Geography & History: Aztec and Spanish Worldviews

Chapter 7 - Geography & History: Worldviews of the Aztec and the Spanish

• The worldviews of the Aztec and Spanish were shaped by their physical world, the people they interacted with, and their beliefs, ideas, and knowledge.

How did geography influence the societies of the Aztec and the Spanish?

• Mexico has diverse geography, including deserts, mountains, tropical forests, farmland, and coastlines.
• Northern Mexico is primarily desert.
• Major mountain ranges are in central Mexico.
• Southern Mexico has dense forests and tropical climate with high rainfall.
• Most Aztec societies originally lived in the Valley of Mexico.
• The Valley of Mexico became the center of Aztec civilization.
• There were different ecological zones within the Valley of Mexico.
• Spain occupies a large portion of the Iberian Peninsula (around 80%).
• Spain's Atlantic location was crucial in its decision to explore and colonize new lands.
• Spain has large mountain ranges and many fast-flowing rivers.
• The central plateau has frequent droughts.
• Spain's climate is generally rainy in the north and dry in the south.
• Geographic challenges, such as the mountains and rivers, impacted Spain's political history and resulted in numerous kingdoms.

The Aztec

• Mexico's geography shaped Aztec societies, especially their location in the central valley.
• Location in the Valley of Mexico was central to their civilization.
• Distinct ecological zones affected settlement and agriculture.
• The Aztec empire encompassed a large area of Central Mexico, with cities like Tenochtitlan.

The Spanish

• Spain occupies a majority of the Iberian Peninsula.
• Economic and political motives triggered Spain's exploration and colonization (15th century end).
• Spain's location on the Atlantic Ocean and various geographical features (mountain ranges, rivers) played a significant role.

Aztec Deities

• Summarizes information about Aztec Gods and their roles.

Homework Assignments

• Lists pages for reading and reflective assignments.

The Long Migration

• The Aztecs were one of multiple groups that migrated southward from northern Mexico.
• Their migration followed directions from gods through priests.
• Difficulties and hardship accompanied the migration.
• They eventually settled in the Valley of Mexico, near Tenochtitlan.
• Tenochtitlan proved to be a good location for trade.

The Reconquista

• Muslim rule in Southern Spain lasted over 700 years (700s).
• Christian kingdoms gradually gained power and fought to reclaim lands.
• "Reconquista" (reconquest) was the term for Christians taking back lands from Muslims.
• Ferdinand and Isabella led the final stages, ending Muslim control in 1492.
• The Reconquista was a religious effort, as most Europeans were Christian.
• Muslims and Jews were not always accepted due to religious differences.

Spanish Inquisition

• Following the Reconquista, Catholicism was declared the sole legitimate faith in Spain.
• The monarchs aimed for religious unity through the Spanish Inquisition (reinstalled in 1492).
• The Inquisition was both a religious and civil court for enforcing religious conformity.

Desire for Exploration

• The Spanish sought new lands because African trade routes to the East were already established.
• Their explorations targeted both the Mediterranean and transatlantic routes.
• The Spanish monarchy had religious, political, and economic motivations behind expanding the empire.

Contact with Moors

• The Moors (Muslims) conquered part of the Iberian Peninsula.
• They carried their Islamic culture and knowledge.
• Moors contributed greatly to Spanish learning through architecture, design, astronomy, mathematics, and the creation of illuminated manuscripts and murals.
• Great libraries containing various topics were influential.

Earlier Societies of Meso-America (Toltec, Olmec, Teotihuacan)

• The Toltecs, Olmecs, and Teotihuacan civilizations influenced Aztec beliefs, social structure, architecture, and art.
• Their histories and contact were deeply ingrained in Aztec culture.
• The Olmecs were considered the founding society of Mesoamerican civilizations.
• Teotihuacan left behind impressive ruins that were considered holy.

How Did Contact with Other Meso-American Societies Influence the Aztec?

• Mesoamerican culture greatly influenced later societies.
• The Aztec drew from earlier societies' belief systems, architecture elements, and social structures. This is an important point to remember throughout this unit.

How Did the Spanish and Aztec Emperors Become Powerful?

• Spanish and Aztec emperors gained power through various strategies.
• Aztec emperors' power increased via alliances with other rulers.
• Aztecs controlled much of central Mexico territory by the early 1500s.
• Spanish monarchs gained control in part by reducing the power of the Spanish Parliament (Cortes) and the aristocracy.
• The power of the Spanish crown increased by reducing the power of the aristocracy and the Church.

What Political Structure Developed in the Aztec Empire?

• The Aztec nobility held much power in the empire.
• Priests served as advisors to the emperor.

Additional Homework Assignments

• Lists additional reading and assignment pages.