Mesoamerica Unit 1

What caused the end of the Mexica Empire?

• Disease killed some of the population

• Spanish soldiers (under Cortez) captured their capital city

• Loss of crops led to starvation

• The Incas invaded their land

Answer explanation

The end of the Mexica Empire was caused by the Spanish soldiers, led by Hernán Cortés, who captured their capital city, Tenochtitlan. This conquest marked the fall of the Aztec civilization and the beginning of Spanish colonization in the region. Although factors like disease and resource scarcity played a role in weakening the empire, it was ultimately the Spanish invasion that led to its collapse.

Which country would you visit if you wanted to see the Inca ruins?

• Mexico

• Peru

• Costa Rica

• Brazil

Answer explanation

If you want to see the Inca ruins, you should visit Peru. The Inca civilization was primarily based in this country, and it is home to many famous Inca sites, including Machu Picchu, one of the most well-known and iconic archaeological sites in the world. The other options, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil, do not have Inca ruins as they were not part of the Inca Empire.

Which country would you visit if you wanted to see the Mexica ruins?

• Peru

• Chile

• Guatemala

• Mexico

Answer explanation

To see the Mexica ruins, you should visit Mexico. The Mexica, also known as the Aztecs, were a Mesoamerican culture that thrived in the central region of Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century. Their capital, Tenochtitlan, is now Mexico City. Mexico is home to many well-preserved Mexica ruins, such as the Templo Mayor and the archaeological site of Teotihuacan.

Why did the Mexica sacrifice human beings?

• To scare neighboring tribes

• To punish people who had fought against the Aztecs

• To appease their gods

• To prevent explosive population growth

Answer explanation

The Mexica, also known as the Aztecs, practiced human sacrifice as a way to appease their gods. They believed that offering human lives would ensure the gods' favor and maintain the balance of the universe. This ritual was not meant to scare neighboring tribes, punish people, or control population growth, but rather to fulfill their religious beliefs and maintain harmony with the divine.

Which civilization was more warlike?

• Incas

• Aztecs

Answer explanation

The Aztecs were more warlike than the Incas. The Aztec civilization was known for its aggressive expansion and conquests, while the Inca Empire focused more on diplomacy and integration. The Aztecs also practiced human sacrifice as part of their religious rituals, which further emphasizes their warlike nature.

Which civilization lived in the Andes?

• Incas

• Aztecs

Answer explanation

The Incas were the civilization that lived in the Andes mountain range, which stretches across the western coast of South America. They built a vast empire that extended from modern-day Colombia to Chile, and their capital was Cusco, in present-day Peru. The Aztecs, on the other hand, were based in the Valley of Mexico and established their capital at Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City. Therefore, the correct choice is the Incas.

Which civilization was polytheistic?

• Incas

• Aztecs

• Both

Answer explanation

Both the Incas and the Aztecs were polytheistic civilizations, meaning they believed in and worshipped multiple gods. The Incas had a pantheon of gods related to nature, while the Aztecs had a complex system of gods representing various aspects of life and the natural world. Therefore, both civilizations practiced polytheism.

The _________________________ relied on roads and irrigation and ruled what is today Peru before Europeans arrived.

• Mayas

• Incas

• Aztecs

• Olmecs

Answer explanation

The Incas relied on roads and irrigation systems to manage their vast empire, which spanned across present-day Peru before the arrival of Europeans. They were known for their advanced engineering and agricultural techniques, which allowed them to thrive in the challenging Andean environment. The other options, Mayas, Aztecs, and Olmecs, were also pre-Columbian civilizations, but they did not rule over the area that is now Peru.

The Incas built roads through the _________________________ and occupied Peru at the time the Spanish arrived in the 1500s.

• Andes Mountains

• Appalachian Mountains

• Rocky Mountains

• Stone Mountain

Answer explanation

The Incas built an extensive road system through the Andes Mountains, which span across several countries, including Peru. When the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, the Incas were occupying this region. The other options, such as the Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains, and Stone Mountain, are not related to the Incas or their road system.

Brutal attacks by the Spanish _________________________ and the spread of disease led to the fall of the Aztecs and Incas.

• government

• king

• conquistadors

• bullfighters

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'conquistadors'. The brutal attacks by the Spanish conquistadors, led by figures like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, combined with the spread of diseases like smallpox, contributed to the fall of the Aztec and Inca empires. The other options, such as government, king, and bullfighters, do not accurately describe the group responsible for these attacks.