Social Studies 8

Chapter 8

Our inquiry question for chapter 8 is:

How does a society’s way of looking at the world influence its customs, choices,

and decisions?

The Inquiry Question for this section is:

How does the structure of Aztec society tell us what was important to the Aztec

people?

Aztec society was built upon a hierarchy.

Typically you were born into a particular class and that determined what you did in life.

There are some examples of people moving up through the ranks by their own efforts.

This diagram illustrates the Aztec social structure (page 172)

How similar is this to the European social structure before the enlightenment?

The Role of the EmperorThe emperor had many privileges

Treated like a god Given every possible luxury Absolute power

The Emperor had many responsibilities Commander of the Army

The emperor had to be a skilled warriorExpert in military strategyAble to lead in battle

Head of StateAll decisions concerning the empire made by

him.All consequences rested on him

Chief PriestMaintained the Aztec religion

Turn to page 173 and read the Think it Through section in the bottom right hand corner.

What different perceptions are created by the terms Emperor and Great Speaker?

Family ClansMuch of Aztec society was organized into

calpolli. Community groups based on neighborhood,

occupation, or genealogy.Merchants

The richest calpolli was the merchants. Their trade made them very wealthy. Their knowledge made them very important.

Farmers Another calpolli was the farmers who grew and

provided food for the empire. Paid their taxes in produce to support the

emperor.Artisans

A third calpolli was the artisans who produced finished goods (cloth, art, jewelry, ect.)

Mainly produced goods for the rich.

Turn to page 178 Read the paragraph under the heading

“Signs of Status” Then read the “Exploring Sources”

section at the bottom of the page. In our society how do we judge people’s

status? How do we try to maintain our status?

Complete the Scavenger hunt worksheet for section 1 pages 172-173

Read page 180 – 183 Read FYI p. 183 and figure 8-19.

Now discuss the FYI and the figure

How would you punish someone who misbehaves?

In Aztec society, and in most societies today people who break the law are punished. They may be fined or put in jail or put to death. This is called retributive justice. Another kind of justice is called restorative justice. This is when you commit a crime you need to repair the harm you have done. Also, the community, the victim and the criminal are involved in the process of repairing the harm.

What consequences do you think people should face when they misbehave or break the rules?

Read the behavior/crime and write down what you think the punishment should be.

Behaviour Punishment

Skipping class

Smoking on school property

Vandalizing the School

Selling Drugs at School

Shoplifting a video game from Wal-Mart

Breaking Curfew

Beating someone to death (the intention of not killing them)*

Killing someone intentionally **

Taking advantage of children ***

Stealing a vehicle and speeding down the highway

Multimillion dollar break and enter followed by arson.

Section 2: Aztec EducationFill in the chart below with information about features of the Calmecac and the Telpochcalli.

Calmecac Telpochcalli

Fill in the chart about how Aztec girls and boys were educated

Boys Girls

Aztec Society was focused on producing citizens that would contribute to the community.

Use the following Tri-Pie chart to organize your response to the statement:

The good of society is more important than the good of the individual.

Label the chart sections “Yes,” “No,” and “Maybe.” Include at least one response in each of the three sections of the chart.