Definitions
Tell Me Why
Opinions, Opinions
It’s the Law
Fun Facts
100

People of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry

Who are the Mestizos?

100

Why did New Spain desire independence from Spain?

The economy was struggling with shortages and high taxes, despite Spain becoming richer.
100

Cortés on Encomiendas

Thought they were necessary for the colony to function.

100

What is “The King’s Fifth” rule?

20% of all valuables found in the colonies are given to the King of Spain.

100
What kinds of tributes were paid to Spain?
precious metals, gemstones, and farm products.
200

The royal representative in a colony

What is a viceroy?

200

Why did Cortés lose his position as governor?

Theories include: he was more concerned with his own interests than the Crown’s; he was too good at war; he had created several enemies for himself in Mexico; he often disobeyed orders.

200

Catholic Priests on the Encomienda system

It encourages the abuse of Indigenous peoples and is responsible for millions of deaths.

200

What were Cortés’ marriage laws?

His men had to get married in six months or they would lose their encomienda.
200

What did Cortés do when the Franciscan friars arrived in Mexico City?

He got on his knees, kissed the hems of their robes, and thanked them for coming.

300

Literal translation: to give in trust; a Spanish colonial system of land and labour distribution.

What is an encomienda?

300

Why did Cortés create the Wife Law?

His men wanted to return back to Spain, but he wanted them to focus on colonizing, so he tried to strengthen their connection to Mexico.

300

Mestizos on Spain

Felt like Spain was exploiting Mexico

300

Which king was responsible for banning the encomienda system?

King Charles V.

300

Name 3 conversion tactics that Catholic missionaries (Franciscan friars) used.

  • First working with the noble classes, hoping that if they converted, commoners would do they same
  • Establishing schools, hospitals, and churches
  • Organizing populations into small villages with one priest and one church
  • Destroying Aztec temples and using the stones to build cathedrals
  • Burning Aztec codices (written records)
400

The “persons of goodly life and character” requested” requested from Spain by Cortés.

What is a Franciscan friar?

400

Why were the Aztecs more open to Christianity?

They felt their gods had abandoned them after they lost the war.
400

King Carlos on Cortés

Did not like or trust him.

400

What 3 rules did King Charles put in place to prevent harms against Indigenous peoples?

  • Indians could not be used to carry goods on their backs like pack animals.
  • Children under 14 and pregnant women were not to do heavy work in the mines.
  • Spanish masters were prohibited from beating, whipping, or calling any Indian “dog”
400

Cortés argued that encomiendas were good for Indigenous peoples because…

…they were actually freer under this system, because the Spanish treated them better than the Aztecs (e.g. no human sacrifice)
500

Persons of only Spanish descent born. in Mexico.

Who are the Creoles?

500

Why did King Charles oppose the encomienda system? (Three reasons)

They caused great harm to Indigenous peoples and created resentment, which prevented them from converting to Christianity. The church leaders also ruled that Indigenous peoples should not be enslaved.

500

Spain on the purpose of colonies in New Spain

To make Spain richer and pay for their wars.

500

Name one example of Cortés committing treason.

(1) Going to Mexico; (2) Convincing the men who were supposed to arrest him to join his army; (3) Ignoring the ban on encomiendas; (4) Telling the King of Spain that his success was due to how much treason he committed

500

Other than Spanish men, who else received encomiendas?

Aztec nobles and some women, such as Moctezuma’s daughters.

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