Vocab
artisan
Which civilization influenced the Aztecs?
The Toltec
What was so important to the Aztecs about Chocolate?
Cocoa beans were a gift from the Gods, only available to the upper classes; it was a symbol of power and wealth
Why was gold so valuable to the Aztecs?
they believed it was a gift from the gods and connected them to their deities
Who was Hernan Cortes? Where was he from?
A Spanish conquistador
something paid or given to another person
tribute
Why is it important to know about Aztec art and architecture?
Answers will vary
How did the Aztecs get what they needed to make chocolate?
traded items with regions in southern Mesoamerica
How did the Aztecs use gold in their religion?
statues, masks, and jewelry to honor the gods
How did the Aztecs react to Cortes arriving?
cautiously, due to the prophecy that Quetzalcoatl would return
with mistrust, due to the cultural differences
Spanish word meaning "conqueror"
conquistador
How did the Aztecs pass down their history and culture?
Through oral traditions and storytelling
How was Aztec chocolate different than our chocolate?
bitter, frothy drink flavored with chili, spices, or cornmeal
Who in Aztec society wore gold?
only the elite, such as nobles and warriors
What factors weakened the Aztec Empire from within?
internal resentment from conquered cities and a lack of immunity to diseases brought by the Spanish
floating gardens
chinampas
What was the capital city of the Aztec Empire?
Tenochtitlan
What role did chocolate have in Aztec culture?
chocolate was a status symbol and a valuable item
How did the Aztecs acquire gold?
tributes from conquered cities and collected from own empire
superior weaponry, like guns and cannons
when an army surrounds an area, cutting them off from outside help
seige
What was the social structure of the Empire (What was each level and its roles)?
Well-defined pyramid system (Top: Elites and Priests, Middle: Warriors, Merchants and Artisans, Bottom: Farmers)
Why was chocolate reserved for the highest members of Aztec society?
Cocoa beans were expensive to purchase and process
What did wearing gold signify?
wealth, power, high status
Who were the Tlaxcala? Why did they ally with Cortes?
Indigenous people from the Nahua region of Mesoamerica
They were rivals of the Aztecs and had been mistreated by them