Social Studies 8 Unit 8: For the Good of the People

Aztec Signs of Status What are some of the ways that the Aztecs could display their social status? Clothing Jewelry Size and location of house Occupation Gold Quetzal Feathers However, the Aztecs also had rules about displaying their wealth and status, for example… Only nobles were allowed to wear cotton Only nobles could build a two storey house

Slavery in the Aztec Empire Slaves had the chance to work their way out of slavery and become free citizens. Furthermore, Aztecs were not born into slavery. The children of Aztec slaves were born free, and slaves could even own their own slaves! The Aztecs also recognized that slaves performed incredibly important tasks and appreciated how much slaves contributed to society. In fact, they were so appreciative of slaves that they created laws to protect slave rights ( ← what an oxymoron!). Two such laws were: The right to be treated fairly by their slave owner: if a noble beat their slave to death, there were serious consequences - they could be executed! A slave sold in the marketplace could immediately win their freedom if they could escape and run to the emperor’s palace without being caught - approx. one and a half kilometres. Lastly, slavery in the Aztec empire was comparable to a prison sentence (with an eventual release date), whereas in other cultures, slavery was an inescapable social class. Why do you think a prison sentence could be considered better than being born into a slave class? In many cultures, people lived and died within the same social class. The elite in society worked hard to preserve their place at the top of the hierarchy, which meant keeping commoners in their place. The Aztecs on the other hand were more concerned with bettering their society. They didn’t even have physical prisons; for major crimes, citizens were executed, and for minor crimes, citizens were sentenced to slavery. It was then up to them to earn the privilege of returning to society. While slavery is never a good thing, conditions were better in the Aztec Empire than they were in many other cultures for several reasons. For example…

Aztec Laws and Education The Aztecs had strict laws and values that governed their society, most of which, applied to all members of society. For example, every citizen had the right and the obligation to be educated. However, ONLY the nobility could be educated to become priests and government officials. In school, every child was taught the virtues of the ideal Aztec citizen. Those virtues were: All schooling was free in the Aztec Empire, and every child went to school. There were two types of schools, the calmecac (call–MEH–cahk)for nobles, and the telpochcalli(tell–poach–CALL–lee) for commoners. WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO SCHOOLS??

The Aztecs, the Spanish … and Canadians? When the Spanish arrived on the coast of Mexico, they were surprised to find that several Aztec societies were eager to help the Spanish in their conquest of the Aztec Empire. Why do you think that is? Firstly, many Aztec societies were conquered and acquired through war. Conquered groups were also forced to pay tribute to the Aztecs. They would have to give up their prized possessions, such as fabric, food, spices, jewellery, but the most valuable tributes the Aztecs could collect were: exotic bird feathers - they were worth more than gold! As a result, many groups became bitter towards the Aztecs instead of loyal. While Canadians would disagree with many of the Aztec’s societal values, some Canadian values are surprisingly similar to the Aztec’s. For example, the most important thing an Aztec citizen could do was contribute to society in some way. In fact, the main goal of Aztec education was to teach citizenship duties to the Aztec youth and to create loyal citizens to strengthen the state. Canadians also value loyal, hard working citizens who use their talents to make Canada a better place! Can you think of any specific ways that the Aztecs and Canadians contribute to society? What are some of the Aztec societal values that completely contrast Canadian values?

The Aztec Social Hierarchy Being at the top of the hierarchy, Aztec emperors enjoyed certain privileges, such as: – Palaces – Spectacular gardens – Private zoos – Servants – And more... With privilege came responsibility. Aztec emperors had two main responsibilities, they were: – Commander of the Army – Head of State Aztec Neighbourhoods: Calpollis. – The Aztecs lived with their family clans and sometimes people who shared their professions. – These neighbourhoods, or groups, were called calpollis. Some of the major calpollis were: Merchants: richest calpollis, brought back valuable resources, often worked as spies and advisors during times of war. Artisans: most talented calpollis, always busy keeping up with the demand for finer things. Mask makers, goldsmiths, and feather workers were among the most respected artisans. Farmers: skilled hunters and fishers. They sold much of what they caught in the market to add to the family income. They gave up a share of their produce in taxes to help the state survive, and in some cases, donated their time and physical labour to the state.

MATCHING 7. A comet that foretold the death and destruction of the Aztec empire 3. Symbols and pictures used in writing 1. Dealing with a law breaker by requiring the offender to repair the harm done 4. A sign of something that will happen 6. An innovative man made island used for growing crops 9. School for the nobles 5. Mandatory military service 10. School for the commoners 8. A unit of organization for Aztec society H. Calpolli B. Retributive Justice D. Omen C. Glyphs E. Conscription F. Chinampas G. Star Serpent 2. Dealing with lawbreakers by punishing them A. Restorative Justice I. Calmecac J. Telpochcalli

That’s all folks!!!

Review Slide School for the nobles were called: Calmecac. List at least two ways the Aztecs could displa their social status. Clothing, jewelry, size and location of house, occupation, gold, quetzal feathers. The comet that foretold the death and destruction of the Aztec empire was called: The Star Serpent Dealing with lawbreakers by punishing them is called: Retributive justice. Status Laws: Only nobles could _______ and ________. Wear cotton, build a two storey house. School for the commoners were called: Telpochcalli. Conscription is: Mandatory military service. An innovative man made island used for growing crops is a : Chinampa List the 5 virtues of the ideal Aztec citizen (**hint: MOCCS) Modesty, Obedience, Courage, Clean-living, Self Sacrifice A sign of something that will happen is called: An omen. _________________ were worth more that gold in the Aztec Empire. Quetzal feathers/Exotic bird feathers. The main goal of Aztec education was to teach ____ and to_____. citizenship duties to the Aztec youth; create loyal citizens to strengthen the state. A unit of organization for Aztec society was called a: Calpolli Dealing with a law breaker by requiring the offender to repair harm done is called: Restorative justice. An Aztec emperor had two main responsibilities/roles. They were: Commander of the Army and Head of State. Some of the privileges that emperors enjoyed were: Palaces, gardens, zoos, and servants. There are 5 sections in the Aztec Social Hierarchy. Use the following acronym to list all members of the hierarchy, from most important to least important: E. NP. MAS. FFW. S: Emperor; Nobility and Priests; Merchants, Artisans and Soldiers; Farmers, Fishers, and Women; Slaves. Symbols and pictures used in writing are called: Glyphs. Like the Aztecs, Canadians value: Loyal, hard working citizens, who better society. Some would say that slaves had it better in the Aztec society than in other cultures for many reasons, but most importantly, because: In the Aztec Empire, slaves could work their way out of slavery. ONLY the nobility could be educated to become: Priests and government officials. List some of the characteristics of the Telpochcalli: School for commoners, lessons often taught through song, students taught a trade and expected to contribute physical labor. List some of the characteristics of the Calmecac: School for nobles, students taught with codices, emphasis on religious education, many students became priests and government officials. True or False: the surrounding Aztec societies were eager to help the Aztecs conquer the Spanish. False: they were happy to help the Spanish. What are two of the reasons the surrounding Aztec societies were eager to help the Spanish conquer the Aztec Empire? Most were conquered by the Aztecs through war and required to pay tribute.