Vocabulary
What does Semi-Nomadic mean, and how does it connect to the Aztecs?
A group that moves around part of the year but also has a home base. The Aztecs were semi-nomadic before settling in Tenochtitlan.
What god did the Aztecs believe in that required human sacrifices?
Huitzilopochtli, the sun god.
What was the title of the individual in charge of the Aztecs?
The Emperor
What was the Tribute System, and why was it important for the Aztecs?
System where conquered peoples gave goods and labor to the empire — essential for wealth and stability.
What was a Social Hierarchy? Name one group at the top in Aztec society.
System of ranks in society. At the top: Nobles, priests, warriors.
What is a Codex, and who used it?
A hand-written book or manuscript used to record history, laws, and religion. Used by the Aztecs.
How did the Spanish use religion to justify their actions in the Americas?
They believed it was their duty to spread Christianity and convert Indigenous people.
Who were local rulers in the Aztec Empire, and what was their job?
Tlatoani — leaders of city-states who governed under the emperor and collected tribute.
How did the Spanish make money from their colonies? (Hint: What did they take?)
They mined gold and silver and took it back to Spain.
Who were Eagle and Jaguar warriors, and what role did they have?
Elite Aztec warriors who could gain noble status through success in battle.
What is a Conquistador? (Give the definition and an example.)
A Spanish conqueror or soldier who took over lands in the Americas. Example: Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs
What role did human sacrifice play in Aztec society?
It was a religious ritual to please the gods and keep the world balanced.
Who were King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, and what did they do?
Monarchs of Spain who united the country and funded exploration, including Columbus and Cortés.
What were Haciendas, and who worked on them?
Large estates or farms worked by Indigenous laborers or enslaved people.
Who had more power in Spanish society: Nobles or Peasants?
Nobles.
What is Oral Tradition, and why was it important for Aztec culture?
The passing of stories, history, and beliefs by word of mouth. It was how the Aztecs shared their history and creation stories.
How did the Catholic Church help the Spanish gain and keep power?
By converting people to Christianity and supporting the monarchy's rule.
How did the Aztecs choose their emperor? (Explain who picked the emperor and why.)
Chosen by nobles and priests based on leadership skills and military success.
How did Aztec agriculture support their economy? (Hint: What special gardens did they build?)
Built chinampas, or floating gardens, to grow food in lake areas.
Compare: How was Aztec society similar to Spanish society when it comes to who had power?
Both had strict social hierarchies with nobles at the top and commoners/peasants at the bottom.
What is Militarism? Give an example of how the Aztecs or Spanish used militarism.
A belief in strong military power and expansion. Example: Aztecs used militarism to conquer other city-states; Spanish used it to conquer empires like the Aztecs.
True or False: The Spanish allowed Aztecs to continue human sacrifices after conquering them.
False — The Spanish banned sacrifices and forced conversion to Christianity.
Compare one way Aztec and Spanish governments were similar and one way they were different.
Similar: Both had a top ruler (emperor/monarch). Different: Aztecs allowed local rulers; Spanish had centralized monarchy.
True or False: The Spanish let Indigenous people keep all their gold and silver.
False — The Spanish took gold and silver to Spain and often enslaved Indigenous people to mine it.
"This society allowed conquered leaders to keep power if they paid tribute."
Aztecs or Spanish
Aztecs.