The Aztecs Social 8 Worldviews in Conflict The

The Aztecs Social 8: Worldviews in Conflict: The Spanish and The Aztecs

Big Questions/Outcomes 1. How does a society’s worldview influence its choices, decisions and interactions with other societies? Eg. Spanish worldview led to their intolerance of other religions. 2. How were Aztec and Spanish identities and worldviews affected by intercultural contact? Eg. Aztec identity as special and superior was challenged by Spanish weaponry and disease.

Big Questions/Outcomes 3. How does rapid adaptation and change radically alter a society’s beliefs, values and knowledge. Eg. Aztec encounter with Spanish led them to believe they were living in end times.

Section I Key Question: What were the key parts of the worldview of the Aztec civilization prior to contact with the Spanish?

A. Religion Aztecs were incredibly religious and their religion informed much of their view of themselves, their environment, their neighbours, and their destiny. The Aztec religion would eventually sow the seeds of its own destruction. Aztecs believed in a polytheistic religion. Their supreme god was Huitzilopochtli, their god of light and the sun. The Aztecs believed that in order to help the gods raise the sun, they needed to supply their gods with the hearts and blood of sacrificial victims.

Huitzilopochtli God of war, sun, human sacrifice and the south. He was the national god of the Aztecs and led them in the Great Migration to Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs were very concerned with the survival of their patron god. If Huitzilopochtli thrived, the Aztec Empire would thrive. This led to the importance of human sacrifice, which was viewed as tribute to the sun god.

Tlaloc God of rain, fertility, and water. He was worshiped as giver of life and sustenance, but he was also feared for his ability to send hail, thunder, and lightning, and for being the lord of the powerful element of water.

Tezcatlipoca The god of the north, of judgment, night, deceit, sorcery and the Earth. Kind of like the Aztec version of Hades. Considered the arch enemy of Quetzecoatl.

Quetzalcoatl Was in human form but also a giant feathered serpent/dragon form. God of the west (which direction did the Spanish come from? ) Also god of the wind, dawn, learning, knowledge and the Aztec priests. Was viewed as the hero of the gods to the Aztecs. Created humanity.

B. Environment - Created Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco which was surrounded by mountains and 2000 m above sea-level in the Valley of Mexico. - This gave the Aztecs safety and security from other nations, but would present challenges. - The Aztecs believed their land was a sacred gift from their god Huitzilopochtli so it was their ‘promised land’ much like Israel is to Jews.

Taming Land Lake Aztecs had to tame environment to survive: 1. Added land to islands by building chinampa to have more farmland. 2. Built dykes to separate more fresh drinking water from brackish (salty) water. 3. The causeways that led to Tenochtitlan provided more safety as it forced invaders to attack through one of three channels.

Effect of Self Aztec Worldview All of this Aztec brilliance in engineering would lead to them becoming independent, resourceful and supremely selfconfident in their destiny, much like the Roman feats of engineering would make them feel superior to other cultures.

C. The Great Migration of the Aztecs Occurred in the 1100 s. Aztecs left their ancestral home in northern Mexico and down to central Mexico. Most historians believe they were looking for more suitable farming land as the north was a desert. Aztecs believed that the Great Migration was divinely inspired and they were led by Huitzilopochtli to a new, promised homeland. Almost mythic. Along the migration the Aztecs came across the ancient city of Teotihuacan from which they borrowed gods and ideas for architecture. Aztecs would call Teotihuacan the city of the gods.

How did the G. M. Affect the Aztec W. V? Led to belief of Aztecs being separate and superior to their neighbours. The Aztecs most likely believed they were destined for greatness and of course this belief led to a self-fulfilling prophecy: The Aztec Empire.

Section II Key Question: How did the Aztec civilization’s worldview influence Aztec choices, decisions, and customs?

Aztec Social Hierarchy Unlike most First Nations in North America, the Aztecs had a well defined social hierarchy. That means people were grouped according to status. At the top was the Nobility class which included nobles and priests and the Emperor was chosen from the nobility by the nobility. Then there was the middle class made up of skilled worksmen and merchants. The lower class was made up of the common folk and farmers. Finally, there was the slave class

The Aztec Emperor Always from the Nobility class and elected by the nobles. Official title was Huey Tlatoani, which means Great Speaker. Had absolute power and lived a life of absolute luxury. Official duties included being the Commander of Military, Chief Priest, and Head of State and Head of Government.

Social Mobility Unlike in Europe, Aztecs could move from one class to another. You could move upwards in Aztec society through warfare by capturing four or more captives. You could move downwards by becoming indebted and not being able to repay your debts. Slavery was often temporary until you had paid off your debts.

Social Organization Aztecs were organized into clans called calpolli. Members of a calpolli lived together in the same neighborhood and were responsible for the upkeep of that neighborhood. Members of a calpolli were grouped together by family ties or occupation (eg. Feather workers would have their own calpolli) Members of the calpolli elected a captain and council who were responsible for the taxation and administration of that calpolli.

Signs of Status Aztecs placed a strong emphasis on status and the different classes. In this they share more in common with Europeans than with their First Nation cousins in N. A. Only nobility could wear feathered garments, much like in Europe, only royalty could wear purple. How you dressed indicated your place in the Aztec social pecking order. So why were Aztecs so different from other First Nations? Some historians believed that this was a natural result of the Aztec natural ethnocentrism. Others believe that status became more important as the Aztecs became richer and more powerful as an

Aztec Militarism The Aztec were an empire and like all empires, placed a strong emphasis on a strong and large military force to defend and expand the empire. The Aztecs formed an alliance with three neighboring tribes in the Lake Texcoco region and overthrew the top dog of the Valley of the Mexico. Aztec strategy was to attack weaker allies of more stronger city states. Over time, the Aztecs conquered everything from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico. Aztecs required conquered territories to worship Huitzipocthli, pay tribute. Then they would leave the local ruler in place and the army would depart. It is believed that Aztecs kept such a loose grip in the hopes of rebellion so they could capture more captives for sacrifice.

The Aztec Empire Many conquered tribes/nations chafed under Aztec rule due to the Aztec desire for captives for sacrifice. One city state that revolted had all men and women slaughtered with the children sold into slavery. The Aztecs also had an arch enemy that they could not conquer. This would have dire consequences for the Aztecs when the Spanish showed up as both the enemies and the conquered would support the Spanish against the Aztecs.

Education Free for all Aztec children, both girls and boys. There were separate schools for the Noble Class and the Commoner Class. Only nobles learned to read glyphs, while commoners learned through oral/verbal instruction. Education was designed to prepare a young Aztec for his or her role and tasks as an adult. For example, boys were taught combat skills.

Architecture and Art Aztecs were inspired by Teotihuacan and older Meso. American cultures, notably the Toltecs. The Aztecs viewed the Toltecs as the Romans viewed the Greeks and Europeans in the Renaissance viewed the Romans. Before the Toltecs were the Olmecs, the founding culture of Meso America. Many of the gods of the Aztecs would be borrowed from the Olmecs and Toltecs. The Aztecs actually invented their own creation by saying they were descended from the Toltecs, much like Romans believed they were descended from

Aztec Virtues and Values Men were valued for their courage while women were valued for their nurturing and commitment to the home and family. Self-Sacrifice: All Aztecs put the group and society above the individual. Modesty and Clean Living: Aztecs were trained to be humble as this emphasized the group over the individual. Obedience: The social hierarchy had to be followed.