Social Studies 8 Review Notes

The Aztec & Spanish

Location of the Aztec Empire: Located in the Valley of Mexico.
Location of Aztec Capital: The Aztec capital was situated in the Valley of Mexico.
Aztec Legend: The legend explains the Aztec people's arrival in the Valley of Mexico.
Transformation of Homeland: The Aztec transformed their homeland to suit their needs.
Religion in Aztec Life: Religion was integral to all aspects of Aztec life.
Human Sacrifices: The sacrifices of humans were required in the Aztec religion.
Beliefs about Sacrifices: They believed that failure to provide their gods with blood would have dire consequences.
Expansion of Empire: The Aztec expanded their empire through various means.
Tribute: A tribute was a form of payment or offering made to the Aztec rulers.
Flower Wars: Flower wars were ritualistic battles conducted by the Aztec.
Responsibilities and Privileges of Aztec Emperors: Aztec Emperors had specific responsibilities and privileges.
Structure of Aztec Society: A diagram illustrates the structure of Aztec society.
Indication of Social Status: Social status was indicated in Aztec society through various means.
Paramount Values: Specific values were paramount in Aztec society.
Education System: The Aztec had an education system with specific methods and purposes.
Ideal Aztec Citizen: There was an ideal Aztec citizen with certain characteristics.
Cortez's First Impressions: Cortez had specific first impressions of the Aztecs.
Re-conquest of Spain: The Re-conquest of Spain was a historical period.
Spanish Term: The Spanish word for this period in history was mentioned.
People Involved: Specific people were involved in the Re-conquest of Spain.
Impact of Muslim Culture on Spain: Muslim culture had a significant impact on Spain.
Reasons for Supporting Columbus: The King and Queen of Spain had two reasons for supporting Columbus's voyages.
Spanish Inquisition: The Spanish Inquisition was a historical event with main goals.
Goals of the Inquisition: The Inquisition had main goals that were pursued.
Conquistadors: The Conquistadors were specific people with a role in history.
Spain in the "New World": Spain was in the "New World" with specific intentions.
Military Advantages: The Spanish had military advantages over the Aztec.
Factors Contributing to the Fall of the Aztecs: Various factors contributed to the fall of the Aztecs.
Tribes Joining the Spanish: Many tribes in Mexico joined the Spanish attack on the Aztecs.
Destruction of Aztec Temples: The Spanish destroyed the Aztec temples for specific reasons.
Encomienda System: The Encomienda System was a specific system.
Mexico's Demand for Independence: Mexico eventually demanded its independence from Spain.
Dominant Cultures in Present Day Mexican Society: Present-day Mexican society is made up of dominant cultures.

Japan

Impact of Geography on Japan: Geography has had an impact on Japan, influencing the development of values, beliefs, and worldview.
Influence of Asia on Japan: Asia has influenced Japan in various ways.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Isolation: Isolation has had both advantages and disadvantages for Japan.

Edo Japan

Edo Period: The Edo Period occurred during a specific time, and Japan had a leader during this period.
Major Policy/Characteristic of the Edo Period: A major policy or characteristic defined the Edo period.
Shogun: The Shogun held control over Japan during a specific time.
How Shoguns Maintained Control: The Shoguns maintained control over Japan through certain means.
Japanese Feudal Structure: The Japanese feudal structure existed with a specific organization.
Importance of the Samurai: The samurai held importance in Japanese society.
Similarity of Feudal Structures: The structure of Feudal Japan was similar to Medieval Europe and the Aztec.
Principle of Duty: The "principle of duty" is significant in Japanese society.
Impact of Confucianism: Confucianism impacted the system of belief in Japan.
Exclusion Laws: The Exclusion laws were implemented by the Shoguns for specific reasons.
Group of Westerners Allowed to Stay: A specific group of Westerners was allowed to stay in Japan.
Concerns about Christianity: Japan's rulers were concerned about the spread of Christianity.
Imperialism: Europe was entering a period of Imperialism during the Edo period.
Development within Exclusion Laws: Japan developed even with the exclusion laws in place.
Commodore Perry's Arrival: In 1853, Commodore Perry arrived in Japan with a specific purpose.
"Unequal Treaties of 1858": The “Unequal Treaties of 1858 caused Japan to sign treaties that exploited its land and people.
Influence of China: China influenced Japan's decision to sign treaties.
End of Shogun Rule: The signing of the Unequal Treaties led to the end of Shogun rule in Japan.

Meiji Japan

Requirements of the Unequal Treaties of 1858: The Unequal Treaties of 1858 required Japan to do certain things.
Charter Oath: The Charter Oath sought to change certain aspects of Japan.
Social Classes Remaining: Certain social classes remained in Meiji Japan.
Social Changes: Social changes occurred in Japan due to the fall of the feudal era.
Sending People to Western Nations: The leaders of Meiji Japan sent people to Western Nations to learn and bring back specific knowledge.
Conservatives: Many Japanese were concerned with rapid changes and were called "conservatives."
Beliefs about Modernization: The conservatives had beliefs about how Japan should modernize.
Motto: The conservatives used a motto to promote their version of modernization.
Adoption of Western Characteristics: Japan began to adopt certain characteristics of the West.
Reasons for Being Like Western Nations: Japan wanted to be the same as these Western nations for specific reasons.
Challenging the Changes: The Japanese began to challenge the changes brought by the Meiji period.
Balancing the West and the East: Japan has balanced the West and the East in its social, economic, and political structure.