Aztec Society Culture
What is the term for the customs, way of life, history, and identity of a group of people?
Culture
Why did the Aztecs build temples in the shape of pyramids?
They resembled mountains, which brought people closer to the gods
What is tribute?
Valuable goods and taxes paid by conquered peoples
What religion did the Spanish try to spread in the New World?
Catholicism
Who was the Spanish leader that defeated the Aztecs?
Hernan Cortes
What is a worldview?
The way people of a culture see the world around them
What did the Aztecs believe their gods controlled?
Every aspect of their world
What item was commonly used as currency in the Aztec Empire?
Cocoa beans
What event returned Spain to Christian control in 1492?
The Reconquista
What disease had the greatest impact on the Aztecs after Spanish contact?
Smallpox
What was the name of the Aztec capital city built on an island in a lake?
Tenochtitlan
Why did the Aztecs practice human sacrifice?
They believed the gods needed nourishment from human blood
Who was at the top of the Aztec social hierarchy?
The Emperor
What does the "God" part of the Four G's refer to?
Converting non-Catholics to Catholicism
Name one military advantage the Spanish had over the Aztecs.
Guns, swords, crossbows, halberds, horses, or armor
What sign did Huitzilopochtli tell the Aztecs to look for before settling?
An eagle perched on a cactus
What were chinampas?
Floating islands used for farming and housing
Which social class became wealthy through trade and also acted as spies?
Merchants
What does the "Gold" part of the Four G's refer to?
Finding gold and silver wealth
What important structure did the Spanish destroy during the siege of Tenochtitlan?
The aqueducts
How could an Aztec person improve their position in society?
Through success in battle and personal achievements
What were aqueducts used for in Tenochtitlan?
Bringing fresh water to the city and helping prevent flooding
Name two responsibilities of Aztec farmers.
Growing crops, hunting, fishing, selling goods, and paying taxes
What are the Four G's that motivated Spanish exploration?
God, Gold, Geography, and Glory
Give two reasons why the Spanish were able to defeat the Aztecs.
Advanced weapons, horses, disease, alliances with Aztec enemies, destruction of aqueducts, siege tactics, etc.