Aztec Civilization and Spanish Conquest

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the Aztec civilization and the Spanish conquest, designed to help students review for their exam.

Chinampa

Floating garden built by the Aztecs to create more arable farm land.

Aqueduct

A system built to pipe fresh water to the city from nearby mountain springs.

Causeway

Roadways constructed to limit the need for water transportation into the city.

Tenochtitlan

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

Valley of Mexico

An area in southern Mexico where the Aztec Empire expanded.

Human Sacrifice

Ritual performed by the Aztecs to appease their gods and ensure the sun would rise.

Huitzilopochtli

God of the sun and war, known for demanding constant sacrifice.

Tlaloc

The rain god of the Aztecs, who was known to favor child sacrifices.

Tezcatlipoca

The most powerful Aztec god, associated with the smoking mirror and foresight.

Quetzalcoatl

The feathered serpent god who vowed to return in the year 1 Reed.

New Fire Ceremony

A ceremony held every 52 years marking the end of an Aztec calendar cycle.

Reconquista

The re-conquest of Spain from Muslim rule, occurring from 1000 to 1250.

Spanish Inquisition

A campaign to root out non-Catholics and enforce Catholicism in Spain.

Heresy

The act of going against the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Auto de Fe

An 'Act of Faith' where those accused of heresy could face severe punishment.

Malinche

An Aztec slave who acted as an interpreter and guide for Hernan Cortes.

Conquistador

Spanish conqueror who sought gold and territory in the New World.

Smallpox

A deadly disease brought by the Spanish that devastated the Aztec population.

Allies

Other tribes that the Spanish recruited to aid in the conquest of the Aztecs.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power through military force or diplomacy.

Courage

A valued quality in Aztec culture, emphasizing bravery in the face of danger.

Self-Sacrifice

The idea of putting the good of the community before one's own needs in Aztec culture.

Obedience

Expectation for Aztecs to follow rules and directives without questioning authority.

Military Society

A societal structure where military service is compulsory and valor is prized.

Education

Aztec education divided between schools for nobles and commoners, emphasizing the training of warriors.

Emperor (Huey Tlatoani)

The title of the Aztec emperor who served as military commander, head of state, and chief priest.

War

The primary method used by the Aztecs to expand their empire and power.

Slavery

The status into which many Aztecs fell after the conquest by the Spanish.

Golden Age

A period of prosperity and cultural achievement in the Aztec Empire prior to Spanish conquest.

Islamic Empire

A historical empire that greatly influenced Spanish culture during its occupation.

Centers of Learning

Institutes established in Spain that were influenced by the Muslim dedication to education.

Religious Tolerance

The acceptance of various religious beliefs, particularly notable in Muslim Spain.

Spanish Power

The ambition of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to enhance Spain's influence and territory.

Christopher Columbus

Explorer funded by Isabella and Ferdinand to seek new lands and convert peoples to Catholicism.

Cortes' Expedition

The journey taken by Hernan Cortes to conquer the Aztec Empire, beginning in 1519.

Cultural Blending

The fusion of Aztec and Spanish customs and beliefs following the conquest.

Tax Collection

The method by which the Aztecs financed their empire and maintained their temples.

Feudal System

A hierarchical system of land ownership and duties within Aztec sociopolitical structure.

Sacrifice Rituals

Ceremonies conducted in temples where Aztecs honored their gods through offerings.

Arable Land

Land suitable for growing crops, which was scarce in the Valley of Mexico.

Floating Gardens

Chinampas built by the Aztecs to expand farmland on the water.

Brackish Lakes

Lakes with a mixture of fresh and salt water, such as those surrounding Tenochtitlan.