Mexican History Midterm

Which civilization is attributed to having the predominant historical influence on central Mexico?

Teotihuacan

Which was the language of the Aztec?

Nahualt

What sentence best describes the Aztec empire?

A collection of allied and subjugated city-states that ruled indirectly by Mexico-Tenochtitlan

All of the following are true about Mesoamericans, EXCEPT

Used metal tools

We only know some facts about the Aztec society's decision to practice human sacrifice, like the fact that it indeed happened. What we are not sure is why. What are the two possible theories scholars have come up with, according to the chapter?

1. A need for protein, (lacking animals such as cattle, pigs, chickens)

2. Maintain a steady population (avoid overpopulation)

What are chinampas and where were they historically used?

artificial agricultural islands used by the Aztecs in ancient Mexico.

Which of the following characteristic is NOT Mesoamerican?

Draft/Draught Animals

Mark all the civilizations presented below that belong to the Classic Period

Maya, Teotihuacan, and Zapotec civilizations.

Which of the following contributed to an increase in population during the pre-classic period?

An increase in agricultural productivity.

Teotihuacan was located in which part of Mexico?

Central Mexico

The process of deciphering the Maya language did not being until ______________.

1950s

Which of the following items was commonly demanded as tribute by the Aztecs from subject regions?

Gold, textiles, and food supplies.

Similar to other pristine cultures such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China, Mesoamerican pristine cultures also underwent the transition from non-sedentary to sedentary societies. Arrange the stages in chronological order, starting from the most non-sedentary to reaching the advanced sedentary civilization phase? (1 being the most non-sedentary stage and 5 to the advanced sedentary civilization stage)

1. Hunter-gatherer population

2. Gradual domestication of plants and animals

3. Agricultural intesification in an area with fertile land

4. Population growth

5. Larger settlements that divide labor and a complex social and poltical hierarchy

Approximately when did "Mexicans" go from hunter-gatherer societies to planting/agricultural societies?

8000-2000 BC

What is the widely accepted theory on how the first peoples arrived to what we know now as the Americas?

Bering Strait Theory

What factors led to the fall of the Aztec? (Hint: 5 answers)

1. Internal strife

2. European diseases

3. Spanish conquest

4. economic decline

5. drought.

What was the Requerimiento ?

a charge in Spanish directing Indians to lay down their arms and accept the Spanish emperor and Christianity or suffer the consequences.

What year did Hernán Cortés and his troops first arrive in Mexico, initiating the Spanish-Aztec War?

1519

Mesoamerica became automatically Hispanic in the aftermath of the collapse of the Aztec empire. True or false

False.

• Mesoamerica did not automatically become Hispanic in the aftermath of the collapse of the Aztec empire; it experienced a complex process of cultural, social, and political changes influenced by Spanish colonization and indigenous resistance.

The Spanish attempted subjugation of Mesoamerican natives comes after the attempted (and later eventual) subjugation and expulsion of Moors (Muslims) in Spain. True or false.

True. The Spanish attempted subjugation of Mesoamerican natives did come after the attempted (and eventual) subjugation and expulsion of Moors (Muslims) from Spain.

Which civilization is attributed to having the predominant historical influence on central Mexico?

Teotihuacan

What is tribute in the context of Mesoamerican civilizations?

Tribute refers to goods, services, or resources that subject regions would provide to a conquering empire, often as a form of taxation.

What is syncretism?

Syncretism is the blending of different religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs and practices into a new system.

What are caciques in the context of Mesoamerican civilizations?

local chiefs or leaders of indigenous communities during the colonial era, often responsible for managing relations between the Spanish colonizers and their people.

Who was Bartolome de las Casas?

a Spanish Dominican friar, historian, and missionary who became an advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Americas, arguing against their mistreatment by Spanish colonizers.

What is acculturation?

the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group, often as a result of contact between cultures.

was the Aztec civilization was the dominant partner in the Triple Alliance.

• yes

Tenochtitlan started becoming the dominant partner of the Aztec Triple Alliance

What was the main difference between the Aztec's and the Catholic religions?

• Aztec religion was polytheistic, involving numerous gods and rituals

• Catholicism is monotheistic, centered on the belief in one God and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

All of the following are causes contributed to the defeat of the Aztecs, EXCEPT

• Technological and Biological Advantages

• Military and political tactics

• Montezuma's belief that Cortés was a god.

• Political Fragmentation of Mesoamerica

• Diseases

Montezuma's belief that Cortés was a god.

What greatly undermined Indian resistance against the Spanish?

The introduction of European diseases, which decimated indigenous populations and weakened their ability to resist colonization.

Who was the Spanish conquistador responsible for the conquest of the Aztec Empire?

Hernán Cortés

What role did La Malinche (AKA: Malintzin or Dona Marina) play in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire?

She served as Cortés' translator and advisor.

What event is referred to as the "Noche Triste" during the Aztec-Spanish war?

An Aztec rebellion and Spanish retreat from Tenochtitlan

Who were the indigenous allies that supported Hernán Cortés during the Spanish conquest of Mexico?

The Tlaxcalans and other indigenous groups who opposed the Aztecs.

Mercantilism is best described as what?

the idea that a nation's power is related to its wealth and needs a favorable balance of trade with its colonies.

The demographic collapses of the indigenous population in Mexico after the conquest was caused primarily by

disease

During the first 40 years after the defeat of the Aztecs in 1521, the indigenous nobility were not essential to Spanish control of native populations and the extraction of tribute and labor from them.

False. The indigenous nobility were not essential to Spanish control of native populations and the extraction of tribute and labor.

A definition of colonialism includes all of the following, EXCEPT

• Set of beliefs used to legitimize or promote the colonial system

• Colonizers capture indigenous and leave and do not settle

• Colonizers dominate resources, labor, and markets

• Colonizer impose socio-cultural, religious, and linguistic structures.

Colonizers capture indigenous and leave without settling.

The audiencias were

the office of royal control over ecclesiastical affairs in Spain and the colonies.

The Inquisition's main role was

the enforcement of religious orthodoxy and social conformity.

According to the chapter, the major cause of the encomienda's decline was

the dramatic population decline of the native Mexicans, resulting in a shortage of labor

Bullionism is best described as

the belief stockpiling precious metals such as gold and silver were the source of true wealth.

The demographic catastrophe (dramatic population decline) in Mexico resulted in all of the following, EXCEPT

• the disarticulation of native societies

• decline in indigenous' ability to resist colonial impositions.

• move from encomienda to repartimiento.

• the introduction of slave labor from Africa.

• the rise in importance of the indigenous nobility.

The rise in importance of the indigenous nobility

Indians passively accepted Spanish political, economic, and religious domination. true or false?

False; many resisted and opposed Spanish rule.

Study the graph of the population decline in Mexico. In 1520, the population of Mexico was around.

21.5 million people.

The evangelization of the native peoples in Mexico did NOT play an important role in  Spanish justifications for the conquest. True or false?

False; evangelization was a key justification for the conquest.

Which of the following was NOT native to the "Old World"?

• smallpox

• horses

• cattle

• corn

Corn

The main function of the Council of Indies was to

oversee all aspects of the colonies, including the nomination of all high ranking officials.

Which of the following is NOT true about the early colonial period?

• Spaniard lived in cities.

• the indigenous nobility accommodated to Spanish control.

• the mestizo population grew significantly.

• the number of Spanish immigrants by 1550 numbered 20,000

• the Church (Catholic) and religion played a minor role in New Spain.

The statement that the Church and religion played a minor role in New Spain.

Castas (castes) were

people of racially mixed heritage.

Peninsulares (Spanish-born) in Mexico

dominated the most important political, ecclesiastical, and military offices.

Blacks were a significant demographic component in colonial Mexico.

True

African slaves were NOT used in colonial Mexico

False

Creole (criollo) is best defined as

Those of Spanish ancestry born in Mexico.

Despite the fact that Creoles were white, they were considered inferior by the Spanish-born.

True

During the colonial period, there was no correlations between wealth and racial classification.

False

Indians were what ?

legally considered minors and wards of the Crown and Church, lacking full rights and protections under colonial law.

Place in the correct order the colonial hierarchy, from highest to lowest (1 being at the top, 5 being the bottom of the hierarchy)

1. Spanish Born

2. Creoles

3. Mestizos

4. Indians

5. Slaves

The primary cause of death among Indians in the New World was

Diseases

In the early conquest period, the Indian nobility along with conquistadores and encomenderos formed part of the elite.

True

In practice, racial categories were extremely rigid.

False.

This group provided the most staff for the colonial administration

Spanish-born (peninsulares)

Mestizaje refers to the process of

miscegenation between the different racial and ethnic groups in New Spain.

Which factors prevented the Spanish from dominating the Apache and Comanche?

indigenous people rejecting Christianity.

The Consolidation Decree.

a decree consolidating power in the hands of local elites

When is Mexican independence celebrated?

Mexican independence is celebrated on September 16, marking the start of the war for independence from Spanish rule in 1810.

Most priest did what?

• Left back to Spain to advice the crown

• were not actively involved in insurrection.

• criticized their bishops.

• actively supported the rebels

Left back to Spain to advice the crown

The leadership, political, military organizational skills, and objectives of Miguel Hidalgo and his successor, José María Morelos, proved similar. True or false?

True

which one was the sector hardest hit by the insurrection ?

• Mining

• Haciendas

• Agriculture

• Construction

Agriculture

Throughout most of the colonial period, the vast majority of New Spain's residents remained loyal to the Spanish monarchs. True or false?

True

The term "royalist" can best be described as

a supporter of government by a monarch

The Spanish (Liberal) Constitution of 1812 included all of the following, EXCEPT

• It provided for freedom of religion.

• Eliminated Indian tribute, forced labor, and the Inquisition

• Right to vote for most adult males, including Indians but denied males of African descent

• Establishment of freedom of the press

• Elimination of literacy and property restrictions for voting

Right to vote for most adult males, including Indians but denied males of African descent.

The movement for independence lead by Miguel Hidalgo is best described as 

• well organized and trained, disciplined, and with clear goals and objectives.

• uniting all Mexicans in favor of independence.

• composed mostly of Indians.

• spontaneous, poorly lead, lacking clarity in tis goals and objectives, and undisciplined.

spontaneous, poorly led, lacking clarity in its goals and objectives, and undisciplined.

After the death of José María Morelos

the movement became more atomized, more rural and lost much of its appeal with urbanites

The Treaty of Córdoba:

A. Established a Provisional Governing Junta (Corte)

B. Guaranteed religious freedom  

C. Declared Mexico would be governed by a constitutional monarch

D. Decreed racial equality

A and B

The Plan de Iguala provided for

absolute independence from Spain.

Both Hidalgo and Morelos served as _____________________ before 1810.

priests in the Catholic Church

Economic growth under the Bourbons did not translate into improved living standards for the majority of Mexicans. true or false?

True

Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez was a

female conspirator who helped and threw her support of the insurgency during Hidalgo's rebellion.

Which one was the main beneficiaries of secularization in California ?

• Hispanic ranchers

• mission priests

• mission Indians

• nomadic Indians

Hispanic ranchers

Guerrero favored

A. municipal autonomy
B. abolishing slavery
C. guaranteeing Spaniards' property rights
D. land reform

A. Municipal autonomy

B. Abolishing Slavery

Between 1824 and 1835, which nation allowed the broadest male suffrage (that means the right to vote)?

Mexico

In the period following independence, most foreign investment came from

the United States

The most formidable Indian groups facing Hispanics along the frontier were

the Apache and Comanche.

After independence, the hacienda:

prospered due to increased export opportunities.

Independence did NOT immediately result in

• the opportunity to trade with England

• foreign investment

• an end to slavery

• an end to official discrimination based on place of birth

an end to slavery

The 1824 Constitution did NOT:

A. allow freedom of religion.
B. abolish slavery.
C. abolish the monarchy.
D. shift power to the states

B and C

When the 1824 constitution was in force, vice-presidents frequently:

• revolted against the president they served under.

• coordinated their activities with the Church.

• sought foreign investment.

• felt powerless.

Felt powerless

Which sector of the Mexican economy was MOST transformed by independence?

• mining

• artisan shops

• foreign trade

• hacienda

Hacienda

Poinsett offended Mexicans by:

• attempting to buy Mexican territory

• refusing to speak Spanish

• denigrating Catholicism

• meddling in domestic politics

1. Attempting to buy Mexican territory

2. meddling in domestic politics.

Mexico's first elected president was

Guadalupe Victoria, serving from 1825 to 1829.

After Independence Mexican women could do all but what?

A. could vote
B. enjoyed expanded educational opportunities
C. could petition the government
D. enjoyed expanded employment oppose

A. could vote

The following led to instability after independence:

A. regional interests vying for power
B. poorly funded national governments
C. military spending crowding out other spending
D. lack of elite consensus

All of the above.

In the period following independence, foreign mining companies introduced:

a new silver-refining technique

Those opposed to the US seizing all of Mexico felt such a measure would:

A. result in prolong guerrilla warfare
B. result in the incorporation of millions of mixed-race individuals into the US population
C. extend slave territory
D. increase the power of the Catholic Church

increase the power of the catholic church.

The first combat of the Mexican-American war was closest to