The World and Its People, Florida Edition

"Mexico's History"

Introduction
In this chapter, you have read about the land and people of Mexico. Two important pre-Columbian civilizations developed in Mexico-the Aztec and the Maya. They both demonstrated advances in architecture, the arts, and science.

Destination Title: Ancient Mexico

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Directions
Start at the Ancient Mexico Web site.

• Click on the tab titled Map at the top of the screen, and then click on the label Tenochtitlan.
• Examine the map, and then scroll down and click on the heading Tenochtitlan. Read the information.
• Return to the main screen and click on the tab titled Documents.
• Click on and read A Letter from Cortés to the King of Spain.
• Use what you have learned to answer the following questions.

1			On what lake did the Aztecs build their capital of Tenochtitlan?
2			Why could Tenochtitlan be called a "new world Venice"?
3			What did the Aztec do when Cortés forbade them from sacrificing humans to their gods?
4			According to the document, what were meals like for Moctezuma?
5			On a separate piece of paper, draw a picture that might have accompanied this document to illustrate one of the scenes of Aztec life. You might draw a picture of Moctezuma, or one of his banquets, or his guards-anything depicting an interesting scene from the Aztec capital.