Mexican-American War & Mexican Independence

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary role of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in early Mexican politics?

To rule Mexico multiple times as a Caudillo (correct)

To lead the Aztec empire against Spanish conquest

To serve as the chief justice in the Audiencia

To advocate for Native American rights

What was the significance of the Battle of Chapultepec?

It was the last battle of the Mexican American War (correct)

It involved a negotiation for peace between Mexico and the US

It was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution

It marked the beginning of the Mexican American War

What agricultural innovation was used by the Aztecs involving floating islands?

Chinampas (correct)

Calpulli irrigation

Conquistador farming

Mesoamerican farming techniques

Which document abolished the Mexican monarchy and established a federal system?

The Constitution of 1824 Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the 'Apostle to the Indians' for advocating Native rights?

Bartolome de las Casas Signup and view all the answers

What tragic event is associated with the Battle of the Alamo?

The defeat and death of Texian defenders during a siege Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Cholula Massacre during the Spanish conquest?

It led to the murder of many residents in Mexico's second largest city Signup and view all the answers

What was the function of the Council of the Indies in the Spanish colonies?

To decide matters of colonial policy, including taxes and trade Signup and view all the answers

Which group was primarily composed of individuals born in the Americas to Spanish parents?

Criollos Signup and view all the answers

What event is known as the rallying call for revolutionary action against Spanish rule in Mexico?

Grito de Dolores Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first President of Mexico after its independence from Spain?

Guadalupe Victoria Signup and view all the answers

Which powerful deity was considered the sun and war god in Aztec mythology?

Huitzilopochtli Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the encomienda system during the colonial period?

To control and exploit native labor Signup and view all the answers

What significant tragedy occurred known as La Noche Triste?

The fleeing of Spanish forces from Tenochtitlan Signup and view all the answers

Which revolution led to the creation of the Republic of Texas?

Texas Revolution Signup and view all the answers

What was the Plan de Iguala aimed at achieving?

Creating a monarchy post-independence Signup and view all the answers

Which Aztec class had the role of long-distance trade specialists?

Pochteca Signup and view all the answers

Which document abolished the Mexican Empire and replaced it with a republic?

Plan of Casa Mata Signup and view all the answers

Which influential figure played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire?

Hernan Cortes Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization is recognized as the earliest-known Mesoamerican culture?

Olmec Signup and view all the answers

Which revolution participant is known as the 'Father of Texas'?

Stephen F. Austin Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary result of the Treaty of Córdoba?

Recognition of Mexican independence from Spain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mexican-American War & Mexican Independence

Antonio López de Santa Anna: Mexican politician and general who ruled Mexico multiple times (11 times between 1833-1855). A key figure in early Mexican politics and government. Fought for both royalist New Spain and Mexican independence.
Audiencia: Spanish high court in the colonies, oversaw justice locally.
Aztecs (Mexica): Nomadic tribe that settled in Mesoamerica after the Toltecs.
Bartolomé de las Casas: Advocate for Native American rights ("Apostle to the Indians"). Proposed relocating Caribbean Indians to Venezuela.
Battle of Chapultepec: Decisive battle of the Mexican-American War, fought near Mexico City. Involved US Marines and young Mexican cadets (Los Niños Héroes).
Battle of Palo Alto: First battle of the Mexican-American War, fought near Brownsville, Texas. US victory under Zachary Taylor.
Battle of San Jacinto: Decisive battle of the Texas Revolution (1836). Sam Houston's Texian army defeated Santa Anna's Mexican forces, leading to Texas independence.
Battle of the Alamo: Key event in the Texas Revolution. Mexican troops under Santa Anna assaulted the Alamo Mission near San Antonio, killing all Texian defenders. A 13-day siege.

Aztec Society & Culture

Calpulli: Clans in Aztec society, organizing social structures. Distributed land, provided labor and warriors.
Chinampas: Irrigated agricultural system used by Aztecs. "Floating islands" created from aquatic weeds, mud, and earth in lakebeds.
Cholula Massacre: Event during the Spanish Conquest, resulting in the deaths of many Cholula residents.
Huitzilopochtli: Aztec patron god, sun and war god. Often represented as a hummingbird or eagle.
Nahuatl: Language spoken by the Aztecs and surrounding tribes.
Pochteca: Aztec merchant class, specialized in long-distance trade.
Pipiltin: Aztec nobility, descended from Toltecs and Aztecs.

Spanish Colonialism and Conquest

Conquistador: Spanish soldier and explorer.
Cortes, Hernán: Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.
Encomienda: Labor grants that allowed Spanish landowners to control and profit from the forced labor of Native Americans.
Moctezuma II: Last Aztec emperor, confronted Hernán Cortés. Assassinated by his own people.
La Malinche: Nahua woman who aided Cortés in the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
La Noche Triste: Spanish forces driven out of Tenochtitlan during the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
Juan de Zumárraga: Bishop of Mexico, responsible for the conversion of millions of natives to Catholicism.
Mesoamerica: Geographical region stretching from central Mexico to northern Honduras.
Mestizaje: The mixing of European and Native ancestries in the Americas.
Mestizos: People of mixed European and Native American ancestry.
Olmec: Early Mesoamerican civilization (1200 BCE), influential to later societies.

Mexican Independence and Early Nationhood

Constitution of 1824: Abolished Mexican monarchy, established federal system.
Council of the Indies: Spanish governing body for colonial policy.
Criollos: Upper-middle class in colonial Spanish America, born in the Americas to Spanish parents.
Grito de Dolores: Sermon by Father Hidalgo that spurred Mexican independence movement.
Guadalupe Victoria: Revolutionary general, first President of Mexico.
Hacienda: Large estate in colonial Spanish America, often including plantations, mines, or factories
Hidalgo, Miguel: Mexican priest who led early independence movement.
Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon: Mexican revolutionary leader, assuming independence movement leadership after Hidalgo.
Plan de Ayutla: Written plan (1854) to remove Santa Anna from power.
Plan de Iguala: Agreement to rid Mexico of Spanish rule and establish a monarchy.
Plan of Casa Mata: Document by Santa Anna and Victoria that abolished the Mexican Empire, replacing it with a republic.
Treaty of Córdoba: Established Mexican independence from Spain.
Vicente Guerrero: Revolutionary general, second President of Mexico.
Viceroy: Royal governor appointed by the Spanish King to oversee a colony.
Virgen de Guadalupe: Catholic title for the Virgin Mary's appearance to a native.

Texas Revolution

Sam Houston: American soldier and politician, important leader in the Texas Revolution, first and third President of the Republic of Texas.
Stephen F. Austin: American empresario, "Father of Texas," led successful colonization of Texas.
Tejanos: People of Mexican descent living in Texas.
Texas Rangers: Mounted riflemen established to protect Texas' frontier by President Sam Houston.
Texas Revolution: Colonists and Tejanos revolted against the centralist Mexican government.
Juan Seguin: Tejano patriot, political and military figure in the Texas Revolution, helped establish Texas independence.

Mexican-American War

Zachary Taylor: US General, prominent in early battles of the Mexican-American War. Removed from command for political reasons.

Additional Terms

Tenochtitlan: Aztec capital and center of power, founded on an island in Lake Texcoco.

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Description

Explore key events and figures of the Mexican-American War and Mexican independence. This quiz covers battles, notable leaders, and historical implications. Test your knowledge on this critical period in history.