Discussion # 8, 4.1: Aztec/Inca Subjects

Topic:

The Americas had been populated by humans for millennia, perhaps as far back as 40,000 years. Sophisticated societies had risen and fallen over that time span, and by the time that Columbus set foot in the Caribbean, there remained two great political empires: the Aztecs in central Mexico, and the Inca Empire that straddled the Andes Mountains of South America. They were both heirs to thousands of years’ worth of accumulated knowledge and their cultures reflected the great achievements of their predecessors. Both possessed complex social, political, religious, and economic structures and ruled over millions of people. But empires are usually born of violence and brutality and they sow anger and resentment among those that are conquered or absorbed into the polity. Such was the case with both of these empires, and when the Spanish arrived, they provided an ideal partner for those that sought to throw off the yoke of Aztec and Inca domination.

The Spanish monarchy did not send thousands of soldiers to traverse the space of oceans and mountains to conquer the Americas. The conquest was realized by adventurers who found that the drudgery of an encomendero’s life in the Caribbean was insufficient to satisfy their hunger for gold and glory. Yet the victory over the Aztec and Inca Empires was not simply the result of an individual’s sheer will or the audacity of Spanish adventurers, rather it was the complex combination of technology, disease, and the tens of thousands of allies who willingly swelled the ranks of the Spanish contingent. Hernando Cortés arrived in the Aztec capital with only 600 Spaniards, but he also bore Spanish steel and gunpowder, smallpox, and thousands of natives who were either disgruntled subjects or enemies of the Aztecs. This proved to be a lethal combination that toppled the Aztec hegemony by 1521. Francisco Pizarro, using similar ploys and taking advantage of a civil war, subjugated the Andean empire of the Incas so that by 1535 Spain dominated the new order that arose in the Americas.

Directions:

Read your textbook and notes, do some careful research, and watch all videos. This involves some role playing: Pretend you are an elder in a native community and you are tired of being oppressed by the imperial power (Aztecs or Inca) and you believe the Spanish are powerful, though few, and that they give you the best chance to revolt and overthrow the imperial rulers. Convince your local warriors and other elders to join the Spanish. State why it is time to revolt and what your community has to gain from this action. How can the Spanish help? How can your people make a difference?

This post should be your own words and there is no right or wrong answer. Your points will be based on completion of the assignment (based on the rubric) and whether you use support from the readings, lecture, or internet. 5 points total, 3 for your initial post and 2 for replying to someone's post. Your post should be about a paragraph long and your reply to someone's post should be a paragraph as well.

I recommend that you create your initial post by Dec 9 at 11:59 pm so that others may have an opportunity to reply.

You must also contribute a Response to 1 classmate's post: Read another student's post and pretend you are a different elder and you have heard the call to revolt. You do NOT believe it would be wise to revolt, especially to rely help from foreigners like the Spanish. 

Posts can have more than one reply. Follow the netiquette guidelines below and use evidence to support or disagree with the original post. This is not a place for insults or arguments so use proper language such as "I understand your concerns, but..."

Your Response is due by Dec 11, at 11:59 pm. 

• There is no option to turn this assignment in late.
• Click on the reply button, below to get started.

Purpose:

To evaluate student's critical analysis of historical events.

Rubric:

To view the rubric attached to this discussion, click on the gear box in the upper right and select Show Rubric. 

Netiquette:

• Be kind and respectful to others
• Use full sentences
• Avoid jargon and acronyms
• Use language that supports others