Survey of World History MODULE 7 - "New World"

Aztlan

Mythical, ancestral home of the Aztecs.

Aztecs

Mesoamerican civilization that dominated central Mexico. Also known as the Mexica or Tenochca.

Huitzilopochtl

Aztec protector god.

Huit’s Commandment

Aztecs much search for promised land, omen marks end of journey.

Huit’s Omen

Bird standing on top of cactus eating a snake.

Tenochtitlan

Aztec capital. Surrounded by a massive, all-encompassing moat, much like a mini island.

Texcoco Lake

The location of Tenochtitlan.

Chinampas

Floating gardens. Used to grow maize, fruits, and veggies without taking up land.

Quetzalcoatl

Aztec creation and corn god.

Tonatiuh

Aztec sun god.

Tlaloc

Aztec rain god.

Aristocracy - Aztec Class rank

First; highest.

Warriors - Aztec Class rank

Second.

Merchants & Artisans - Aztec Class rank

Third.

Farmers - Aztec Class rank

Fourth; not viewed lowly.

Slaves - Aztec Class rank

Fifth; lowest.

Aztec class system

Classical, but most intriguingly, not rigid / locked.

Shaman

Spiritual practitioner (usually a woman) who acts as an intermediary between human and spirit world; very wealthy.

Nahuatl

Aztec written & oral language, used a glyph system. Primarily used for recording via unique numbers.

Hernan Cortes

Spanish conquistador that conquered the Aztecs.

Montezuma

Aztec leader that ruled the Aztecs before being conquered by Cortes.

La Malinche

An Aztec woman with Mayan descent, acted as a translator between the Spanish and Aztecs. Cortez would end up marrying her.

Columbian Exchange

Triangular trading systems between the Old World and New World.

Death Count of New World diseases

50% of natives, 75% of Mexico / Hispaniola, effectively 1/5 of world.

Inca Empire

Indigenous Southern American people living in the mountains.

Mitma

Incan concept of mass migration.

Tahuantin-suyu

Title for the Incan Empire; known as the “Realm of the Four Parts”, or “Land of Four Quarters”.

Cuzco

Incan capital.

Chasqui

Incan messenger people of highly elite runners, ran 80-100 miles a day in sandals within a low oxygen environment (crazy).

Emperor - Incan Class rank

1st; highest.

Nobles - Incan Class rank

2nd.

Commoners - Incan Class rank

3rd.

Slaves - Incan Class rank

Non-existent.

Quechua

Incan language, not written.

Quipa

Incan rope devices intended to carry physical messages via being twisted in certain patterns.

Machu Picchu

Highly advanced Incan city.

Francisco Pizarra

Spanish conquistador that would conquer the Inca Empire.

Atahualpa

Incan leader in charge when Spanish took over Inca Empire. Took the Spanish in for help to win civil war against brother.

Cajamarca

Conflict between the Incas and Spanish, who invite Atahualpa to convince him to submit to Spain. He refuses, Spanish take him hostage for ransom, of which gets paid. Regardless, Spanish kill Atahualpa and take Incan Empire.