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When was the Aztec empire founded?
1325 CE
What was the sign given by the gods telling the Aztec people to stop searching for land?
An eagle holding a snake in its beak perched atop of a cactus
The Aztec built their city on...
Lake Texcoco
Spelling Bee... Spell this word...
Tlaxcalans
What was the only way to move up the social ladder for the Aztecs
Become an elite warrior (Jaguar and Eagle)
Who was the god of war, sun and the nation?
Huitzilopochtli
How were the Aztecs able to expand their city?
By creating "floating gardens" called Chinampas
Who was Hernan Cortes?
A Spanish conquistador who led the Americas expedition in 1519
Why did the Moctezuma II send Cortes gifts when he heard about their arrival in Mexica?
To tell Cortes to stay away from Tenochtitlan
Who was Quetzalcoatl and why was he significant to Cortes?
god of life, wisdom and light. Prophecy that he would return from the east as a man with a white beard in 1519. The same year Cortez arrived in Mexica
Name one factor that contributed to the success of the Spanish in the conquest.
Spanish weapons and resources; Fame and glory; Prophecy; La Malinche; Moctezuma II and Tlaxcala (enemy tribes)
According to Spanish accounts, how did Moctezuma II die?
Stoned and wounded by his own people - died 3 days later
What started the war between the Spanish and the Aztecs after Cortes left to deal with Cuba?
The Spanish (Alvarado) massacred thousands of Aztec nobles in a palace courtyard during the festival of Toxcatl
What is the La Noche Triste and what happened?
Night of Sorrows were the Spanish were massacred by the Aztecs and forced to leave Tenochtitlan
What did the Spanish leave behind at Tenochtitlan that caused massed death to the Aztecs?
Smallpox
During the siege of Tenochtitlan, how long did the Aztecs hold out before their resistance was squashed?
Around 85 days
