Aztec Daily Life
What was the primary way Aztecs traded goods?
Barter system (exchanging goods without money)
What were the 3 Gs of Spanish exploration?
Gold, Glory, and God
When did Cortés arrive in Mexico?
1519
What European technology gave the Spanish an advantage?
Steel weapons, armor, and firearms
How did the Aztec and Spanish views on religion differ?
The Aztecs were polytheistic, while the Spanish were monotheistic (Catholic).
What was used as currency in Aztec markets?
Cacao beans
Why did Spain want to expand its empire?
Wealth, power, and spreading Catholicism
What was La Noche Triste?
The night the Spanish were driven out of Tenochtitlán
Why did Aztec weapons struggle against the Spanish?
They could not penetrate steel armor
How did warfare differ between the Aztecs and Spanish?
Aztecs fought to capture enemies for sacrifice; the Spanish fought to kill and conquer.
What was the main purpose of an Aztec market?
Commerce, socializing, and legal disputes
What was the Reconquista?
A centuries-long war to reclaim Spain from Muslim rule
How did smallpox affect the Aztecs?
It killed 50-90% of the population
What disease was the most devastating to the Aztecs?
Smallpox
How did the social structures of the Aztecs and Spanish compare?
Both societies had a rigid class structure, but the Spanish had more social mobility.
What was a chinampa?
A floating farming island used to grow crops
What was the Spanish Inquisition?
A religious tribunal that punished heresy
What year did the Aztec Empire fall?
1521
How did disease help the Spanish conquer the Aztecs?
It weakened and reduced the Aztec population
What was one major difference in the way the Aztecs and Spanish viewed land ownership?
The Aztecs saw land as communal, while the Spanish believed in private ownership.
How did commoners pay tribute to the emperor?
Through goods, labor, and military service
How did Spanish conquest impact native religions?
Forced conversion to Christianity
Who was Malinche, and how did she help Cortés?
A translator and advisor who helped him communicate with native groups
What role did horses play in the conquest?
They provided mobility and psychological intimidation
How did the Spanish justify their conquest of the Aztecs?
They believed they were spreading Christianity and civilization.