EXAM 1: HISTORY OF MEXICO
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Mesoamerican Social Organization - remember the social pyramid? I claimed
Mesoamerican societies were hierarchical, what does that mean? - answer-A
hierarchical is a system that practices the ranking of one group over another. The
Aztecs were governed by a single emperor who was chosen by a council of priests
and nobles.
Describe five major characteristics of the Aztecs. - answer-1) Religion enabled the
belief in human sacrifice.
2) Aztec ball game, Ullama, was an original invention that often required human
sacrifice.
3) Hierarchical system
4) Resourceful w/ food and clothes. Corn, beans, chile, and squash were popular in
their diets.
5)Believed in selling themselves and/or children into slavery to earn income.
List and briefly describe two reasons given by Diamond for the collapse of the
Mayas. - answer-The "power cycling". Cities were getting into war and battles with
one another and creating economic disasters. Droughts were common and led to the
destruction of agriculture and prevented the Mayans from sustaining life.
List and briefly explain four major reasons for the defeat of the Aztecs by the
Spanish. (1521) - answer-1) Disease- No immunity available/invented. Illness were
rising and spreading. mumps, measles and smallpox.
2) Spanish's technological advantages: Sail, horses. Aztec's weapons ineffective
against the Spanish because they had better armor and weapons.
3) the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés. During march through Mexico, encountered
natives called the Tlaxcalans, enemies of the Aztecs. Became an important ally for
Cortés during his siege of Tenochtitlán.
4) Aztecs captured rather than killing their enemies in war. Spanish killed to conquer.
colonialism - answer-The control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent
country, territory, or people.
Imposition of socio-cultural, religions, and linguistic structure.
mercantilism - answer-An economic theory. To increase economic well-being and
political strength. Regulate trade and impose taxes to transfer colonial wealth to the
countrys'.
repartimiento - answer-A colonial forced labor party imposed upon the indigenous
population of Spanish America and the Philippines.
free wage labor - answer-People are able to have a say in their ability to work unlike
slaves.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Mesoamerican Social Organization - remember the social pyramid? I claimed
Mesoamerican societies were hierarchical, what does that mean? - answer-A
hierarchical is a system that practices the ranking of one group over another. The
Aztecs were governed by a single emperor who was chosen by a council of priests
and nobles.
Describe five major characteristics of the Aztecs. - answer-1) Religion enabled the
belief in human sacrifice.
2) Aztec ball game, Ullama, was an original invention that often required human
sacrifice.
3) Hierarchical system
4) Resourceful w/ food and clothes. Corn, beans, chile, and squash were popular in
their diets.
5)Believed in selling themselves and/or children into slavery to earn income.
List and briefly describe two reasons given by Diamond for the collapse of the
Mayas. - answer-The "power cycling". Cities were getting into war and battles with
one another and creating economic disasters. Droughts were common and led to the
destruction of agriculture and prevented the Mayans from sustaining life.
List and briefly explain four major reasons for the defeat of the Aztecs by the
Spanish. (1521) - answer-1) Disease- No immunity available/invented. Illness were
rising and spreading. mumps, measles and smallpox.
2) Spanish's technological advantages: Sail, horses. Aztec's weapons ineffective
against the Spanish because they had better armor and weapons.
3) the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés. During march through Mexico, encountered
natives called the Tlaxcalans, enemies of the Aztecs. Became an important ally for
Cortés during his siege of Tenochtitlán.
4) Aztecs captured rather than killing their enemies in war. Spanish killed to conquer.
colonialism - answer-The control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent
country, territory, or people.
Imposition of socio-cultural, religions, and linguistic structure.
mercantilism - answer-An economic theory. To increase economic well-being and
political strength. Regulate trade and impose taxes to transfer colonial wealth to the
countrys'.
repartimiento - answer-A colonial forced labor party imposed upon the indigenous
population of Spanish America and the Philippines.
free wage labor - answer-People are able to have a say in their ability to work unlike
slaves.
