What Should History Say About What Should History Say About the Aztecs?the Aztecs?

Which “bucket” would you put Which “bucket” would you put this document in and why?this document in and why?

►Aztecs had a god.Aztecs had a god.► It seems from the document that the It seems from the document that the

god had power that should have been god had power that should have been respected even at the expense of respected even at the expense of others.others.

What should a historian What should a historian emphasize about Aztec emphasize about Aztec political life, according political life, according

to this document?to this document?

►Connection to religion-the power to Connection to religion-the power to rule is sacred.rule is sacred.

►Power is seen as conquest.Power is seen as conquest.►There was an idea of a unified Aztec There was an idea of a unified Aztec

nation.nation.►Human rights did not seem to be a Human rights did not seem to be a

priority.priority.

According to Document 2, According to Document 2, what did the Aztecs base what did the Aztecs base

their legitimacy , their right their legitimacy , their right to rule over others on?to rule over others on?A god told them that when they A god told them that when they found a cactus with a nesting found a cactus with a nesting eagle, there they should make eagle, there they should make

their home.their home.

Discussion Questions for Discussion Questions for Document 3Document 3

►Do people in a civilization have a right Do people in a civilization have a right to know both good and bad to know both good and bad information about their homeland?information about their homeland?

►Are there any circumstances in which Are there any circumstances in which lying or bending the truth might be lying or bending the truth might be acceptable in political practice?acceptable in political practice?

Paraphrase the what the poem Paraphrase the what the poem says…says…

►The lords of Mexico told Itzcoatl to The lords of Mexico told Itzcoatl to burn early accounts of Aztec history burn early accounts of Aztec history because it was not fitting that the because it was not fitting that the people should know about them. If people should know about them. If people knew about these pictures, people knew about these pictures, they would be lost.they would be lost.

► If this document destruction is true (in If this document destruction is true (in modern times, book burning, shredding), modern times, book burning, shredding), what does it say about the character of what does it say about the character of Aztec society?Aztec society?

►How much damage does this do to the How much damage does this do to the students’ opinion of the Aztecs?students’ opinion of the Aztecs?

► Is it a significant stain on Aztec history?Is it a significant stain on Aztec history?►Should it be remembered?Should it be remembered?