Why did Cortés enlist the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help defeat the Aztec?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Cortés needed their help because he knew that his military technology was not strong enough to defeat the Aztec.
Cortés needed their help because he knew that his military technology was not strong enough to defeat the Aztec.

The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac could help lure Aztec forces into a false sense of security by offering tribute.
The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac could help lure Aztec forces into a false sense of security by offering tribute.

Cortés used the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help him fight the Aztec because he wanted them to run his New World territories after he left.
Cortés used the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help him fight the Aztec because he wanted them to run his New World territories after he left.

The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac were eager to get out from under the self-imposed rule of the Aztec.

Answer 1

The most accurate response is:

The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac were eager to get out from under the self-imposed rule of the Aztec.

Cortés enlisted the help of these groups because they held longstanding grievances against the Aztecs and were motivated to ally with the Spaniards to overthrow their common enemy.

Answer 2

How did the Spanish ultimately take control of the Inca and Aztec Empires?(1 point)
Responses

The Inca and Aztec Empires eventually fell under Spanish control because the Spanish had superior weapons.
The Inca and Aztec Empires eventually fell under Spanish control because the Spanish had superior weapons.

The Spanish took advantage of civil war.
The Spanish took advantage of civil war.

The entire Inca and Aztec populations were killed by smallpox before the Spanish arrived.
The entire Inca and Aztec populations were killed by smallpox before the Spanish arrived.

The Spanish were welcomed and given slaves and riches.
The Spanish were welcomed and given slaves and riches.

Answer 3

The most accurate response is:

The Spanish took advantage of civil war.

Both the Aztec and Inca Empires were experiencing internal strife and civil war at the time of the Spanish conquest, which allowed the Spanish to exploit divisions and gain support from rival factions to facilitate their takeover. While factors like superior weapons and diseases like smallpox also played significant roles, the internal conflicts were crucial to the Spanish success.

Answer 4

In 3–5 sentences, explain how the Aztecs tried to adapt to their environment and whether they were successful.(4 points)

Answer 5

The Aztecs adapted to their environment through innovative agricultural practices, particularly by developing chinampas, or floating gardens, which allowed them to efficiently grow crops on the shallow lakes surrounding their capital, Tenochtitlán. They also implemented advanced irrigation systems and terraces to maximize arable land. Their adaptation to their environment enabled them to become highly productive and sustain a large population. Overall, these strategies were successful, as they contributed to the growth of a powerful empire that thrived in the challenging geography of central Mexico.

Answer 6

Write 3–5 sentences investigating the cultural, political, technological, and economic changes and continuities between the Olmec and Mayan civilizations.(4 points)

Answer 7

The Olmec and Mayan civilizations both exhibited significant cultural continuities, including the construction of monumental architecture and the development of complex religious beliefs centered around nature and agrarian deities. Politically, the Olmec established one of the earliest known hierarchical societies in Mesoamerica, while the Mayans expanded this with a more intricate system of city-states, each with its own ruler, which allowed for varying degrees of political autonomy. Technologically, both civilizations advanced in astronomy and mathematics, with the Maya significantly improving these fields, culminating in the creation of a sophisticated calendar system. Economically, both relied on agriculture, particularly maize cultivation, but the Mayans developed a more extensive trade network, exchanging goods like cacao and jade across Mesoamerica. Despite their differences, both cultures contributed foundational elements that influenced future Mesoamerican societies.

Answer 8

In 1–2 sentences, describe what factors a historian might consider in investigating the physical impact of Spanish conquest on the Aztec and Inca Empires.(2 points)

Answer 9

A historian might consider factors such as the demographic changes resulting from warfare and disease, particularly the impact of smallpox on indigenous populations, as well as the transformation of the landscape due to the establishment of Spanish settlements and agricultural practices. Additionally, they would look at the destruction of key cultural sites and the changes in land use as a result of European colonization and resource extraction.