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36 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
where is mesoamerica?
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the middle day mexico to central america
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what are the physical features of the interior of Mesoamerica?
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plateau, volcanos, valleys, deserts, rugged mountains, gulf peninsula, highline
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What crops are grown in Mesoamerica?
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maze (corn), squash and beans
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Why are cenotes important?
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they gave drinking water
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How did the landscape of Mesoamerica influence the people who lived there?
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many people flourished in rugged, varied environments of Mesoamerica. The difference in the landscapes helped people develop unique cultures
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How were the Olmec people divided into social classes?
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based on their power and wealth
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The most powerful classes in the Olmec civilization were...
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priests and government officials
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The Olmec are called the mother civilization of Mesoamerica because..
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the Olmec directly influenced all of the mesoamerica civilization
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How were the Maya different from the Olmec?
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Maya civilization reached four peaks about CE 250, writing system more complex, more land
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Define cenotes
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natural wells
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Why might the Olmec have been ancestors of the Maya?
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the two civilizations have many things in common
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Why did Maya use calendars?
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to record birth dates, marriages and military victories of their leaders, to honor their Gods
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What did the Aztecs call themselves?
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Mexica
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Name the location of Tenochtitlan
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on two islands in Lake Texcoco
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How was Tenochtitlan expanded when it became overcrowded?
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the mexica built islands called Chinampas
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The Mexica formed alliances to help their power grow. What does this mean?
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means that they worked out an agreement to work with other city/states
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Why didn't the Moctezuma II fight the advance of Cortes?
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he may have believed that Cortes was a legendary God
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If Cortes had not attacked the Aztec Empire, why might it have continued?
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they were enjoying the period of wealth and power
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Mesoamerica
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extends from about the present day Mexico to the central part of Central America
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Sierra Madre Occidental/ Sierra Madre Oriental
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the two main mountain ranges that surround the border of the plateau of Mexico
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Plateau of Mexico
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a plateau is a high, flat area which lies around the central plateau
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Gulf of Mexico
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a part of the Atlantic Ocean
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Yucatan Peninsula
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forms the southeastern border of Mexico
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Peninsula
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an arm of land sticking into the sea so that it is nearly surrounded by water
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Centotes
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a natural wells on the Yucatan Peninsula
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Chichen Itza
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served as the only source of water in the region
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theocracy
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a system of government in which the rulers are believed to represent the will of Gods
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aqueducts
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structures that carry flowing water
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codex
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a folding screen book containing information about predicting the future and religious rituals
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Moctezuma I
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ruled the empire from 1440 to 1469
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Moctezuma II
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emperor after Moctezuma I
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Hernando Cortes
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marched into Tenochtitlan
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mercenary
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hired soldiers
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chinampas
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man-made land
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causeway
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raised bridge made of land
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alliances
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agreements to work with other city states
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