History

TOPIC 6: Spanish Conquest of the Americas - Aztec Society 

Rationale: Toward the end of the 15th Century, a period of discovery and exploration began in Europe. In 1942, explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the island that we now know as the Bahamas. This marked the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Americas.
Driven by desire for wealth, power and territories, countries such as Spain sent explorers known as conquistadors (conquerors) in search of new lands and trade routes. When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, there were two dominant empires, the Aztec Empire and the Inca Empire. Despite their advanced societies and culture, the Spanish saw these as indigenous and primitive. 

This topic will explore the complexity of the Aztec Society, including geographical features, religious beliefs and practices, daily life, systems of government, warfare by examining what is revealed through sources and inquiry. The topic will examine the interactions between the Spanish and Aztec Empire and the impacts of this.