Chapter 8: For the Good of the People Unit 2: Worldviews in Conflict - Part 2

Signs of Status 3 ways to identify position in society: 3 ways to identify position in society: 1.Clothing 2.Jewellery 3.Size/location of home Only nobles could wear cotton and live in second storey homes. Only nobles could wear cotton and live in second storey homes.

Moving Up In Society Moved by achieving success on battlefield Moved by achieving success on battlefield Killing was discouraged Killing was discouraged Capture was encouraged (for sacrifice) Capture was encouraged (for sacrifice) Capturing 4 enemies was leveling up Capturing 4 enemies was leveling up

Aztec Education Educated at home until 10 Educated at home until 10 Children pampered until 3 Children pampered until 3 3+ had to be hardworking, obedient 3+ had to be hardworking, obedient Harshly punished if not Harshly punished if not Goal was to have “a stone heart and a stone face” Goal was to have “a stone heart and a stone face”

Aztec Education Valued in society Valued in society Free and mandatory Free and mandatory Two types Two types Calmecac (for nobles) Calmecac (for nobles) Telpochcalli (for commoners) Telpochcalli (for commoners)

School for Nobles What They StudiedWhat They Trained to Be Astronomy/Astrolog y Generals in Army MathJudges ReadingPriests WritingScribes MusicHigh Officials LawDiplomats CalendarTeachers Calmecac located where nobles lived Calmecac located where nobles lived Attached to temple Attached to temple Studied codices to learn about society Studied codices to learn about society Religion important Religion important

Reading, Writing, Counting Reading and writing using pictures (glyphs) Reading and writing using pictures (glyphs) Only nobles learned to read and write Only nobles learned to read and write Commoners > spoken instruction Commoners > spoken instruction Counting based on 20 (10 fingers and 10 toes) Counting based on 20 (10 fingers and 10 toes)

Military Training All boys trained as warriors All boys trained as warriors Job-shadowed soldiers Job-shadowed soldiers Became warriors at 15 Became warriors at 15

Education for Commoners Called Telpochcalli Called Telpochcalli All instruction was spoken (memorization) All instruction was spoken (memorization) Lessons in history, religion, and citizenship Lessons in history, religion, and citizenship Learned music and dance Learned music and dance Boys > hard physical labor (digging, lifting) Boys > hard physical labor (digging, lifting) Parents taught at home Parents taught at home

Educating Aztec Women Had little political power Had little political power Important for girls to get good education Important for girls to get good education All girls attended school All girls attended school At 16, got married At 16, got married Became doctors in army Became doctors in army Matchmakers, priestesses, and midwives Matchmakers, priestesses, and midwives

Contributing to Society Society was focused on producing citizens who would contribute to community Part of education “Console poor, afflicted. Do not mock the old, sick, maimed, or those who sinned. Do not set bad example, or speak indiscreetly, or interrupt speech of another.”

Contributing to Society 5 Virtues of an Ideal Aztec Citizen (page 187): 1. 1.Courage 2. 2.Self-sacrifice 3. 3.Modesty 4. 4.Clean Living 5. 5.Obedience

Laws and Lawmaking Written laws Legal system used to maintain order Reminded people of their responsibilities EVERYONE obeyed laws Law harsher for nobles Had to set example Lesser crimes: fined or slavery Major crimes: death

Slave Laws Slaves were necessary Laws to protect slaves If noble killed slave > noble executed If slave could escape and run (1.5km) to emperor they won freedom Not shameful, just bad luck Not permanent – just punishment Kept all their land and their own slaves Itzcoatl – emperor born of a slave women

Cheat Sheet Compare Aztecs to Canadians Compare Aztecs to Canadians Slaves Slaves Compare Medieval to Aztecs Compare Medieval to Aztecs Main goal of education Main goal of education Funding of public works Funding of public works Nobles Nobles Citizenship Citizenship Social Structure Social Structure