-American civilizations and greatest sculptures.

Teotihuacan Influence on Aztec

The Aztec copied their city layout into four quarters with two large avenues crossing at right angles and temples in the city center. Believed in the god Quetzalcoatl.

Toltec Influence on Aztec

They had the greatest impact on the Aztec, who believed they were masters at creating a refined civilization.

Itzcoatl

Leader of the Aztec who ended Tepanec domination, created the Triple Alliance, maintained positive ties with allies, and forced defeated societies to pay tribute.

Aztec Rise to Power

Aztec emperors created alliances through arranged marriages and gained power through the Triple Alliance, strong military, and suppressing rebellions, eventually including over 50 city-states.

Emperor (Aztec Political Structure)

Highest ranking noble and greatest power in the empire.

Advisor Role (Aztec Political Structure)

Chief of internal affairs and closest advisor/second in command.

Tlatoque (Aztec Political Structure)

Ruled the major towns and cities.

Tecutin (Aztec Political Structure)

Ruled the smaller areas.

Priests (Aztec Political Structure)

Important advisors to the emperor.

Creation Stories (Aztec)

Stories that provide a way of understanding religious and spiritual beliefs, explain natural phenomena, or examine values and morals.

Aztec Beliefs about Creation

The Aztec believed the gods had created and destroyed the world four times and that they were living in the 5th world.

Geography of Spain

Occupies about 80% of the Iberian Peninsula and its location on the Atlantic Ocean was an important factor.

Pyrenees

The largest mountain range, separating Spain from France.

Meseta Central

The central plateau of Spain that is almost treeless.

The Reconquista

A movement to retake the Iberian land under Muslim control, first led by the kingdom of Castile.

Granda in southern spain

Muslims now held only one small kingdom.

Spanish Conquistadors during Reconquista

They felt they were fighting for God and for their country, with both religious and nationalistic reasons.

Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile

Aragon and Castile were unified under their rule.

Spanish Inquisition

A religious and civil court set up to ensure that people of Muslim and Jewish faith had converted to Catholicism, later questioning anyone not following Catholicism.

Spanish Desire for Exploration - resources and goods

They wanted them from new lands considered the rightful property of Spain and sent missionaries to teach the Roman Catholic Church beliefs.

Moorish Influence in Spain

Important schools of astronomy, mathematics, and architecture; illuminated manuscripts; great libraries; beautiful buildings.

Steps to Spanish Rise to Power

Centralized government, efficient bureaucracy, new taxes, control of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Spanish Inquisition.

Ferdinand and Isabella limiting Aristocracy’s Power

Limited aristocracy power by introducing men of humble origins to the Cortes and taking voting power away from nobles.

Ferdinand and Isabella gaining Merchant Support

Gained merchant support by helping with business and promising protection, but taxed them at higher rates while not taxing nobles.

Ferdinand and Isabella and the Church

Pope Innocent VIII gave them the right to choose whomever they wanted to fill Church positions in return for starting the Spanish Inquisition.