Download Hola Estudiantes!!! This assignment will give you

Hola Estudiantes!!! This assignment will give you some background information on the legend of the Mexican flag. As we discussed in class, you will be reading a story in Spanish about this Aztec legend, and having some background information will help you be successful when you figure out the simple story in Spanish. 1)First, click on the link below to watch a video about the Mexican flag that tells why the picture on the flag is important to Mexican people. (You may watch it as often as you like:) http://safeshare.tv/w/89819193 2) Next, read this article about the city of Tenochtitlan and answer the 5 questions on the next page. (This is homework that you need to turn in to Señora.) Tenochtitlan was the capital city and center of the Aztec Empire in what we now call the country of Mexico. The city was started in the year 1325 and was the capital until the Aztecs were taken over by the Spanish invaders in 1520. Where was Tenochtitlan located? Tenochtitlan was located on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco in south central Mexico. At first, it wasn't a great place to start a city, but soon the Aztecs built up islands in the lake where they could grow crops. The water also worked as a natural defense against attacks from other tribes. Map of Tenochtitlan Click picture for larger view Why did the Aztecs settle on a swampy island? The Aztecs were forced out of their old home in northern Mexico, and they needed a new place to stay. The LEGEND SAYS that The priest-leader, Tenoch, had a dream about a sign (señal) from a god named Huitzilopochtli (Weetz­ee­loh­POSHT­lee) . Huitzilopochtli told Tenoch that the Aztecs should build their city where they saw an eagle holding a snake while standing on a cactus. They saw this sign (señal) on a marshy island in the lake Texcoco and began to build a new town on the spot. Causeways** and Canals (**A Causeway is raised road to go across wet grass or water.) Aztecs built causeways and canals for transportation to and from the city. A causeway is a raised road that allowed the people to easily travel over the swampy and wet areas. There were three major causeways that led from the island city to the mainland. There were also bridges built into the causeways that allowed small boats and canoes to travel under them. These bridges could be removed when the city was being attacked. The Aztecs also built many canals throughout the city, (kind of like the city of Venice, in Italy). The canals acted like water roads that allowed people to easily travel around the large city in boats. The city was well planned and laid out in a grid that made traveling around the city easy. City Center At the center of the city there was a large area where many of the public activities took place. The temples to the Aztec gods were built here as well as a court where they played a ballgame called Ullama. The largest temple was a pyramid called the Templo Mayor. It was the tallest building in the city in order to be closest to the gods. Other buildings in the city center included the priests' apartments, and schools. Marketplace (El Mercado) There were markets throughout the city where people would trade goods and food. There was one main marketplace where up to 40,000 people would visit during feast days to buy goods and food for celebrations. Is it still there today? Most of the Tenochtitlan's buildings were destroyed by the Spanish and Hernan Cortes. Today, the capital of Mexico, Mexico City, is built right on top of the ancient city. Archeologists have uncovered the ruins of Tenochtitlan near the center of Mexico City. Adapted from the article cited below: Nelson, Ken. " Aztec Empire for Kids: Tenochtitlan ." Ducksters . Technological Solutions, Inc. (TSI), Apr. 2016. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. < http://www.ducksters.com/history/aztec_empire/tenochtitlan.php >. MEXICO CITY Please answer the questions on the next page. This will be collected and turned into Señora Samman. 1) What is the name of the ancient Aztec city built in a swampy lake? _________________________________________________________________________________ 2) The Aztec people were looking for a new place to build their home. What is the name of the priest leader that had a dream about the new city? _________________________________________________________________________________ 3) Who came to Tenoch in the dream and told him where to build the new city? Was it a jaguar, the wind, or a god? _________________________________________________________________________________ 4) From the reading, do you think Tenochtitlan was a very advanced city for its time? Finish one of the sentences in the box to share your opinion. Give at least 2 reasons f rom the reading to support (give evidence) for your thinking. I think Tenochtitlan WAS advanced because…. OR I think Tenochtitlan WAS NOT advanced because….. 5) What kind of animal is in the center of the Aztec flag? Why is this animal on the flag? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ This is a cool video to watch for fun that helps you understand how steep and tall the ancient pyramids in Mexico are. http://safeshare.tv/w/ss5721776c263d2