Schooling & War
True/False: Every Aztec child attended school.
True.
True/False: The Aztecs believed that the gods controlled every aspect of their world and they looked to the gods for signs on how to live.
True.
True/False: Aztecs placed more value on the individual than the greater group/society.
False. Aztecs were expected to act in the best interest of society, not self.
True. They were however valued for their healing abilities.
Name one negative outcome Aztec society experienced due to the mountains?
Answers may vary.
Possible answers: Some flash floods (in low lying areas); sometimes kept clouds out of their region, meaning less rain (and less clean drinking water).
True/False: Only nobles learned how to read and write.
True. Commoners learnt solely through verbal instruction.
What was the purpose of pyramids?
Religious temples to worship the gods.
Aztec writing was in the form of pictures, called ________, instead of letters; and their books were known as _______.
Glyphs; codices (2+) or codex (1).
A calpolli would be most similar to what in today's society?
Answers may vary. Unions would be one ideal answer.
Reminder: Calpolli were the units that organized society (e.g., merchants, farmers, etc.)
What did the Aztecs call the bridges that connected Tenochtitlan to the mainland?
Bridges were called causeways.
True/False: When Aztecs conquered another group in war, they would collect tribute (valuable items and taxes) from them.
True.
Why was poetry a highly valued form of art?
They thought that by creating poetry, they were imitating their god, Ometeotl (the creator of the universe).
Moctezuma, the leader of the Aztec people, was known as ___________.
The Great Speaker.
Aztec society practiced retributive OR restorative justice? (choose one).
Retributive; Mostly consisted of fines, slavery, or death.
They had no prisons.
What did the Aztecs call the "floating islands" that were used to grow crops of food and medicinal herbs?
These "floating islands" were called chinampa.
True/False: The primary goal of education was to develop critical thinking skills.
False. They wanted to create loyal citizens who would help the state succeed.
Why were the mountains viewed as sacred?
Mountains were closer to the sky, and in their view, closer to the gods.
Reminder: mountains also provided a sense of security from invaders.
What was the primary goal of war for Aztecs?
To capture prisoners to sacrifice to honour the Gods.
What group of Aztec society acted as spies for the Aztec army as part of their responsibilities?
Merchants.
Reminder: Merchants traveled to trade goods for gold, silver, and feathers that were not available to them otherwise.
True/False: Slavery was viewed as shameful and considered permanent.
False x2. Slavery was viewed moreso as a result of bad luck, and considered temporary (they regained their place in society once debt was paid off). They could also gain freedom by reaching the emperor's palace.
Reminder: Children born to slaves were born free.
____ was the name of the school for nobles and ____ was the name of the school for commoners.
Calmecac; Telpochcalli.
Why did Aztecs perform human sacrifice?
Answers will vary.
Possible answers: Believed that human blood nourished the gods; Believed the gods would die otherwise and the world would end as a result.
Name 3 of the 5 virtues (values/qualities) that made up the ideal Aztec citizen.
Name 2 of the 3 roles of the emperor?
Any 2 of the following 3:
1. Head of state (like a prime minister)
2. Commander in chief (commander/head of army)
3. Head priest
An aqueduct (which brought in fresh water from underground springs).
Reminder: Droughts were common because the mountains often kept the clouds out of the area, including rain clouds.