Aztecs
What are three things that are still popular and often used in today's society that the Aztecs gave us?
Chocolate, tomatoes, and tamales are three things that the Aztecs gave us.
Why was slavery considered important in San Antonio and Texas before the Civil War?
Just like any other geographic area, slavery was thought to bring economic, social, and political benefits. San Antonio and Texas in general are no exception. Slavery was seen as an essential for wealth, status, and influence.
Who was Will Bergfeld? Why was he suspected during WWI?
Will Bergfeld was a well-off German-American man with a good family and a stable job. During WWI, he was accused of treason for being a spy to sabotage Texas by using dynamite. In reality, he was only using it to dig water wells.
Who were the Texas Rangers?
The Texas Rangers were a group of law enforcement and paramilitary forces in San Antonio.
What is open data? Why is it important?
Open data is accessible information to the public that is shared by professionals. It helps keep things transparent, understandable, and updated best as possible for public knowledge. It's a global initiative set towards that.
What ritual did the Aztecs carry out to honor their gods and keep balance in the world?
Aside from being a historic, tourist, and celebratory landmark, what other (darker) events occurred at the Alamo?
The Alamo also served as a battle site and a place where slave auctions took place. This shows that some history can hide some uncomfortable truths aka the Alamo's role being involved in conflict and slavery, not entirely heroism.
How did Bergfeld's trial affect his family?
Unfortunately, his daughters listened to what was going on that which essentially included the accusations and mistreatment their father was undergoing. Not only were these suspicions hurting him, but it affected his family.
How did the Texas Rangers interact with local communities? Was there any controversial examples? If so, name one.
The Texas Rangers often acted negatively with local communities, particularly with Mexican American and African American communities. One specific example to name is from a case when Sergeant S. bribed a Mexican and threw him in a shed. Another is when he gave a 'green flag' to kill two Mexicans on the side of the road and leave them there.
Who can work with open data?
Professionals such as government officials, IT people, and community members can use open data to help with projects that involve research and planning.
This farming platform features an innovative design that is considered an early form of hydroponics. It allowed the Aztecs to grow crops such as tomatoes, avocados, and so much is used with it today. What are they?
They are chinampas. They were originally made as farming islands to harvest crops. They were filled with muck and anchored with trees, creating a fertile land for tomatoes and avocados.
Why is the darker history of the Alamo, like slavery and battles, often overlooked or not often discussed openly in public knowledge?
The popular memory of the Alamo quickly goes to the idea or concept of heroism and Texan pride. With some Texans, they probably have a sense of pride or something to be proud with to resonate with. This "sanitized" version of history just shows what society chooses what stories to acknowledge, celebrate, or accept.
What does Berfeld's case signify during WWI?
It just showed how quickly a suspicion would eventually turn to hostility, turned towards those who were German-Americans. Thousands of German-Americans were arrested at the time or around WWI. Just to establish, it wasn't just German-Americans who were targeted. Blacks, Mexican Americans, and more were also targeted. People of color, altogether at this time, were quickly seen as disloyal, arrested, and treated with suspicion and mistreatment.
What disease was a major public issue that affected communities in San Antonio the most?
Tuberculosis. It caused widespread illness and death among people. It affected disproportionately towards communities that were lower class or who were minorities.
What are some ways to use open data in a community?
There are various types of ways to use open data. The most common techniques are developing and managing data distribution software, participation in hackathon events, use of data visualization tools when engaging the community, and use of credible open source software.
In Aztec culture, at the bottom of a staircase in a birthing position is the giant mother earth goddess, "eating" the dead to give new life. However, the Spaniards hacked the baby from her (the carving/statue) to send a Christian message. Why? Who was she?
The Aztec mother earth goddess was Tlaltecuhtli. She is shown in a birthing pose at the base of the temple steps, who received the sacrificed bodies to give new life. She was one of many deities central to the religious justification of human sacrifice in Aztec religion. It was believed that by her "eating" the sacrificed bodies would nourish the earth and keep the universe in balance. Later on, the Spaniards didn't approve of or like this culture, so they removed her 'baby' from her carving/statue to send their Christian message that new life came from Jesus Christ, instead of the goddess.
How did slavery influence the Texas Revolution?
The revolution was fueled by pro-slavery interests. The majority of people or leaders wanted to protect slavery and actually expand it into other geographic areas, which helped shape the fight for independence.
Why were German-Americans at this time treated the most with suspicion during WWI?
The U.S. or people in general feared they were spies and might help Germany. Even though some were citizens and born in the U.S., they were still seen as a threat.
What was Camp Logan? How did the military training at Camp Logan particularly affect African American soldiers?
Camp Logan was a military training camp for soldiers who were freshly enlisted, which also included African American soldiers. Incidents arose involving harassment or worse that affected African Americans because it showed racial inequalities, discrimination, and limited opportunities.
Why is it crucial to check if an open-source software is safe? Even with this potential risk or discredibility, why is this a thing?
Open source is like anyone can change the code, so it might affect the credibility. There are still security measures involved. It comes back to the initiative of being community-oriented.
What legend is remembered today as a ghostly woman crying for her children? How does it connect back to Aztec women during the Spanish conquest?
La Llorona; (Optional additional answer: she is often used today by parents telling their children to behave or else La Llorona would take them, OR it could be used as a 'game' through a mirror). During the Spanish conquest, Aztec women were raped or forced to marry at a young age by conquistadores. Due to the young kids not meeting the biological father's expectations or wants (speaking a certain language, learn Christianity, etc.), they end up being taken away from their mothers and put away. This causes emotional distress on these young mothers who walk through the streets crying, singing, or yelling for their kids, hoping they will return to them.
Which famous Texas figures associated with the Alamo were also slaveholders?
Austin, Travis, Bowie, Houston, Crockett. They may be celebrated as heroes or be viewed in a positive spotlight, but in reality, they all participated in and benefited from the slavery of history.
What was the Zimmerman Telegram? Why did it matter?
It was a secret German message asking Mexico to fight the U.S. in exchange for Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. When it was intercepted, it helped push the U.S. into World War I.
Why and how is Camp Logan significant in historical studies?
Camp Logan is significant because African American soldiers, especially from San Antonio, trained there, and events/incidents arose that were connected to the camp that showed broader social and racial tensions.
Various types of information can help gather with historical research/information; however, how can a picture be useful?
A photo analysis can be so helpful with a start or gathering information on a particular subject/person. It can lead the researcher to an interest, other webpages (books, auction websites), clothes, items, or the environment itself to help get a better understanding of the time or place it took place in and the historical context within it.