Changing a WorldviewChanging a Worldview

A New ReligionA New ReligionWhat year was the final siege of

Tenochtitlan?

During the final siege of Tenochtitlan, Aztec priests telling their people that if the Aztecs continued their sacrifices and prayers, the gods would lead them to victory.

An Aztec PoemAn Aztec PoemWe are crushed to the ground; we lie in

ruins.

There is nothing but grief and suffering inMexico and Tlatelolco, where once we sawbeauty and valour.

Have you grown weary of your servants? Are

you angry with your servants, O Giver of Life?

An Aztec PoemAn Aztec PoemWhat is the meaning of this

poem?

A New ReligionA New Religion3 years after the conquest priests

came off Spanish ships at Veracruz.

A New ReligionA New ReligionThey were from the Franciscan

orderWhat details in the image help you Identify these individuals as Franciscans?

A New ReligionA New ReligionThey (and other missionaries) gradually

converted many of the surviving Aztecs to the Catholic faith.

They destroyed Aztec temples and burned all the Aztec codices they could find.Why were these actions necessary from the

Franciscan perspective?

A New ReligionA New ReligionSome Aztecs continued some of the

religious practices in secret after conversion.(Page 240 in your textbook – figures 11-4 and 11-

5)

What do these two images suggest about how some Aztecs responded to Christianity?

A New EconomyA New EconomyWhat was the Aztec economy

based on before the Spanish conquest?

A New EconomyA New EconomyThe Spanish introduced the

encomienda systemWith each piece of land, Spanish

settlers were given a number of Aztec workers

A New EconomyA New EconomyThe Spanish landowners did not

pay the workers but they were supposed to treat them well and educated them in Christianity.

Many landowners abused their workers.

A New EconomyA New Economy

The Spanish Crown

Governor or Viceroy

Spanish Conquistadores and Settlers

The Aztec People

Takes 20 % of all gold and valuables. found in New Spain.

Collects taxes to support himself, the government and the Crown.

Given encomiendas with Aztec workers. After paying taxes, theykeep profits

Do all the actual work on farms and

in mines in return for food, clothing,

and shelter.

What affect did this arrangement have on the Aztec’s ability to create wealth for themselves?