Mesoamerican History

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Mesoamerica

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The area between central Mexico and Honduras, where several of the ancient societies of the Americas lived.

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codex

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A Maya folding book written using a picture-based writing system called “glyphs.”

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conquistador

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A person who conquers (or takes over) a place. This term is typically used for Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru.

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Montezuma II

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A leader of the Aztec Empire. He was in charge when the Aztec Empire began to weaken.

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The Columbian Exchange

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The transfer of things between Europe and the Americas, including plants, animals, people, ideas, and even diseases.

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Hernán Cortés

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A Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztec Empire.

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Malinalli (La Malinche)

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An enslaved Aztec woman who was an interpreter for Hernán Cortés, some consider her a traitor to her people.

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Atahualpa

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The last Inca emperor.

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Francisco Pizarro

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The conquistador who defeated the Inca empire and executed their emperor.