Aztec Unit Study

Question 1

Telpochcalli

Answer 1

School and education for commoners

Question 2

calmecac

Answer 2

School and education for nobles

Question 3

chinampa

Answer 3

“floating islands” they built in the waters around Tenochtitlan for farming

Question 4

Aztec

Answer 4

A civilization created by a nomadic tribe
-the mexica-

Question 5

omen

Answer 5

bad warnings or signs.

Question 6

tribute

Answer 6

valuable gifts and taxes

Question 7

conquistador

Answer 7

“conqueror”

Question 8

Conquistadors formula summary.

Answer 8

1. An expedition would set out from a recent colony
2. After landing in a new region, the Spanish would try to meet peacefully with the first groups of indigenous people they encountered. Their aim was to discover which group in the area was the most powerful.
3. The Spanish would invite the leader of that powerful group to a meeting to exchange gifts. Then the Spanish would seize the leader and threatened to kill him unless his followers obeyed their orders.
4. If they did have to fight, the Spanish would try to do so on open grounds. Their horses, armour, and weapons gave them a huge advantage.
5. The leader of the expedition would remain as governor of the new colony and his second-in-command would organize the next expedition. The indigenous peoples would be forced into slavery.

Question 9

Who had the advantage in weapons? How could it affect the outcome of the war?

Answer 9

The Spanish had the advantage. Their swords were sharp and light, able to hold in one hand. They had horses and good armour giving them the speed advantage. With these advantages it could help the Spanish win the war.

Question 10

Muskets and horses

Answer 10

Muskets and horses

Question 11

The Role of Disease Summary.

Answer 11

In the conflict between the Aztecs and Spanish, Disease gave the Spanish and advantage. At a critical point, a smallpox epidemic broke out in Tenochtitlan killing 25% of the Aztec population.

Question 12

What do the Aztecs and Spaniards have in common according to Ronald Wright?

Answer 12

In the conflict between the Aztecs and Spanish, Disease gave the Spanish and advantage. At a critical point, a smallpox epidemic broke out in Tenochtitlan killing 25% of the Aztec population.

Question 13

Who was Malinche and what did Cortes need her for?

Answer 13

Malinche was a slave originally from a noble indigenous family. Cortes needed her for translation. Malinche could speak Mayan and Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, and in short time she learnt to speak Spanish.

Question 14

Aztec Strategy Summary

Answer 14

Montezuma chose to sit back and wait as the Spanish drew closer and closer to Tenochtitlan, he waited and thought about what to do.