hierarchy
explain the aztec hierarchy system
- 2 main classes (nobles + commoners)
- majority were commoners
- common to move up or down in social hierarchy (military achievements)
who was monctezuma
Aztec emperor who welcomed the spanish believing they might be gods, but got held hostage and died.
explain how the Aztec changed their environment to suit their needs?
they built 3 causeways to link the lake to mainland. Bridges that connected the causeways to the city and mainland can be destroyed so it can be protected from invasion
what are chinampas
floating islands in the water surrounding Tenochtitlan to grow crops
why was Cortez so interested in the Aztecs?
he heard about their civilization and how wealthy they were compared to other groups the Spanish had conquered.
what is the encomienda system
spanish settlers and Aztec workers were given grants when they arrived in a colony
who was Cortes?
Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire
what was the goal of Aztec society?
they wanted to create a great empire
what is a primary source
how did Cortez defeat the Aztec? (step by step)
Cortez formed alliances with people who didn't like Aztecs and gained warriors. Moctezuma showed Cortez too the gold market. Moctezuma on house arrest and forced to become a Spanish subject and forced him too calm his people down. Moctezuma later got stoned by his own people, Aztecs attacked the Spanish. cortez came back with a much stronger force. small pox and water shortage killed the Aztecs and destrpyed the city.
what was their marriage law, after Spain took over?
every spanlard in new spain either had to bring his wife over from spain or marry an indigenous woman - if you weren't married in 6 months you lost your land
where was Tenochtitlan located
located on an island on Lake Texcoco
how did the Aztec accomplish their goal
1) formed trade alliances with neighboring groups
2) conquered nearby groups, forcing them to pay tribute
what is a secondary source
list 4 reasons the Spanish came to a new world.
1) gold to supply their economy
2) glory- explorers wanted to make names for them
2) god- to spread Christianity (Catholicism)
4) expand their territory
What was new Spain's (new) hierarchy?
the emperor was concideres a divine fugure and had absolute power. The nobility held high ranking positions in the government and millitary. The commoners were farmers, artisans, and merchants. Slaved were often prisoners of war or people who couldn't pay debts.
who were the conquistadors
Spanish conquerors
how were the worldviews of both Spanish and Aztecs similar
they both wanted to expand their boundaries by conquering others around them.
religious beliefs
they believed in may gods and their religion was polytheistic
changes cotez made when making new spain?
had to rebuild aqueducts to restore water supply
Cortez requested to destroy Aztec temples + codices
-Aztec chilldren thought how to follow catholic faith
-New hierarchy: Spanish crown, governor, conquistadors ,Aztecs at the bottom