AP World History Ch. 21 Focus Questions
1. How did the Mexica people establish their authority over the peoples of central Mexico? How did the Mexica treat conquered peoples? The Mexica used military conquest to establish their authority over the peoples of central Mexico. They wanted to catch prisoners of war rather than kill their enemies so they could sacrifice their prisoners to appease the gods, and they also demanded tributes from the peoples and lands that they had conquered.
2. What are some of the distinctive features of Mexica agriculture? Why was it so productive? Mexica used chinampa agriculture in which they made plots of land from the dregs of the lake. They created floating gardens that were very productive and fertile since they always had water for the crops they were growing. They could produce a large number of harvests that created a lot of food due to these floating gardens.
3. What are some of the typical trade goods within the Aztec empire? Which items particularly impressed the Spanish? Typical items that Mexica traded were textiles, fur blankets, embroidered clothes, jewelry, and obsidian. Luxury items like translucent jade, emeralds, tortoise shells, jaguar skins, and vanilla beans and cocoa were traded among the elites. The Spanish marveled at many of the items and gems the Aztecs owned as well as their markets and temples
4. What are the distinctive features of the Mexica social structure? Mexica society was rigidly hierarchical with public honors going to military elite. Slaves consisted of debtors, prisoners of war, and children that were sold into slavery, and slaves were sacrificed regularly by the priests of the society. Priests were also highly respected, and some of them were even as powerful as to become emperor. Women had little role in the social structure; however, some women achieved high ranks in society, some even becoming priests.
5. What are the expectations for men and women in Mexica society? What does the midwife's speech on page 535 indicate
2. What are some of the distinctive features of Mexica agriculture? Why was it so productive? Mexica used chinampa agriculture in which they made plots of land from the dregs of the lake. They created floating gardens that were very productive and fertile since they always had water for the crops they were growing. They could produce a large number of harvests that created a lot of food due to these floating gardens.
3. What are some of the typical trade goods within the Aztec empire? Which items particularly impressed the Spanish? Typical items that Mexica traded were textiles, fur blankets, embroidered clothes, jewelry, and obsidian. Luxury items like translucent jade, emeralds, tortoise shells, jaguar skins, and vanilla beans and cocoa were traded among the elites. The Spanish marveled at many of the items and gems the Aztecs owned as well as their markets and temples
4. What are the distinctive features of the Mexica social structure? Mexica society was rigidly hierarchical with public honors going to military elite. Slaves consisted of debtors, prisoners of war, and children that were sold into slavery, and slaves were sacrificed regularly by the priests of the society. Priests were also highly respected, and some of them were even as powerful as to become emperor. Women had little role in the social structure; however, some women achieved high ranks in society, some even becoming priests.
5. What are the expectations for men and women in Mexica society? What does the midwife's speech on page 535 indicate