Ancient Civilizations & Regions
The dry northern cultural region of Mexico that was inhabited mainly by nomadic groups.
Ariodoamerica
The official title of the supreme ruler and highest political authority of the Mexica empire.
Tlatoani
The indigenous woman who served as an advisor, interpreter, and mediator for Hernán Cortés.
La Malinche (Malintzin)
The major European disease brought by Spanish soldiers that devastated native populations.
smallpox
This civilization is known as the "Mother Culture" of Mesoamerica and is famous for carving colossal stone heads.
Olmecs
The capital city of the Mexica Empire established in the year 1325 on an island in Lake Texcoco.
Tenochtitlán
The indigenous group that formed a critical military alliance with Spanish soldiers to overthrow Mexica rule.
Tlaxcalans
The colonial labor system where Spanish settlers demanded tribute and forced labor from indigenous communities.
Encomienda system
Organized into independent city-states, this civilization became famous for its advanced astronomy and mathematical concept of zero
The specialized floating agricultural rafts built by the Mexica to farm crops on the lake.
Chinampas
The historic retreat of Spanish troops and their indigenous allies from Tenochtitlán on June 30, 1520.
La noche triste
The parish priest who gave the Grito de Dolores in 1810 to launch the war for Mexican independence.
Miguel Hidalgo
The cultural region with rich geography where advanced civilizations built major cities, pyramids, and calendar systems
Mesoamerica
Twin-pipe structures built to bring fresh drinking water from Chapultepec across Lake Texcoco into Tenochtitlán.
Aqueducts
State two primary economic or religious motives that brought Spanish explorers to Mesoamerica.
seeking gold/wealth/land and spreading the Catholic religion
Explain the difference between the Military Conquest and the Spiritual Conquest of Mexico
Military conquest used weapons and force to defeat armies, while spiritual conquest used missionaries to convert indigenous people to Catholicism.
Name two major achievements developed by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations.
calendar systems, pyramid building, the concept of zero, chinampas, or colossal stone heads
The last emperor of the Mexica who was captured by Spanish forces in August 1521.
Cuauhtémoc
The main reason many indigenous groups chose to join Hernán Cortés in fighting the Mexica.
To end Mexica dominance, heavy taxes, and forced tribute.
What was the primary concern of a Mexica Ruler versus a Missionary Friar during the Conquest?
A Mexica Ruler wanted to defend the city and empire, while a Missionary Friar wanted to convert native people to Christianity.