Key Events (pre-contact)
Describe the Spanish Reconquista.
A long period of war between Christians and Muslims in Spain where Christian fought to reclaim Spain from Muslim rule, ending in 1492.
Describe the perspective of Christian Spain during the 1400s and 1500s.
Answers will vary.
Some key ideas: Christian Spain saw itself as a defender of the Catholic faith; believed it had a religious duty to spread the faith; saw itself as superior to non-Catholics.
Who was Hernán Cortés?
A Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that ended the Aztec Empire.
How did religion influence the actions of the Spanish in the Americas during the 1500s?
Answers will vary.
Some key ideas: Religion motivated them to convert Indigenous peoples; religion was used to justify conquest; the Spanish viewed other religions as lesser.
What role did disease play in helping Cortés conquer the Aztec Empire?
Diseases like smallpox killed large numbers of Indigenous people, weakening their society and army.
Describe the Spanish Inquisition and its purpose.
A system of courts in Spain, set up by the Catholic monarchs to find and punish people who were non-Christians.
Purpose: to unite Spain under one religion.
How did the perspective of Muslim Spain differ from that of Christian Spain?
Answer will vary.
Some key ideas: Muslim Spain valued science and learning, and had a higher tolerance for other religions, which made up a more diverse culture.
How did Cortés end up becoming the leader of the expedition to Mexico?
Cortés ignored Governor Velázquez’s orders to stop the expedition, and he sank 10 ships to ensure that men who were loyal to Velázquez had no way to leave the expedition.
Why was gold so important to the Spanish during the Age of Exploration?
The wealth and resources from the Americas increased Spain's influence and reputation, and funded further exploration and conquest.
Name 2-3 military advantages the Spanish had compared to the Aztecs.
Answers will vary but may include: guns, cannons, steel swords, horses, and armor.
What were the options given during the Spanish Inquisition?
Convert or be exiled (banished forever).
Describe the Aztecs’ worldview.
Answers will vary.
Some key ideas: the Aztecs believed the world was shaped by gods; they thought that they needed to offer human sacrifices to the Gods to keep the world in balance.
What were the initial interactions like between the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistadors?
Moztezuma greeted Cortés with gifts and welcomed the Spanish conquistadors, which led to a period of peace between the two groups.
How did the goals of war differ between the Aztecs and the Spaniards?
The Aztecs went to war to capture prisoners for sacrifice, while the Spanish fought to gain land, gold and glory, and spread Christianity.
Name 2 impacts the Spanish arrival and actions had on the population of Tenochtitlan.
Answers will vary.
Some key ideas: many were killed due to war or disease; their city was destroyed; their religion was banned; forced conversions; loss of land/power in the region; Spanish rule replaced their way of life.
What were the outcomes of the Spanish Inquisition?
Many people were forced to leave Spain with minimal personal belongings or punished.
Would the Spanish population during the 1400s-1500s have most likely viewed Cortés’ actions as positive or negative? Why?
Most likely positive. Many saw him as a hero who brought glory and wealth to Spain, and many were pleased that he spread Christianity.
Name one way alliances with local Indigenous groups helped Cortés conquer the Aztecs.
Answers will vary.
Some key ideas: increased the number of soldiers; local knowledge of culture, geography, etc.
What was Cortés’ key goal for arriving in what is now Mexico?
Cortés’ main goal was wealth. Other goals included glory and spreading the Catholic faith.
How did Spanish and Aztec leadership differ?
Spanish leaders were often nobles or chosen based on royal bloodlines (e.g., King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella).
By 1492, why did Spain have a low supply of gold and silver?
Spain had fought many costly wars, especially during the Reconquista, and had little access to new sources of wealth in Spain.
How did the Aztecs view Malinche?
Many Aztecs saw her as a traitor for helping the Spanish.
Who was Malinche? How did Malinche contribute to Cortés’ success against the Aztecs?
An Indigenous woman from a noble family who was gifted to Cortés once he conquered the Tabascans (a local Indigenous group in Mexico).
She acted as a spy, translator and advisor for Cortés, which helped him communicate with local groups, form alliances, and understand Aztec politics and culture.
Why were some neighbouring groups willing to ally with Cortés against the Aztecs?
Answers may vary.
Many local groups had been conquered and forced to pay tribute to the Aztecs through gifts.
Some local groups may have been scared of the Spanish (and their weapons) and didn't want war with them.
Identify one similarity between the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistadors.
Answers will vary.
Some possible answers: both were involved heavily in warfare; both were heavily influenced by their religious beliefs; both societies were hierarchically organized.