Aztec Religion & World view
What Aztec god was associated with war and the sun?
Huitzilopochtli
Who was the highest-ranking person in Aztec society?
The Emperor (Huey Tlatoani)
Or
Moctezuma
What year did Cortés arrive in Mexico?
1519
What happened to Moctezuma during the Spanish stay in Tenochtitlan?
He was taken hostage by the Spanish
What disease in particular devastated the Indigenous populations?
Smallpox
What was the name of the Aztec emperor’s role as the leader of the army?
Commander of the military
What did the Aztecs believe human sacrifices helped maintain?
Balance of the world and strength of the gods
What were calpolli?
Family clans that shared land, work, and tribute duties
What did Cortés do upon his arrival in the Americas?
Burned his ships
What caused the rebellion that led to La Noche Triste?
A massacre of Aztec nobles by Spanish forces while Cortés was away
What city did the Spanish build on top of Tenochtitlan?
: Mexico City
What was the main job of the Aztec military?
o expand the empire and capture prisoners for tribute and sacrifice
Why did the Aztecs build pyramids, and what were they trying to resemble?
To worship the Gods and be closer to them, they were build to resemble the Mountains that connected the heavens and earth.
What role did merchants play beyond trade?
They acted as spies during travels
Who was Doña Marina?
Cortés’ translator, and guide, also known as La Malinche
What was La Noche Triste?
A failed Spanish escape from Tenochtitlan in which many were killed
What did the Spanish do to Aztec temples and records?
Destroyed temples and burned codices
What did conquered regions have to pay the Aztecs?
Tribute (taxes in goods and services)
Or
Victims for sacrifice or Slaves
How did the Aztec worldview influence their treatment of conquered peoples?
Nomadic people, once settled they expanded and used were used conquered groups for tribute and sacrificial victims
What was one way to move up in Aztec society?
Through military success or As a successful merchant
Who are the Tlaxcalans and what was their role in Cortes conquest?
He teamed up with Indigenous groups like the Tlaxcalans who disliked Aztec rule, this bolstered his army as he marched toward the capitol.
How did the Spanish finally defeat the Aztecs?
By laying siege, cutting off supplies, and using disease and allies
what is the Codez Mendoza?
The Codex Mendoza is a pictorial document and manuscript, created around 1541, that provides a history of the Aztec empire, including its rulers, conquests, tribute system, and daily life,
How could military success affect someone's status in Aztec society?
Warriors could rise in rank and gain privileges or noble status
How did religion justify the Aztecs’ need for constant warfare?
There expansion was divinely ordained, It was also necessary to capture prisoners for sacrifices to maintain cosmic order
What role did women play in Aztec society?
Managed households, Artisans, and took part in religious duties
Why was Cortés considered a rogue by Spanish authorities?
He defied orders and took unauthorized military action
What was the outcome of the final siege in 1521?
Tenochtitlan fell, ending the Aztec Empire
What happened to Cortés after the conquest?
He was stripped of his governorship and power and spent the rest of his life trying to gain royal favor and recognition for what he did in the Americas.
What is one key difference between the Social class systems in Meso- America compared to the rest of the world?
There was social mobility
Slaves could buy land, Marry, and earn their freedom.
Warriors and Merchants could reach Noble status
Nobles could lose their status if they weren't upholding their responsibilities.