How Did the Aztec and Spanish Ways of Life Reflect Their

Worldviews?

Chapter 8

How did the Social Systems of the Aztec Reflect their Worldview

Aztec society was highly structured, based on agriculture and trade, and guided by a religion that was part of every aspect of life.

They had a hierarchical system of authority that was divided into three social classes: upper, middle and lower.

Nobility

.•Pipiltin were the upper, ruling class (government, army & priests) •Emperor- huey tlatoani (high priest too)•Land ownership based on social class•Pipiltin had to follow strict behavior code (role models)•Nobility kept all records and gained honor

Commoners

Macehualtin were the middle class (military, priests, merchants, artisans, or long-distance traders)

Warriors were next to nobility – very important, exemplary leaders and judges of petty crimes

Macehualtins became very wealthy usually through trading

Mayeques (peasants) worked for nobles and received land and payed taxes.

Tlacotin another name for slaves and they could buy their freedom Not born into slavery – choice/punishment

Division of Social Class

UPPER Huey Tlatoni (Emperor) Pipiltin (Ruling class)

MIDDLE Macehualtin

(Warriors, Priests, Pochteca, Toltecah)

LOWER Mayeques (Peasants) Tlacotin (Slaves)

Priests

Boys from all classes could study to become priests

Did not get married Top rank reserved for pipiltin They would advise the emperor and

oversee important religious functions Their most important job was to offer

human sacrifices Women could also serve as priestess

for the goddesses

Roles of Men and Women Women cared for the household and family;

some did become artisans. Men did all other physical work;

forced to join the army when soldiers were needed.

Children worked beside parents as early as age 5.

Girls marry by early teens; boys marry by late teens/early twenties.

In case of break-up, wife gets automatic custody of kids

Women enjoyed legal protections, along with a high degree of freedom.

Education Free for girls and boys Taught religious rituals and structured

classes Singing, dancing, music

Pass on traditions by dancing and singing

Long poems, stories, songs, histories were important to memorize Oral Tradition

Separate schools for upper and lower class Calmecac; Telpochcalli

Went to school until marriage Boys and girls taught separately Boys taught occupational skills, history,

religions & good citizenship Girls taught how to manage the house,

spinning & weaving

How did the Political and Economic Systems Reflect the Aztec Worldview?

Aztec Political System The emperor, huey tlatoani, was elected by

the council of wise men The council men were elected by their

calpullis (clans) made up of the greatest warriors and the wisest

priests The huey tlatoani was the representative of

Huitzilopochtli, no one could disobey him. The council of wise men could dismiss the

huey tlatoani if they disagreed with him his title/place was not heriditary.

Role of Priests in the Government

Held highest position in royal court – members of nobility.

Emperor consulted them on dreams and omens

Priests decided the days that were lucky to go to war and hold sacrificial ceremonies.

Responsible for providing music and directing religious ceremonies

Aztec Economy

TRIBUTEFARMINGGOODS & SERVICE

MARKETPLACETRADE

Aztec Economy Tribute was an important factor –

payment to the Aztec emperor. Ensured a steady flow of goods for

the Aztec and encouraged the development of new businesses and improved the economy.

Forms of tribute – FOOD: cacao beans NATURAL RESOURCES: cotton \

LUXURY ITEMS: precious metals MILITARY SERVICE

Rulers benefited because many items were redistributed as payment for their allegiance to the emperor

Development of new businesses and improved the economy.

Tribute system continued under Spanish rule

FARMING – backbone of the Aztec economy Used for tribute or to pay taxes or trade Technological innovations such as

irrigation and dike systems led to faster & more efficient farming. Farming was done

on floating gardens called chiampas

Marshland farmers worked full time but inland farmers had to have other jobs such as producing goods made from raw materials or mining salt or stone.

Cottage industries supplied other object such as ceramic pottery, blades, obsidian tools and paper made from the inside of bark

In the cities, there were services such as barbers and herbalists and individuals who sold “fast food” (prepared good and drinks)

Some people became artisans and made jewellery from precious stones, gold and silver

The most valued artisans were the feather workers who crafted vibrantly coloured capes, garments, and ceremonial

items made from tropical bird feathers.

Good that weren’t used for tribute or taxes were sent to the MARKETPLACE

Market trade was based on barter or trade

Markets were divided into streets and each type of merchandise was sold its own street

Trade outside the marketplace was forbidden

Hernan Cortes says:

… twice as big as [a Spanish city] with arcades all around, where more than sixty thousand people come...to buy and sell, and where every kind of merchandise produced in these lands is found; provisions, as well as ornaments of gold and silver,lead, brass, copper, tin, stones, shells, bones and feathers. They also sell lime, hewn and unhewn stone, adobe bricks, tiles and cut and uncut woods of various kinds. There is a street where they sell game and birds of every species found in this land...They sell rabbits and hares and small gelded dogs which they breed for eating. There are streets for herbalists where all the medicinal herbs and roots foundin the land are sold...There are shops like barbers where they have their hair washed and shaved and shops where they sell food and drink. There are also men like porters to carry loads.

Since the Aztec did not have oxen or horses to transport goods, they transported goods by canoe along the waterways that ran down the Valley of Mexico.

Porters worked for the Pochteca (long-distance merchants) and traded finished goods and raw materials to make clothing and jewellery for the nobility.

Were also called spying merchants because they travelled to enemy territory & reported back to theEmperor

The pochteca held a high position of status in the empire.

How did the Culture of the Aztecs Reflect their Worldview?Aztec Religious Beliefs and Practices

Rituals and sacrifices Thought warrior hearts were

the best nourishment and that sacrifice kept the world together.

Believed that human blood was above all else

Sacrifices were large public events that were performed at the top of temples.

Medicine Bundles

Sacred objects of the Aztecs were bundles containing blessed corn, feathers, rubber and precious stones.

Each altepetl (city) has its own bundle that was the centre of the city

Huitzilopochtli’s bundle was kept in the main temple of Tenochtitlan.

Medicine

Religion – certain gods were thought to send illness or to heal

Magic – some diseases were thought to be sent by magic. Anyone thought to be casting spells would be condemned.

Medicine – they knew a lot about the healing properties of plants and minerals.

The Arts

Books and Codices Used picture writing

Had no alphabet Scribes and priests recorded poetry, history,

moral lessons, rituals, tribute lists, governmental and business records.

Only the elite (pipiltin) were taught to read Often wrote on deerskin, cloth or ornate

paper Painted on both sides of long paper strips The few codices that were not destroyed were

about animals and guides for living

Sculpture

Religious in nature Stone sculpture were of Gods

Were often placed in and under temples In recognition of the three levels of the

universe ▪ In recognition of gods, earth and the

underworld Smaller statues were of animals

usually jaguars and snakes maintaining balance with the natural world

Craftsmen taught their talents to their sons

Architecture Temples were the largest building in any city

The most magnificent was in Tenochtitlan Architecture was borrowed

from the Teotihuacan or Toltec

They developed the idea to divide the pyramid at the top to represent the sacred mountains

It was called Templo Mayor

Featherworks & Luxury Items

Aztecs prized feathers more than gold Feathers were rare, delicate

and brightly coloured Many luxury items such as

jewels and ornaments had no religious importance and were created to satisfy the desires of the wealthy

Artisans created jewellery, ceramics and mosaics using precious stones and jewels

The importance of time

The main calendar was called Xiuhtlapohually made up of 18 months, 20 days plus 5 extra days Each month named for a god and incorporated a religious festival

dedicated to that god Regulated agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting and

determined market days The second important calendar was the ritual calendar called

Tonalpohually 260 days People were name based on the day they were born on Eacd day associated with a specific fate that was good, bad or

indifferent. They believed that the day on which they were born would - Used to determine when their religious rituals and sacrifices should be

performed

Life was coordinated by two calendars

How did the Spanish Social Systems Reflect the Spanish Worldview?

Spanish society used the feudal system until 1486 and then switched to the seigneurial system.

Peasants were given sections of land by the lord of an estate to cultivate in return for money, goods, or services. They essesntial worked for the landlord but had more freedom.

The nobility was the smallest class and owned the most land.

There were many more peasants than business owners, but the merchant class was growing.

Nobility

Were powerful and ruled their estates almost like monarchs.

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella took back much of the land owned by nobility.

Large tracts of land were passed on to the eldest son of nobles.

Sons studied to enter clergy or tried to gain honour (Conquistadors)

Classes of minor nobles = hidalgo Spanish nobility very much hated

manual labour and commerce, and judged an individual’s worth by social position rather than by achievement.

Commoners

Made up 90% of Spain’s population. Feudal peasants had the lowest status. Most lived and worked on nobles’

estates. Only small percentage owned land Couldn’t save money Under Ferndinand & Isabella, the middle

class began to grow. Many of the wealthy merchant class were

educated and owned land.

Priests

Roman Catholic priests became the religious leaders in local parishes or joined formal religious orders.

Parish priests often would have to look for other work to earn money to support themselves.

Priests from religious orders (Franciscan, Domincan, Salesians) were better educated and came from wealthier families▪ Religious orders were well organized & independent ▪ Religious orders operated many schools for commoners

The priests who made it to upper clergy had great status and rank.

Roles of Men and Women Similar to the roles of men and women

during the Renaissance. Women were expected to marry well and

take care of the household. Divorce was strictly forbidden in the church Some became fine writers and artisans

Men were expected to do the hard labour. Some peasant women would cultivate land

when needed Only men could hold government positions

and be involved in running a business.

Education

Under Moorish control, Spain used to be more tolerant of religion than anywhere else

Before Spain evicted them, the Jews and Muslims provided a highly respected education.

There were several universities The Spanish benefited very much from the

universities and libraries left behind by the Jews and Muslims.

Education became tightly linked with the Roman Catholic Church.

Spanish scholars began to focus on religious studies rather than humanist pursuits

Education continued…

In towns and cities there was education for most children.

Children of nobility, especially sons, were mostly tutored at home and then went on to university.

Some daughters went to school, but most received private lessons at home

Religious education was present at all levels of educaation

Some rural areas provided basic formal education to children of peasants.

Boys learned carpentry and how to farm. Girls learned how to cook and sew.

How did the Political and Economic Systems of the Spanish Reflect their Worldview?

Spanish Political System Believed only God could give someone

the right to rule. Since God appointed the monarch, no

king or queen could be removed The King & Queen had near absolute

power. Although there was a central authority,

each kingdom maintained a separate parliament

Spanish Political Systems

Spanish parliament was called the Cortes Legislations were approved by the

Cortes. King and queen could dismiss the

Cortes whenever they wished but the Cortes still controlled the treasury.

Nobles were given high ranking but had fewer oppurtunities to be involved

Role of the Church in the Government

Roman Catholic Church was often closely linked to the monarchy.

People who did not accept the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church were disloyal to the monarchy.

King and Queen reduced the power of the church.

Wanted the power to make their own decisions

Spanish Economy Barcelona and Valencia were major

seaports for importing and exporting goods.

The decrease in population due to the Black Death, resulted in a decline in both agricultural and manufacturing output.

Under Moorish rule between the 8th and 13th centuries agriculture flourished.

Olives, grapes, wheat, rice and fruit were the main products

Sheep farmers formed a guild – a powerful organization called a mesta.

Economic Problems

Nobility saw farming and businesses as the lower class

Nobility would buy land and the land would remain uncultivated.

Small businesses would purchase land with extra money instead of creating more business

Spain’s economy suffered because of little investment in agriculture & commerical efforts

When Fernindand & Isabella took over, Spanish economy improved, especially with the wool trade in Castile

However, during wars, Spain’s economy suffered again because they needed guns & weapons, not wool

Economic Problems

Nobilitles began overseas trading when Spain colonies

Spain wasn’t able to produce for both, so its colonies increased their manufacturing

Over time, Spain became one of the richest and most powerful countries.

Gold and silver eventually caused massive inflation in parts of Spain and Europe

How did the Culture of the Spanish Reflect their Worldviews?

Spanish Religious Beliefs and PracticesBelieved they would go to heaven or hell

based on how well they followed the religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Included following the Bible & confession

Cathedrals were the grandest buildings in any cities and built as places to worship God.

Religion united Roman Catholics to conquer the Moors.

By the end of the Reconquista, Catholicism was the only religion allowed in Spain.

Focused on the suffering of Jesus Christ and admired both the courage and willingness of individuals to withstand suffering and sacrifice.

Conquistadors who exhibited these traits were held in high esteem

Special religious ceremonies were held to try people during the Inquisition usually ending in the execution of the person charged. • usually burned at the

stake.

The Arts

Literature

Latin was the language used by theClergy and by Spanish scholars.

Castilian was made the official language when Ferdinand and Isabelle married. later known as Spanish Having one language united the country and

developed a sense of nationalism. Troubadours spread Spanish when they

traveled and performed for the common people and for the royalty. Told tales of love, bravery, romance, poetry &

quiet life of the country

Architecture and Sculpture Spanish architecture was

strongly influenced by Muslim culture

Many Spanish homes had beautiful mosaic decorations and inside courtyards modeled after Muslim buildings

The grandest structures in Spain were Churches and Mosques

The most talented sculptors lived in Catalonia and Aragon

Painting

Spanish artist absorbed influences from different cultures, traditions & religion

Spanish artists were greatly influenced by Flemish & Italians

Spanish art was comprised of beautiful murals & frescoes most often found on the walls of churhces

Ferrer Bassa was one of the first identifiable Spanish artists

Spanish art was influenced by Moors and the King and Queen were patrons of the arts

Measurement of Time

The Spanish used the Gregorian calendar system like today's that started in 46 BCE, and had 365 ¼ days in one year.

The problem was that the summer and winter solstices were planed to be on the 25th of their respected months. By the 1500’s they were on the 11th.

To fix this problem Pope Gregory XIII decreed that the day after Thurs. Oct. 4th 1582 Fri. Oct. 15th 1582