Ten Vocabulary Words To Select As You Read The Text ✓ Solved

Ten Vocabulary words. As you read the text above select 10

Your assignment includes two parts. In Part A, you are to select a minimum of ten vocabulary words from the provided text. These words should either be new to you or used in a manner that is unfamiliar. For each word, provide a definition that fits its usage in context. Look up the definitions in an academic dictionary, such as Oxford or Merriam-Webster's New Collegiate, and then rephrase the definition in your own words.

In Part B, answer the following questions without retyping them: 1. Before Caucasians arrived in the western hemisphere, who were the inhabitants of North and South America, and where did they come from? 2. Describe the marketplace in Motecsuma's city, including its size and organization. 3. Explain the reason Aztec servants placed a screen in front of Motecsuma while he ate. 4. Describe the products available in this marketplace. 5. Discuss the weapons of the Aztec people, their materials, and different uses. 6. Explain the skills and crafts of the Aztec artisans. 7. Describe Aztec metallurgy. 8. Was there any evidence of wheels, chariots, or wagons? Provide reasoning for their absence. 9. Was there any evidence of draft animal use such as plough horses or oxen? Why not? 10. Did Diaz provide signs of cavalry or war elephants? 11. Did Diaz mention ships, excluding canoes? 12. Describe the Aztec exchange system and whether Diaz describes money being used. 13. How did Aztec merchants resolve disputes? Did they have a court system? 14. What is Diaz’s opinion on Aztec architecture? 15. Describe what it means to say the Market represents the largest architectural expression of the Aztecs regarding their civilization's priorities. 16. Describe the Cue and its function. 17. Discuss how Aztec religion and business may have overlapped and influenced their civilization. 18. Speculate on why Diaz provided such detailed descriptions. 19. From an outsider's perspective, evaluate whether Aztec society, business, and religion was ‘healthy’. 20. Assess its success.

Paper For Above Instructions

Part A: Vocabulary Words

1. Inhabitants: Residents of a place, referring particularly to the original peoples living in North and South America before European colonization. In my own words, inhabitants are the people who live in a specific area.

2. Marketplace: A location where goods are bought and sold. In my own words, a marketplace is a place where merchants and customers engage in trade.

3. Servants: Individuals who perform duties for another person often in a household capacity. In my own words, servants are those employed to help with tasks and chores.

4. Products: Goods available for sale or trade. In my own words, products are items that can be bought or sold in a market.

5. Weapons: Tools designed for combat or defense. In my own words, weapons are implements used in fighting or protecting oneself.

6. Artisans: Skilled craftsmen who create goods by hand. In my own words, artisans are workers who make items using traditional techniques and skills.

7. Metallurgy: The science and technology of metals and their extraction, refining, and use. In my own words, metallurgy is how metals are processed and utilized for various purposes.

8. Evidence: Information or data that supports a claim or hypothesis. In my own words, evidence is proof that substantiates an argument or observation.

9. Disputes: Conflicts or disagreements between parties. In my own words, disputes are arguments or disagreements that require resolution.

10. Architecture: The art and science of designing buildings and structures. In my own words, architecture refers to the structured design of physical spaces.

Part B: Answers to Questions

1. Before the arrival of Caucasians, the inhabitants of North and South America included numerous indigenous groups such as the Aztecs, Mayans, and various North American tribes. These groups are believed to have descended from peoples migrating from Asia via the Bering Land Bridge over thousands of years.

2. The marketplace in Motecsuma's city was extensive and well-organized, spanning several acres. It featured a variety of stalls where merchants sold everything from food and textiles to luxury items, highlighting an advanced trading system.

3. Aztec servants placed a screen in front of Motecsuma during meals to ensure privacy and protect him from the prying eyes of his subjects, emphasizing his status as a ruler.

4. The products available in the Aztec marketplace included a diverse range of goods such as fruits, vegetables, pottery, textiles, jewelry, and even luxury items made from gold and precious stones.

5. The weapons of the Aztec were primarily made from obsidian, wood, and other materials. They used knives and spears in hand-to-hand combat and slings for ranged attacks, showcasing their sophistication in warfare.

6. Aztec artisans were skilled in pottery, weaving, goldsmithing, and other crafts, producing both functional and decorative items that illustrated the culture’s artistry and trade prowess.

7. Metallurgy among the Aztecs involved the manipulation of metals like gold, silver, and copper. They were skilled at both the extraction and crafting of these metals into intricate artifacts.

8. There is no archaeological evidence supporting the existence of wheels, chariots, or wagons among the Aztecs. Historians speculate that the lack of these technologies was due to the geographic and cultural context of their civilization.

9. Diaz’s accounts indicate no signs of draft animal usage like horses or oxen. It’s hypothesized that the terrain and the nature of Aztec agriculture did not necessitate their use.

10. Diaz does not mention any use of cavalry or war elephants in the Aztec military structure, indicating they primarily relied on infantry.

11. Ships beyond canoes are not noted in Diaz's documentation, suggesting limited maritime activity compared to the extensive river and lake transportation utilized by the Aztecs.

12. The Aztec exchange system was primarily based on bartering with goods rather than utilizing coins or standardized currency, illustrating a sophisticated trade environment focused on the value of items rather than currency.

13. Merchants resolved disagreements through a form of informal dispute resolution, as they did not have a formal court system; instead, they relied on community consensus to settle conflicts.

14. Diaz admired Aztec architecture, noting its grand scale and intricate designs, which reflected the civilization's values and capabilities in building monumental structures.

15. The prominence of the Market signifies that commerce was vital to Aztec society, revealing that their economic practices were highly prioritized within their civilization’s framework.

16. The Cue served as a community gathering point, facilitating trade and interaction, emphasizing the social aspect of commerce inherent in Aztec culture.

17. Aztec religion and business were interlinked, with religious rituals often accompanying trade activities, reflecting how spirituality influenced daily economic practices.

18. Diaz likely described experiences in detail to document and illustrate the civilization’s richness and complexities, which served both for historical record and his admiration of their culture.

19. Evaluating Aztec society from an outsider perspective, one might conclude that while their religious and business practices were structured, they may not align with modern definitions of health and well-being.

20. The Aztec civilization was largely successful, evident in their advanced agricultural techniques, economic systems, and architectural achievements demonstrating societal strength.

References

• Haas, J.N. (1996). The Aztecs: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Smith, M.E. (2003). The Aztecs. Blackwell Publishing.
• Diaz, B. (1963). The Conquest of New Spain. University of California Press.
• Anawalt, P.R. (1981). Trade and Market in the Aztec Empire. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society.
• Miller, M.E. (1986). The Art of Mesoamerica. Thames and Hudson.
• Sahagún, B. de (1950). The Florentine Codex. University of California Press.
• Rojas, C. (2001). Mexico: A History. Harrap's.
• Coe, M.D. (1994). America's First Civilizations. Thames and Hudson.
• McEwan, C. (1998). The Archaeology of the Aztecs. A&C Black.
• Tilley, C. (1994). A Phenomenology of Landscape: Places, Paths and Monuments. Berg.