Al-Andalus
This term refers to the coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews in medieval Spain.
What is convivencia/coexistence?
The centuries-long effort by Christian kingdoms to retake land from Muslims.
What is the reconquista?
The capital city of the Aztec Empire.
What is Tenochtitlan?
This resource became Spain's most important treasure from the Americas.
What is silver?
This is the difference between a claim and a statement when analyzing a historical source.
What is a claim is an opinion or interpretation supported by evidence (it can be argued), while a statement is a simple fact?
What is the Alhambra Palace or the Great Mosque of Córdoba?
This was the last Muslim stronghold in Spain, falling in 1492.
What is Granada?
Though often called the Aztecs, this was the name the people actually used to refer to themselves.
What is the Mexica?
Name two negative effects of silver wealth on Spain or Indigenous peoples.
What are inflation, depopulation, mercury poisoning, or forced labor?
A book written by hand with drawings and text, often used by Indigenous peoples.
What is a codex?
This architectural style combines Christian and Islamic influences and is seen throughout Toledo.
What is mudéjar?
These are the two monarchs whose marriage and joint rule unified Spain.
Who are the Catholic Monarchs: Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon?
This system required conquered peoples to give goods and people to the Aztecs.
What is the tribute/tributary system?
This massive palace and monastery complex, built during Spain’s Golden Age, symbolized royal power and Catholic devotion—and was funded in part by wealth from the Americas.
What is El Escorial?
This was the language spoken by the Mexica people and used in sources like the Florentine Codex.
What is Nahuatl?
The city of Toledo was famous for this scholarly activity during convivencia.
What is translating ancient texts together across religions and languages (Latin, Hebrew)?
After the Reconquista, this 1492 decree ended convivencia by expelling a major religious group.
What is the Decree of Alhambra (expelling the Jews)?
These artificial floating gardens were used to grow food on water.
What are chinampas?
The Spanish used this Incan labor system for forced labor in mines.
What is the Mita system?
Spanish colonization influenced this city's layout, making it resemble classical European cities.
What is Puebla de los Ángeles?
In this political and social system, kings gave land to nobles in return for loyalty, and those nobles passed land to knights and peasants in exchange for service (protecting and working the land).
What is feudalism?
This 1212 battle was seen as a turning point in favor of the Christians.
What is the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa?
Took place near Jaén. Christian forces won a decisive victory weaking Muslim power in Al-Andalus. Marked the beginning of rapid Christian expansion southward.
These were the reasons the Aztec Empire collapsed quickly after 1519. Name at least two.
What are smallpox (European diseases), too many enemies, superior Spanish weapons, or ineffective leadership?
Colonial wealth influenced Spain's art and literature during the Golden Age as seen in these two masterpieces by two famous Spaniards.
(HINT: One book & one painting)
What are Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez and Don Quijote by Cervantes?
This event during the conquest is told differently in Spanish and Indigenous sources/perspectives.
What is the Cholula Massacre OR La Noche Triste?