When do historians believe the Medieval Period began?
Historians believe the Medieval Period began around 500 CE.
What was the capital city of the Aztecs?
The capital city of the Aztecs was Tenochtitlan.
Polytheistic
Polytheistic: Believing in more than one god
Which Italian explorer accidentally discovered the Americas in 1492?
Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the Americas in 1492.
What is a primary source?
DOUBLE POINTS: What is a secondary source
A primary source is a piece of information from the time (e.g. an artefact).
A secondary source is a piece of information from after the time (e.g. a textbook)
What was the main job of peasants in medieval society?
The main job of peasants was as farmers.
Who were the Conquistadors?
Conquistadors were Spanish conquerors that defeated the Aztecs.
Fief
Fief: A piece of land that was given to Lords as part of Feudalism. It was worked on by the peasants.
Who was the leader of the Spanish conquistadors who conquered the Aztecs?
Hernan Cortes
What is the name of the religious temple built by Khmer king Suryavarman II?
Angkor Wat
What were the Crusades?
The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christianity and Islam over control of the Holy Land (Jerusalem)
What was Columbus looking for when he discovered the Americas?
DOUBLE POINTS: Where did he think he was when he landed there?
Columbus was looking for a faster route to Asia.
When he landed in Mesoamerica he thought he was in India.
Baray
Man-made Khmer water storage reservoir
Who was the final leader of the Aztecs?
Moctezuma II was the final leader of the Aztecs
If a woman in Medieval Europe was caught gossiping she may be punished with wearing what?
Scold’s bridle (an iron mask with mouth-bound spikes)
How did Feudalism work?
In Feudalism, everyone in society belonged to a certain class (peasants, knights, nobles, kings) and they were tied to other classes through a system of loyalty.
Some classes offered work while others offered protection.
Name FOUR things that went between the Old and New Worlds through the "Columbian Exchange"
to Americas: diseases, conquistadors, Christianity
to Europe: foods (corn, potato, tomato, etc), gold & silver
The Pillory
The Pillory: a device that locked a persons head and hands into a wooden frame. It was used as a form of punishment in medieval Europe.

Who was crowned as the king of England in 1066?
William the Conqueror was crowned as the king of England in 1066.
Explain TWO functions of the Khmer "barays" at Angkor?
- collect excessive water during rainy season to prevent flooding
- irrigate farmland around the city during the dry season
What were the three Trials by Ordeal?
The three Trials by Ordeal were:
- Ordeal by Fire
- Ordeal by Water
- Ordeal by Combat
What were THREE reasons for the Spanish defeat of the Aztecs?
Reasons for Spanish defeat of the Aztecs:
- More advanced weaponry
- Alliances with other tribes
- Smallpox
Chinampas
Chinampas: A small, artificial island built on a freshwater lake for farming purposes. Also known as a floating garden.
Who was the second in command conquistador to Hernan Cortes?
(Hint: he began the fighting between the Spanish and the Aztecs when Cortes left him behind to fight the other Spanish people who had been sent to arrest him)
Pedro de Alvarado was the second in command to Hernan Cortes.
The Aztecs decided to build their capital on Lake Texcoco after seeing a sign from the gods (an eagle perched on a cactus holding a snake in its beak).