Question 1

Europeans were able to conquer the empires of the Americas relatively easily for all of the following reasons except (Global Perspective, pp. 336-337)

Accepted Answer

The rulers in the Americas did have advanced technology for their time, such as sophisticated agricultural systems and impressive architectural achievements, but they lacked the specific military technologies like guns and steel armor that Europeans possessed.

Question 2

The most prominent of the early Formative period cultures was that of the

Accepted Answer

The Olmecs are considered the most prominent culture of the early Formative period, known for their significant contributions to later Mesoamerican cultures, including monumental sculpture, complex societal structures, and possibly the earliest writing system in the Americas.

Question 3

Carved images found at Monte Alban in the Oaxaca valley suggest

Accepted Answer

The carved images at Monte Alban, known as "Danzantes," depict scenes of captives and possibly sacrificed individuals, suggesting that warfare and possibly ritual sacrifice were integral to establishing and maintaining Monte Alban's authority.

Question 4

The Maya were primarily located in the

Accepted Answer

The Maya civilization was primarily located in the Yucatan Peninsula, which is known for its rain forests. This area covers parts of what is now Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

Question 5

The Pyramid of the Sun is closely associated with which civilization?

Accepted Answer

The Pyramid of the Sun is one of the largest structures of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and is closely associated with the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacán, which is located in the Valley of Mexico.

Question 6

The name of modern-day Mexico comes from the term used by which of the following people to refer to themselves?

Accepted Answer

The name "Mexico" originates from the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs, specifically from the word "Mexica," which is what the Aztec people called themselves.

Question 7

The capitol of the Aztec Empire was

Accepted Answer

Tenochtitlán was the capital of the Aztec Empire. It was founded in 1325 and became the center of one of the most powerful Mesoamerican empires until its fall to the Spanish in 1521.

Question 8

Which statement is most accurate about how urban life in the Classic period of Mesoamerica compared with that of Europe north of the Alps during the same period?

Accepted Answer

Classic urban life in Mesoamerica was indeed richer and on a larger scale compared to Europe north of the Alps during the same period. Mesoamerican cities like Teotihuacan and Tikal were large and complex, with significant architectural, cultural, and economic developments that were not paralleled in Europe until much later.

Question 9

After a conquest, the Aztecs

Accepted Answer

The Aztecs often left the local elite in power and ruled indirectly after a conquest, integrating the conquered peoples into their empire while allowing them some degree of autonomy.

Question 10

A central feature of Aztec religion and political ideology was the belief in

Accepted Answer

Human sacrifice was a central element of Aztec religion and political ideology, believed to appease the gods and ensure the continuity of the world and the fertility of the earth.

Question 11

Many peoples subject to the Aztecs were willing to support Cortés because of

Accepted Answer

The Aztecs imposed heavy burdens on their subject peoples, including demands for tribute and human sacrifices for their religious practices. These practices generated resentment and made many subject peoples willing to support Cortés in the hope of overthrowing Aztec rule.

Question 12

All of the following were early Andean cultures except

Accepted Answer

Oaxaca is not an Andean culture; it is located in Mexico, whereas the Andean cultures developed in South America, particularly in the area of the modern countries of Peru and Bolivia.

Question 13

How did the development of civilization in Mesoamerica differ from the development of Andean civilizations? What were some of the advantages and disadvantages of the geographical settings? Refer specifically to the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations.
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did the development of civilization in...

Question 14

Discuss the importance of the Mesoamerican calendar. How did it work, why was it important, and what does this say about Mesoamerican civilization? How does it compare with the Long Count of the Maya?
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the importance of the Mesoamerican calendar....

Question 15

Why did Teotihuacán rise to power around 500 C.E.? Discuss Teotihuacán's influence throughout Mesoamerica and refer specifically to their art and religious contributions.
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why did Teotihuacán rise to power around...

Question 16

Discuss the importance of the Maya culture and its influence in southern Mesoamerica. What was life like in such Maya centers as Tikal and Chichén Itzá? What were the greatest contributions of the Maya?
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the importance of the Maya culture...

Question 17

Who were the Toltecs and in what specific ways did their culture influence the Aztecs?
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of Who were the Toltecs and in what...

Question 18

The text notes that the Aztecs had an "extractive empire." What does this mean? How did the organization of the Aztec Empire and the treatment of subject peoples differ from that of the Incas?
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of The text notes that the Aztecs had...

Question 19

Discuss the Andean civilizations of Tiwanaku, Huari, and Chimu. What were some of the problems posed by their geographical setting? How was the Inca Empire administered? What was the system known as the mita?
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the Andean civilizations of Tiwanaku, Huari,...

Question 20

Both the Aztec and Inca empires fell in the early sixteenth century when confronted with Spanish forces of a few hundred men. What were the primary reasons for their defeat? Do you think that their defeat was inevitable? Why or why not?
Conceptual

Accepted Answer

The answer of Both the Aztec and Inca empires fell...

Quiz 14: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

Europeans were able to conquer the empires of the Americas relatively easily for all of the following reasons except (Global Perspective, pp. 336-337)

The most prominent of the early Formative period cultures was that of the

Carved images found at Monte Alban in the Oaxaca valley suggest

The Maya were primarily located in the

The Pyramid of the Sun is closely associated with which civilization?

The name of modern-day Mexico comes from the term used by which of the following people to refer to themselves?

The capitol of the Aztec Empire was

Which statement is most accurate about how urban life in the Classic period of Mesoamerica compared with that of Europe north of the Alps during the same period?

After a conquest, the Aztecs

A central feature of Aztec religion and political ideology was the belief in

Many peoples subject to the Aztecs were willing to support Cortés because of

All of the following were early Andean cultures except

How did the development of civilization in Mesoamerica differ from the development of Andean civilizations? What were some of the advantages and disadvantages of the geographical settings? Refer specifically to the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Conceptual

Discuss the importance of the Mesoamerican calendar. How did it work, why was it important, and what does this say about Mesoamerican civilization? How does it compare with the Long Count of the Maya? Conceptual

Why did Teotihuacán rise to power around 500 C.E.? Discuss Teotihuacán's influence throughout Mesoamerica and refer specifically to their art and religious contributions. Conceptual

Discuss the importance of the Maya culture and its influence in southern Mesoamerica. What was life like in such Maya centers as Tikal and Chichén Itzá? What were the greatest contributions of the Maya? Conceptual

Who were the Toltecs and in what specific ways did their culture influence the Aztecs? Conceptual

The text notes that the Aztecs had an "extractive empire." What does this mean? How did the organization of the Aztec Empire and the treatment of subject peoples differ from that of the Incas? Conceptual

Discuss the Andean civilizations of Tiwanaku, Huari, and Chimu. What were some of the problems posed by their geographical setting? How was the Inca Empire administered? What was the system known as the mita? Conceptual

Both the Aztec and Inca empires fell in the early sixteenth century when confronted with Spanish forces of a few hundred men. What were the primary reasons for their defeat? Do you think that their defeat was inevitable? Why or why not? Conceptual