Common Core! A Close Reading Investigation with Annotation Guide & Common Core Analysis Common Core Writing 6-8.1, Common Core Literacy 6-8.2,4 & 10 Historical Snapshot An Aztec Close Reading Investigation Mexico How the Aztecs finally settled these Tlatohtin were considered slaves, they were treated far kinder in the Aztec empire than typical he Aztec claimed that they originally slaves in other Mesoamerica empires. In addition to wandered from Aztlan, a sacred ground aggression and conquering, the Aztec appreciated the somewhere in Northern Mexico. Their value of trade, so the Tlatohtinm or merchants also T nomadic lifestyle and unique language, were respected in Aztec culture. These travelers Nahuatlm, kept them at arm’s length from other handed down their title and prestige through their Mesoamerican civilizations. In the 13th century, they lineage. Towering above all these classes were the attempted to settle into central Mexico, but warring Tetuhctin , rulers of various parts of the empire and among the surrounding city-states eventually the king himself. Their families were still given honor uprooted the Aztec people again. Seeking refuge, as nobles with the title ofpipiltin and enjoyed a life of they fled and colonized the small islands of Lake tranquility tucked into the island proper. To further Texcoco. In 1325, they began laying the foundation of complicate class structure, the Aztecs also allowed their greatest city Tenochtitlan upon witnessing an Calpolli , or the big house, to thrive in their culture. ancient prophecy come to life; The eagle perched on These massive house complexes sheltered a a prickly pear eating a snake is captured for all particular family mixed with leaders and commoners. eternity on the Mexican flag and coat of arms. The Sometimes but not always, they were related by Aztec’s became fierce and conquered many of their blood. The elite members of the compound would neighboring tribes, making Tenochtitlan one of the offer their lower cousins better job opportunities or mightiest empires of central Mexico. This great Aztec provide good farming ground, or commoners could empire would later become what we modernly know manage their betters’ land or do various other tasks as Mexico City. for the leaders or chiefs. Complex Aztec society From the Lake Up Even as the self proclaimed “Mexicas” acquired and The shallow, brackish waters of Lake Texcoco didn’t absorbed the riches and peoples surrounding their stop the Aztecs from adapting to their new great nation, they created an intricately layered environment, building a successful civilization. They social system which labeled every citizen into a used wattle and daub, woven boards sealed together particular caste. Those that lived outside the garden with mud, to box in and pile up new islands within city of Tenochtitlan were dubbed macehualtin. These the lake to build upon. In a similar fashion, they commoners meant little to the noblemen and higher created irrigable land and intricate raised gardens ranking social class members. If one managed to called chinampas, all with canals for canoes to go impress a higher ranked citizen with skills related to between them. These gardens were ideal for crop conquering or war, they were treated as nobles and growing, and often yielded seven growth cycles a called Cuauhipiltin, or eagle nobles. If an Aztec year. Corn, hemp, beans, avocado, squash, peppers, individual owed a great debt, he could chose to and tobacco made up the majority of crops. Aztec enslave himself to resolve the discrepancy. Though Copyright © 2015 Instructomania Pavlovich Common Core Writing 6-8.1, Common Core Literacy 6-8.2,4 & 10 farmers grew so much bounty, they fed themselves, economy. This brute-force system, would ultimately the upper classes of the city, and still had enough to assist in their demise. Still, there were some items trade in the markets. All the islands were connected that Aztec farmers wanted, but could not grow. Thus, by causeways to the mainland, and bridges were built the conquering leaders later in the Aztec’s history so that every part of Tenochtitlan were accessible by expanded their lands as far as the Gulf of Mexico, foot and canoe. The bridges could also be pulled in as where rare items were discovered. Trading with other a means of safety in the case of an attack. tribes from Central America and returning with exotic fare offered members of the merchant class prestige. Order and Education Each big house had its own market near their temple in the heart of the complex, but the main market of the Aztec empire was in Tlatelolco, Tenochtitlan’s The continuation of Tenochtitlan’s construction sister city to the north. Though barter was more marked several more major achievements. When common, occasionally three items were used as Moctezuma I reigned, he finished the building of a currency: hoe money, rods of copper of a standard double aqueduct system and a levee to the East of weight and size, rich tasting and energizing cacao Lake Texcoco. These massive improvements supplied beans, and Quachtli, a highly valued bolt of cloth. fresh water to the lake for crops and Tenochtitlan’s Surprisingly, children were often traded into slavery growing population. At its peak, it was estimated that for needed goods. the Aztec populous was upwards of 200,000 people, one of the largest of its time.In addition to it’s status as a dominating civilization, the Aztecs had other Games for Glory significant accomplishments. A codex of laws were The Aztecs adapted a ball game known as ollamaliztli written to maintain order, and the laws were very from their Mayan neighbors. Players hit a solid rubber specific on how to behave in every situation. It was ball through a stone ring or across a line at the center very similar to later countries’ social requirements, of the playing field. There were no rules on how to but one of the first to be recorded. School was also get the ball from the opposition, so many players got required to learn the law. The laws were compiled in injured. Great players earned their way into the elite largely pictorial books, meant to symbolize class. Another pastime Aztecs embraced for fame was appropriate behaviors. These books still remain called Volador, or Flying Bird. Players would dress in among the best primary sources from the Aztecs. elaborate bird costumes, tie 60-90 foot rope from the top of a pole, grip the other end of the rope with Religious Rituals their thighs, and swing around the pole. Points were The Aztecs were polytheistic, meaning they given for style, dress, and speed. Whoever made the worshipped multiple gods. Kings were also idolized best bird won the games and respect among the since their people thought that these leaders could people. intercede with the gods. The main component of their religion was that the Gods needed to be nourished with blood. To prevent upsetting the gods The Aztec’s Defeat and suffering disastrous events, they offered The Spaniards were responsible for the destruction of sacrifices. Captives from regional conquests were the Aztec Empire. Hernándo Cortéz landed on the often sacrificed to the Gods. All such rituals were Gulf Coast in 1519 and joined forces with the Aztecs’ done on an alter in a temple, the most prominent of biggest rival and victims of having to pay tribute, the which was in the center of Tenochtitlan. A massive stone calendar was carved outside the temple in Confederacy of Tlaxcala. Hostilities grew as they wore 1479, and it depicts the schedule of worship for each out their welcome, and it brought about the god. Every 52 years, the religious calendar and Massacre in the Great Temple and the death of planting calendar would align and the Aztecs would Moctezuma II. The Spanish fled, but unknowingly left hold the New Fire Festival, a way to appease the behind a devastating silent killer: smallpox. When, God’s so they’d hold back disaster. they returned a year later the majority of the population was either dead or infected. They A Time of trade completely destroyed the city and most of the Aztec citizens. Tribute, or payment from neighboring tribes in return for not being attacked, was the base of the Aztec Copyright © 2015 Instructomania Pavlovich Common Core Writing 6-8.1, Common Core Literacy 6-8.2,4 & 10 Historical Snapshot An Aztec Close Reading Investigation Analysis Complete the following questions by using the reading, Historical Snapshot: A Maya Close Reading Investigation. 1. List the section subheading where you can find the following key concepts for social science: Geography:_________________________________ Social Classes:__________________________________ Leadership:_________________________________ Religion:_______________________________________ Economy:__________________________________ Achievements:_________________________________ 2. Leadership: Write an excerpt from the reading that best represents how Aztec leaders were treated by their people. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Economy: Describe three items used as currency among the Aztec people. _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Achievements: Why did Aztec Ruler Moctezuma I build a levee