Ancient Civilizations and Spanish Colonization

Study Notes

Spanish Colonization

The conquistadors were Spanish soldiers who conquered land, stole gold, and converted natives to Christianity for Spain.
Hernan Cortez destroyed the Aztec Civilization and murdered their leader, Monctezuma.
The Spanish Social structure placed people from Spain at the top, those born in Mexico in the middle, and natives as slaves.
The Spanish treated natives terribly.
The Florentine Codex is a book that tells the stories of Spanish Colonization in Central America.

Mexican Revolt

Weakened government, unfair social structure, and taxes were the causes of the Mexican Revolt.

Mexican Cession

After Mexico became independent from Spain, there was a power struggle between leaders, resulting in Mexico losing ⅓ of its territory to the U.S.

Caribbeans

Natives were hunter-gatherers who used canoes to get around.
Columbus colonized the land, enslaving and killing natives.
The Spanish targeted larger islands with more precious metals and larger farming space.

Cuba & Puerto Rico

Last Caribbean Spanish colonies where citizens revolted against colonization and slavery for years.
The U.S. claimed war against Spain after a U.S. navy ship was destroyed, and the U.S. won.
Cuba gained independence but remained under U.S. control.
Fidel Castro was a Cuban dictator against the U.S. who allied with the U.S.S.R., leading to a U.S. embargo on Cuba.

Economic Barriers in South America

Poor citizens can't afford to buy products, causing economic decline.
Poor individuals can't pay taxes used for infrastructure and improvements.
Poor areas have a low percentage of educated individuals.

Medieval European History

Middle Ages Life

Monasteries had scribes who copied manuscripts and made books.
Monks taught reading and writing and took care of their community.
Monks recorded history during the Middle Ages.

Daily Life

Royals and nobles had banquets to show their power.
Sumptuary laws determined nobles from peasants.
Hunting was a favored sport of the nobles played on the Baron's land.
Chess was introduced to Europe through Persia.
Secular music was mainly about love during the Middle Ages.

Art & Literature

Muslim artists made decorated tiles and rugs by hand.
The Notre Dame is a Gothic cathedral in France.
Byzantine and Romanesque art mainly focused on religion.
Gothic art was more realistic and brighter.
Illuminated manuscripts are illustrated manuscripts.
Most books were written in Latin before the invention of the printing press.

Guilds

Guilds provided work and craft to pass on to the next generation.
Bookbinders and masons are two examples of craft guilds.
Guilds had rules so all members have the same advantage.

Major Events

The Hundred Years' War lasted 116 years.
Edward the Black Prince was famous for his multiple victories for the British during the Hundred Years' War.
Gunpowder reached Europe in 1300 from China.
The longbow fired arrows farther than crossbows.
The Black Death was a pandemic that spread over a wide area.
Sailors had to quarantine for 40 days during the Black Plague.
Fleas carried the Bubonic Plague.
Lancing is when a doctor cuts into boils.
Two symptoms are boils and fever.
City officials tried to keep the plague from spreading by quarantining ships and shutting down restaurants.
It started in Europe through rats and fleas.
It took 300-400 years for population numbers to recover.

Description

Explore the history of Aztec, Olmec, and Maya civilizations, and the impact of Spanish colonization on these cultures. Learn about the conquistadors, Hernan Cortez, and the social hierarchy established by the Spanish in Mexico.