Beliefs and Spirituality
The spiritual force known as orenda, manitou, or wakan refers to what?
A universal creative life force or spirit that connects all living things.
What purpose did Native art serve besides beauty?
It was functional. Used for worship, ceremony, or daily needs.
Which diseases devastated Native populations?
Smallpox, measles, and influenza.
Where was the Aztec capital?
Tenochtitlán, on Lake Texcoco in present-day Mexico City.
Who led the conquest?
Hernan Cortez
What role did dreams, visions, and ceremonies play?
They provided access to the spiritual world and guided daily and ritual life.
How was art part of daily life?
It was integrated with utility, spirituality, and community expression rather than being separate as “fine art.”
What was the 1830 Removal Bill?
It authorized the forced relocation of Native tribes west of the Mississippi River.
What does “Aztlan” mean?
The mythical northern homeland of the Aztec people, the “White Land.”
Who was Malinche?
A native woman who served as Cortés’s translator and advisor.
How did Native Americans view animals, trees, and rocks?
As beings with spirits, all elements of creation were interconnected.
Which cultures emphasized weaponry and regalia?
The Plains, Aztec, and Inca cultures reflect their warrior traditions.
What 1848 event caused massive westward expansion?
The California Gold Rush.
How did they choose Tenochtitlán’s location?
They saw an eagle perched on a cactus. An omen from their god Huitzilopochtli.
How did Cortés form alliances?
By partnering with Aztec enemies like the Tlaxcalans.
What happens if rituals during art-making are ignored?
The object would lose its spiritual power or even become dangerous.
Why must the Iroquois False Face mask come from a living tree?
Because the spirit of the tree gives life to the mask, both must be ritually honored.
: How did colonization affect cultural memory?
Loss of land and sacred objects disrupted oral traditions and spiritual continuity.
What crops were vital?
Maize, beans, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, and avocados.
What happened to Tenochtitlán afterward?
It was destroyed, and Mexico City was built atop its ruins.
How did spiritual beliefs influence Native art?
Art was a sacred process; making and using it maintained harmony between humans, nature, and the spirit world.
What two symbols spread widely through the Americas?
The Plumed (Feathered) Serpent in Mesoamerica and the Feline Deity in South America.
What happened when museums collected Native artifacts?
Thousands of sacred objects were taken, erasing cultural context and exploiting Native heritage.
Which civilization’s fall preceded the Aztec rise?
The Toltecs.
How many people died during the conquest?
Around 240,000, including civilians and warriors.