Chapter 7: How Did Geography and History Affect the Worldviews of the Aztec and Spanish?

1. Chapter 7: How Did Geography and History Affect the Worldviews of the Aztec and Spanish? Reflect and Respond Page 253

2. 1. List the qualities of Itzcoatl that made him a desirable leader. Would these qualities be valuable to be an effective leader in Canada? • Ability to persuade – formed alliance • Understood diplomacy – maintained positive ties with his allies; shared the tribute with them • Excellent military leader – conquered city-states over vast areas; created elite warrior group shrewd political leader – established hierarchal social system – This would secure the power of the royals.

3. 2. During the reign of Itzcoatl, warriors became an elite group in society? What does this illustrate about the worldview of the Aztec? • Worldview – belief that they were destined to be conquerors; power equals military force. • Courage • Strength • Hierarchal Class Structure

4. 3. The Aztec believed they needed to belong to the Toltec in order to gain the respect of neighbouring societies. Why did they believe this? • The societies who claimed a direct lineage to the Toltec were the most respected and held the greatest power in the Valley of Mexico. • Aztec understood other societies had to believe they were the noble descendents of the Toltec in order to be respected. • Power commonly comes from famous family lines.

5. 4. How did the Aztec change form a wandering tribe, who were looked down upon by most of the people they encountered, to the most powerful society in Mexico? • They learned the customs and traditions of the people they first had to serve and adapted them to their needs. • Through a series of marriage alliances could claim they were direct descendents of the Toltec and so were given respect. • Modeled a society based on militarism from the Toltec – developed elite groups of ferocious warriors

6. 4. How did the Aztec change form a wandering tribe, who were looked down upon by most of the people they encountered, to the most powerful society in Mexico?... • Formed a triple alliance with the Texcoco and Tlacopan to fight their rivals. • Had and effective military strategy – first conquered weaker societies around the stronger ones – then attacked the isolated stronger ones. • Brutally put down any disobedience among those they conquered.

7. 5. Life for the Aztec revolved around a culture of war. Their goal was to rule the Valley of Mexico. How might a culture based on war affect the worldview of people? • Believed their society was superior to those they conquered • Believed they had inherent rights to the “spoils” of conquered people • Viewed the warrior as the most valuable members of society • Believed in “survival of the fittest”; no mercy, no remorse

8. 6. What were possible reasons for the Aztec to allow their conquered city-states to maintain their own societal norms and customs? Explain. • Aztec were not interested in assimilating different cultures into their own; interested only in the tribute and having them worship Huitzilopochtli. • Lands were too far away and too many men would be required to enforce Aztec laws; it was easier to allow the people to maintain their own forms of rule and customs.

9. 6. What were possible reasons for the Aztec to allow their conquered city-states to maintain their own societal norms and customs? Explain… • By allowing people to maintain their own lifestyles, there might be less animosity about the tribute. • They were following established rules of respect.