Spanish and Aztecs Religions
Who are Spanish missionaries?
Missionaries were women and men who held the power to convert others to Christianity from religious orders.
In the Aztec worldview, what did they do to people who committed serious crimes?
People who committed serious crimes would be sentenced to death, as there were no prisons.
What was the major factor that led the Aztecs and Spain to war?
Spain found gold with the Aztecs, and they wanted more wealth, causing them to start a war with the Aztecs.
What are the names of the Aztec weapons?
War Club, Wooden Spear, and an Atlatl or Spearthrower.
What were the differences between the materials used for weapons, and how did Spain have an advantage because of this?
The Aztecs had obsidian and wood weapons, which were no match for Spanish steel. Obsidian is sharp but also fragile, while wood didn't break the Spanish armour.
Who (Spanish or Aztec) tried to convert as many people to their religion?
Spanish attempted to convert as many people to Christianity because they were losing more followers, and they believed they were saving those whom they converted.
What is the "King's fifth," and who takes it?
The King's fifth is 20% of the gold and valuables found in Spain, taken by "The Spanish Crown."
The Spanish Crown is the highest class in the encomienda of Spain.
How were the Aztecs able to gain wealth and goods?
The Aztecs were able to gain wealth and goods by trading and conquering.
What are three major advantages of the several advantages Spanish had in the war against the Aztecs?
Weapons, Horses, and diseases.
How were Aztec homes so different compared to the Spanish?
Aztecs had to create chinampas to live in the swampy terrain that surrounded their capital. They also had to use aqueducts to transport water. They spent many years constructing chinampas and aqueducts.
What was the reason Aztec temples were pyramids built in the shape of mountains that related to the Gods?
Aztecs built temples like pyramids because they believed their height brought them closer to the Gods; temples were also called the holy area.
What privileges did Aztec nobles get?
Aztec nobles had a different school separating them from commoners; both schools had different lessons. Nobles also owned slaves, but they would get executed if they beat the slaves to death.
During the Reconquista, why did Spain need more gold and silver?
Spain needed more gold and silver because war made them need food, training, weapons, and hospitals. These war supplies were expensive, causing them to lose funds.
Which disease caused the Spanish to have an advantage over the Aztecs?
Smallpox was a disease that spread through the Aztecs and killed 25 percent of the Aztec population. The Spanish developed a resistance, causing them to be affected as much as the Aztecs.
In the Aztecs hierarchy, were people able to rise in classes, or was it Spanish? How did they move up classes?
Aztec people were able to rise in classes by being successful in battle because Aztecs needed human sacrifices.
How did Aztecs find their land (Tenochtitlan)?
One of the Gods, Huitzilopochtli, told the Aztecs to build their capital when they found a sign of an eagle on a cactus eating a snake.
What privileges did Spanish nobles have?
Spain gave nobles war and land ownership. They owned farmlands, but during the Reconquista, there were many destroyed farmlands.
After conquering other people, what goods and wealth did the Aztecs receive?
The Aztecs got goods such as cotton blankets, feathered headdresses, shields, strings of jade and cocoa beans.
In 711, the Spanish were attacked by who? How did the Spanish lose?
In the past, Spain had weak rulers. Their weak rulers lead them to be vulnerable to the attack of the Muslims.
What were some key aspects of the Aztec religion, and how did it differ from the beliefs of the Spanish?
The Aztec religion had some unique aspects. They believed in many gods, like Huitzilopochtli, the sun god, and Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. They practiced human sacrifice to please the gods and ensure the sun's rising.
In the Aztec worldview, what things destroyed the world four times?
In Aztec worldview, jaguars, the wind, fire, and a flood had destroyed the world four times.
After the Spanish and Aztec war broke out, what happened to the surviving Aztecs when they lost the battle?
The Aztecs were forced out of their religion and turned into slaves for the Spanish; they lost their freedom.
During The Reconquista, the nobles had destroyed farmlands. How did the nobles gain wealth?
Nobles supported themselves by their war and land ownership. Some also got involved in business and commerce, while others travelled to America to find wealth.
Who was Malinche?
Malinche was a spy for Cortes and a slave. She pretended to be an intermediary between Cortes and Moctezuma. However, she was an advisor for Cortes; she learned Spanish.
What is the most important factor of Aztec worldview which is different to Spain?
The Aztec religion was the most influential part of their worldview. Comparing this information to the Spanish, they had multiple impacts on their worldview and didn't prioritize their religion the most.