G/H Final

Aztecs

A civilization in Mesoamerica that lived in Tenochtitlan, had the largest empire in North America in 1519, and were conquered by the Spanish in the same year.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on a swamy island surrounded by salt water in present-day Mexico, with a complex system of causeways and canals.

Chinampas

Manmade, floating islands used by the Aztecs for farming, allowing them to bring in fresh water from underground springs.

Poetry

An important form of art for the Aztecs, often recited or sung, praising gods, sharing stories, and celebrating the beauty of the natural world.

Nobles

The elite class in Aztec society, including the Emperor, priests, and nobility, who held wealth and power, worked as scribes, and went to the Calmecac school.

Commoners

The majority of Aztec society, including merchants, artisans, soldiers, farmers, fishers, women, and slaves, who could move up social rankings by being good citizens or warriors.

Callpolli

Family clans in Aztec society based on class and occupation, living in the same neighborhood, with a captain assigning land, collecting taxes, and holding political power.

Silk Road

An overland trade route used by merchants to trade goods between Europe and Asia, re-established during the Crusades, facilitating cultural exchange between the two regions.

Black Death

The bubonic plague that struck Europe between 1345-1350, killing a significant portion of the population, leading to social and economic upheaval.

City-States

Politically independent cities surrounded by hinterlands, such as those in Italy during the Renaissance, which were key to the region's success due to factors like geography and climate.

Leadership in Northern Italy

Each city-state had its own government, armies, and controlled affairs, leading to the prosperity of Venice, Milan, Florence, and Genoa as trading and business centers.

Social Mobility in Italy

Unlike strong feudalism, nobles in Italy could ascend the social ladder to engage in politics and business.

Competition for Sea Routes

Rivalry among city-states in Italy arose from the desire to control Mediterranean sea routes for trade expansion.

Venice's Ascendancy

Venice, a significant trading hub, boasted the largest shipbuilding center in Europe, the Venetian Arsenal, with numerous ships and employees.

Ciompi Revolt

A rebellion in Florence led by laborers, the Ciompi, who sought to form their guild but were denied, resulting in a brief government takeover.

Business Models A vs

Business Model A focused on fair wages without profit, while Business Model B, prevalent in the late Middle Ages, aimed at expanding the master's business through profits.

Humanism in the Renaissance

An intellectual movement emphasizing ancient civilizations, humanism influenced various aspects of life, including society, politics, history, and the arts.

Civic Humanism

Inspired by Cicero, civic humanism stressed public service and the duty of individuals to enhance society.

The Trial of Galileo

Galileo's trial for advocating a heliocentric model showcased the conflict between scientific inquiry and religious authority.

Reasons for Exploration

Exploration in the Renaissance era was driven by curiosity, religion, economics, and adventure, aligning with humanist ideals and monarchs' support.

Reconquista

The religious war in Spain lasting about 300 years.

Granada

The last Muslim stronghold in Spain, captured in 1492.

Pogroms

Violent attacks against Jews in 1391 leading to forced conversions or killings.

Spanish Inquisition

Persecuted false practitioners of Christianity through forced confessions, torture, and executions.

Christopher Columbus

Explorer who converted indigenous people to Christianity during his expeditions.

Gold

Vital for Spain's wealth in the Renaissance, replenished by gold from Hispaniola.

Hidalgos

Lower nobles seeking fortune in the Americas due to land shortages.

Ibn-Rushd and Maimonides

Influential Muslim and Jewish scholars, respectively.

Reasons for Exploration

Driven by curiosity, religion, economics, and adventure, fulfilling Jesus' wishes.

Hernan Cortes

Led the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan, using a secret formula and gaining allies.

Conquistadors Secret Formula

Used by conquistadors to take over indigenous groups.

Muskets

Early firearms used by the Spanish to conquer the Aztecs.

Smallpox

Epidemic in Tenochtitlan after the Night of Sadness, brought by the Spanish.

Encomienda System

Settlers received land and indigenous slaves, supposed to grant legal rights and education.

Viceroy

Royal representative for Spain in New Spain.

Marriage Law

Required Spaniards to marry indigenous women to tie them to the colony.

Nahautl

The native language of the Aztecs.

Don Antonio de Mendoza

First viceroy of New Spain.

Bernal Diaz

Spanish conquistador who assisted Cortes in conquering Tenochtitlan.

Creoles

Descendants of the Spanish in the colonies.

Peasants

Part of the commoner class, worked in homes, fields, and various tasks, but had no legal existence to own property.

Eta

Considered a mass of filth, worked in jobs related to death, lived isolated from society, and were not part of the social hierarchy.

Confucianism

Philosophy by Confucius emphasizing accepting one's place in society, promoting peace through modesty, hard work, rituals, and compassion.

Isolated

Being separated from others.

Kana

Syllabographic characters used in Japanese writing.

Daimyo

Feudal lords with samurai under the shogun's control in the bakuhan system.

Archipelago

A group of islands.

Rituals

Special ceremonies or practices.

Samurai

Warriors serving a daimyo, taught Confucian principles like duty and filial piety.

Filial Piety

Respect for elders, a key aspect of Confucianism.

Shogunate

The system where the shogun holds power over the daimyo and samurai in Japan.