Geography & History: Aztec and Spanish Worldviews

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the impacts of Ferdinand and Isabella's authority in Spain?

Beginning of a policy of exploration and discovery (correct)

Rise in domestic issues among the peasant class

Diminished power of the merchant class

Increased poverty among the aristocrats

What was the status of the merchant class during the period described?

Held significant political power without taxation

Received equal rights to the aristocrats

Enjoyed complete economic freedom

Gained more power but faced heavy taxation (correct)

What belief did the Aztecs hold about their existence?

They were living in the first created world

They were chosen to create the next world

They existed in the fifth sun, the last created world (correct)

They believed they would soon be destroyed by their gods

According to Aztec beliefs, what was their responsibility to maintain the world's existence?

To keep the sun alive to prevent destruction (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the condition of life for peasants during this period?

Life for them remained poor and difficult (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the founding society of all Meso-American civilizations?

The Olmec (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did Aztec emperors increase their power in the Valley of Mexico?

By creating alliances with other powerful rulers (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which social class played a significant role in the governance of the Aztec Empire?

Aztec nobility (D) Signup and view all the answers

What strategy was essential for maintaining Aztec power over conquered territories?

Effective military strategy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did Ferdinand and Isabella do to increase their authority over the Spanish parliament?

Increased the powers of the throne and decreased the parliament's powers (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Pope play in the power dynamics of Spain during Ferdinand and Isabella's reign?

He granted the right to choose Church officials (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions was NOT taken by Ferdinand and Isabella to assert their authority?

Establishing a parliamentary democracy (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which society is recognized as having influenced the Aztecs in terms of religion, social structure, and art?

The Olmec (B) Signup and view all the answers

What geographical feature significantly influenced the Aztec civilization?

The central basin of the Valley of Mexico (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the Spanish decision to explore and colonize new lands?

Increase wealth and prestige of Spain (C) Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the geographic diversity of Mexico have on Aztec society?

Created various ecological zones for resource use (A) Signup and view all the answers

What historical event affected the Aztec's migration and settlement?

Guidance from their god through priests (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did the mountainous geography of Spain influence its political structure?

Led to the establishment of multiple individual kingdoms (C) Signup and view all the answers

What climate characteristic of Spain influenced its agricultural practices?

Frequent droughts and dry conditions in the south (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant hardship faced during the Aztec's long migration?

Unreliable sources of water during travels (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the influence of rivers on Spanish geography?

They were challenging to navigate and fragmented political unity (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation for the Spanish Inquisition after the Reconquista?

To control the religious unity of the country (D) Signup and view all the answers

What significant event marked the end of Muslim control in Spain?

The Reconquista led by Ferdinand and Isabella (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cultural influences did the Moors bring to Spain?

Islamic culture, including schools in astronomy and mathematics (D) Signup and view all the answers

During which period did the Moors rule the southern parts of Spain?

From the early 700s to the late 1400s (D) Signup and view all the answers

What were the primary motives of the Spanish monarchy in their quest for exploration?

Religious, economic, and territorial expansion (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Reconquista primarily affect the religious landscape of Spain?

It led to the dominance of Roman Catholicism (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Islamic culture have on the development of learning in Spain during the Moorish rule?

It promoted the establishment of important schools in various disciplines (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization is noted for having the greatest cultural impact on the Aztecs before them?

The Toltec (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

Explore how geography influenced the worldviews of the Aztec civilization and Spanish society. This quiz delves into the diverse ecosystems of Mexico and Spain and their impact on cultural beliefs and interactions. Test your knowledge on the geographical factors that shaped these historical societies.