The History Channel: The Aztec Empire
1) Why is it so difficult for researchers to figure out where the Aztec came
from?
2) What are some theories about their early years of civilization?
3) Who were the Aztec’s main Gods?
4) What “gifts” did the Aztecs offer to their Gods? Why did they think this
practice was necessary?
5) Who was Tlaloc? What special sacrifices were required to obtain his
blessing?
6) Why was the “Eagle on a Cactus” an important message for the Aztec?
7) Describe the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlán: How did they build it?
8) What obstacles made the construction of Tenochtitlán particularly difficult?
9) What sorts of things about the capital surprised the Spaniards when they
saw it for the first time?
10)In your opinion were the Aztec more/less advanced than European
cultures at the time? (1500’s) Give a couple examples.
11)Why did the Aztec flay some of their victims? What did they do with their
skins?
12)How did the Spaniards react to this practice?
13)Describe the Aztec emperor Montezuma: How did others react to him?
14)What prophecy “seemed” to be coming true in 1519?
15)What was coincidental about Cortez’ arrival in Mexico?
16)What did Montezuma send as a gift? Why was this going to be a
problem?
17) Who did Cortez rely on as his interpreter? Why was she so important?
18)What does La Malinche’s name mean to modern day Mexicans?
19)How did the Spaniards view the Aztecs? Why was this ironic?
20)What other factors helped the outnumbered Spaniards to defeat the
Aztec?
21)Upon his arrival into the city, how was Cortez received by Montezuma?
How did he treat him in return?
22)What did the Spaniards do with all the Aztec gold?
23)Why did Cortez demand the removal of all idols from Aztec temples?
24)Who killed Montezuma? Give both versions of the story.
25)What was ironic about how many Spaniards died when the Aztec finally
ran them out?
26)What deadly weapon did the Spaniards leave behind? Describe its effect
on the Aztec population.
27)What did a Mexican construction worker discover in 1978? Why was this
an important discovery?
31) OPINION: Were the Aztec people savage like the Spaniards said? Why
or why not? Who strikes you as more savage, the Aztec or the Spanish?
Why do you think the Spanish conquest of the America’s is so frequently
glorified?