ANCIENT BEGINNINGS
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Ancient civilizations
From the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs and Mayans to the colonial era and the fight for independence, Mexico's history is filled with stories of resilience, innovation, and cultural fusion. The contributions of Mexican history to the Americas are vast and varied, influencing everything from art and architecture to politics and social movements.
By exploring the importance of Mexican history, we gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical connections that bind the Americas together. Join us on this journey through time as we uncover the pivotal moments and enduring legacies that continue to shape our world today.
What we Were!!!
The Aztecs and Mayans were two of the most advanced civilizations in Mesoamerica, each with their own remarkable accomplishments.
Aztecs:
- Agriculture: The Aztecs developed innovative agricultural techniques, such as chinampas (floating gardens), which allowed them to grow crops on the shallow lake beds in the Valley of Mexico.
- Architecture: They built impressive structures, including the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, which was the center of their religious life.
- Mathematics: The Aztecs had a sophisticated number system and used it for various purposes, including trade and astronomy.
- Military Prowess: The Aztecs were known for their military strength and strategic alliances, which helped them expand their empire.
Mayans:
- Astronomy: The Mayans had an advanced understanding of astronomy and developed complex calendar systems, including the Calendar Round and the Long Count.
- Agriculture: They figured out how to grow crops like corn, beans, squash, and cassava in challenging environments.
- Engineering: The Mayans built elaborate cities without modern machinery, showcasing their engineering skills.
- Written Language: The Mayans developed one of the world's first written languages, made up of about 800 glyphs.
These accomplishments highlight the ingenuity and resilience of the Aztecs and Mayans, and their contributions continue to influence modern society.
Arrivals of the spaniards
The arrival of the Spaniards marked a significant turning point for the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, leading to their eventual demise.
Aztecs: The fall of the Aztec Empire began with the arrival of Hernán Cortés in 1519. Cortés and his men, equipped with advanced weaponry and aided by local allies who were discontented with Aztec rule, managed to capture the Aztec emperor Montezuma III. The Spaniards' superior military technology, combined with the spread of diseases like smallpox, which devastated the indigenous population, led to the collapse of the Aztec resistance. After a prolonged siege, the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan fell in 1521, marking the end of the Aztec Empire.
Mayans: The Spanish conquest of the Maya was a more protracted conflict. Unlike the Aztecs, the Mayans were not unified under a single empire but were organized into various city-states. This made the Spanish conquest more complex and drawn out. The Spaniards gradually incorporated the territory of the Late Postclassic Maya states into the colonial Viceroyalty of New Spain. The last Maya city, Nojpetén, fell to the Spanish in 1697. The combination of military conquest, disease, and the disruption of their social and economic systems led to the decline of the Mayan civilization.
The Spaniards' arrival brought about significant changes, including the introduction of European diseases, military conquest, and the imposition of colonial rule, which ultimately led to the downfall of these once-great civilizations.
Religion, the tool to Conquer & Control
The Aztec and Mayan religions were rich and complex belief systems that played central roles in their respective societies.
Aztec Religion: The Aztec religion was polytheistic, meaning they believed in multiple gods and goddesses. Some of the most important deities included Huitzilopochtli, the god of sun and war, and Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god. The Aztecs believed in a cyclical view of time, with the universe being destroyed and recreated in a series of cycles. Human sacrifice was a significant aspect of Aztec religious practices, as they believed it was necessary to appease the gods and ensure the continuation of the world. The Aztecs also had a complex cosmology, dividing the universe into three realms: the heavens, the earth, and the underworld.
Mayan Religion: The Mayan religion was also polytheistic, featuring a pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Itzamna, the god of creation, and Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. The Mayans had a more linear view of time and believed in a final apocalypse. Bloodletting rituals were an essential part of Mayan religious practices, as they believed it was a way to communicate with the gods and maintain balance in the world. The Mayans also had a complex cosmology, with the universe divided into multiple layers and levels, connected by a cosmic tree that served as a bridge between the earthly and divine worlds.
Both the Aztec and Mayan religions placed a strong emphasis on the importance of rituals and ceremonies in maintaining social order and ensuring the prosperity of their civilizations.
The Catholic religion played a significant role in the Spanish conquest and colonization of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. The Spaniards used religion as a tool to strip these indigenous peoples of their cultural identities and establish control over them. This was never their own religion or belief systems.
Aztecs: The Spaniards, led by Hernán Cortés, arrived in the Aztec Empire in 1519. They quickly realized that converting the Aztecs to Catholicism would be a powerful way to undermine their existing social and religious structures. The Spaniards destroyed Aztec temples and idols, replacing them with Catholic churches and symbols. They forced the Aztecs to abandon their traditional religious practices and adopt Catholic rituals. This religious conversion was often violent and coercive, with many Aztecs being baptized under duress. By imposing Catholicism, the Spaniards aimed to erase the Aztec cultural identity and replace it with a Spanish one, making it easier to control and govern the population.
Mayans: The Spanish conquest of the Maya was a more prolonged and complex process. The Spaniards used similar tactics to those employed against the Aztecs, destroying Mayan religious sites and replacing them with Catholic churches. They also targeted Mayan religious leaders, who were seen as key figures in maintaining the traditional social order. By converting the Mayans to Catholicism, the Spaniards sought to dismantle the existing power structures and integrate the Mayans into the Spanish colonial system. The introduction of Catholicism also served to justify the Spanish conquest, as the Spaniards believed they were saving the souls of the indigenous people by converting them to Christianity.
The imposition of Catholicism was a crucial aspect of the Spanish strategy to dominate the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. It allowed the Spaniards to weaken the indigenous cultures, establish their own authority, and legitimize their colonial rule.