Aztec and Spanish Ways of Life

What were the social classes of the Aztec? (pg.264-265)
Nobles, commoners, priests


What was the role of the following people: Nobility, Commoners, Priests, Men and Women? (Pg 265-267)
Government or ruling class (nobility); could improve their status by becoming priests, merchants, or artists (commoners); advice the emperor (priests)


What was Aztec Education like? (Pg.267)
 	Boys and girls studied separately, no books or writing. Girls learned household skills, boys were taught to be warriors

What were the social classes of the Spanish? (pg.269-270)
 	Nobility, commoners, priests

What was the role of the following people: Nobility, Commoners, Priests, Men and Women? (Pg 269-270)
 	Priests became religious leaders; women were expected to marry and take care of the house; men were expected to do hard labor; nobility rules their estate; commoners made up 90% of the population



What was Spanish Education like? (Pg.267)
Focused on religious studies instead of humanous pursuits



What were some of Moctezuma II accomplishments? (Pg.272)
He strengthened the power of the nobility by choosing his advisors from the aristocracy.
He built a palace that was so good that the Spanish declared it was superior to any building in Spain.
He was a priest, scholar, astronomer, and warrior.



Who was the leader of the Aztec Political System and who was beneath him? (Pg. 273)
Their ‘god’, Huitzilopochtli. Beneath him was a council of wise men who were elected.


What role did the following play in the Aztec Economy: Tributes, Farming, Marketplace and Pochteca? (Pg. 274-278)
 		If your city didnt pay tribute to Huitzilopochtli, it would be launched into an attack. Tribute of food would help cities thrive. Farming played a very important role, as their food was used for tribute and taxes.




Who was the leader of the Spanish Political System and who was beneath them? (Pg. 279)
 		The king and queen, and beneath them were the cortes.

Why did Spain become so wealthy and then have such Economic problems? (Pg.280-281)
 	People didnt want to farm anymore.


Why was ritual sacrifice so important to the Aztecs? (Pg.284-285
 	They believed they were Huitzilopochtli’s chosen people. Sacrifices apparently lead to him being able to rise every morning.


What was a medicine bundle and Codices? (Pg. 285-286)
 	The bundles had blessed corn, feathers, rubber,
and precious stones. Codices were manuscripts.



What types of sculptures and architecture did the Aztecs create? (Pg.287)
 	They made sculptures of their gods and placed them in temples.


What were the main religious beliefs and practices in Spain? (Pg. 291)
	In 1500, most Spanish were christian.



What types of art did the Spanish produce? (pg.292-293)
Literature, architecture, sculpture, painting.



What did the Spanish and Aztecs do for time? (pg. 289 and 294)
Spanish - 365.25 days a year, Aztec - 360 days, [18 months, 20 days.]




Aztec political systems


Emperor chosen by council of wise men, could be removed.
Tributes were paid to the emperor to support tenochtitlan
Queen and king tried to limit power of cortes so they had no opposition.
Economy relied on port, wool, agriculture, initially colonies helped create wealth for spain, but over time inflation became a major problem

Cottage industries-labor force that consists of families or individuals with their own equipment

Goods that weren’t used for tribute were sold in a marketplace.

Pochteca were spying merchants.

Upper class roles:

Emperor was revered
Lived away from commoners in the city
Owned land based on status
Strict code of behaviour

Middle class:
Could increase their status through military service

Lower class:
Worked in the ‘land of the nobles’.

Upper class priests:
Emperor was the highest ranking priest.

Middle class:
Becoming priests increased their status.

Women:
Cared for household and family
Would do crafts
Run business
Control property
Had a high degree of freedom
Automatic custody of younger children
Legal protection from marital abuse
Married mid-teen

Men:
Expected to do hard labour.
Only men could hold government position