Chapter Nine: The Spanish conquest of the Aztec civilization

Flashcards to review key vocabulary terms related to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec civilization.

Conquest

The act of conquering or taking control of a place or people by force.

Worldview

A particular philosophy of life or conception of the world that influences how individuals interpret events and experiences.

Encomienda

A grant by the Spanish Crown to a colonist in America giving the right to demand labor and tribute from Indigenous peoples.

Mesoamerica

A historical region extending from central Mexico to northern Central America, characterized by pre-Columbian cultures.

Hernan Cortes

Spanish Conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Moctezuma II

The ninth ruler of the Aztec Empire, who encountered Hernan Cortes.

Cultural Genocide

The deliberate and systematic destruction of a group's culture, language, and identity.

Spanish Imperialism

The policy of extending Spain's power and influence through colonization and conquest.

Tlaxcala

A region and people who allied with the Spanish against the Aztecs.

La Malinche

An Indigenous woman who served as an interpreter and advisor to Hernan Cortes.

Tribute System

A system where conquered regions were required to pay taxes or provide goods to the ruling empire.

Omens

Phenomena believed to indicate the future, often interpreted as warnings or signs from the gods.

Cannon

A large heavy gun used in warfare, significant to the Spanish conquest.

Spanish Armada

The fleet of ships sent by Spain for military purposes, enhancing their naval capabilities.

Tenochtitlan

The capital of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco.

Noche Triste

Night of Sorrows, the disastrous retreat of Spanish forces after their first major conflict in Tenochtitlan.

Smallpox

A contagious disease that devastated Indigenous populations in the Americas after European contact.

Roman Catholicism

The largest Christian church, led by the pope, which the Spanish aimed to spread among Indigenous peoples.

Conquistador

Spanish conquerors in the Americas, known for their aggressive expansion.

Human Sacrifice

A ritual practice among the Aztecs where individuals were offered to the gods, viewed negatively by Europeans.

Divine Right

The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God, significant in justifying Spanish imperial actions.

Cultural Assimilation

The process by which one culture adopts the practices and beliefs of another culture.