Standard Indicators
The Causes of Defeat
Purpose
Students will examine the causes and outcomes of the defeat of the
Aztec and Incan empires by the Spanish; and analyze cause-and-effect
relationships, keeping in mind multiple causation, including the
importance of individuals, ideas, human interests, beliefs, and chance
in history.
Materials
For the teacher: chalk, chalkboard
For each student: copy of Black Line Master (BLM) Cause and Effect,
pencil, access to a variety of information resources
incorporating
TECHNOLOGY
Have students develop
a computer-based slide
show that displays the
chronology of the Aztec
and Incan decline.
Activity
A. Pre-Activity Discussion
1. Review with students what they know about the Aztec and Incan
civilizations.
2. Remind students that both early civilizations were well
established and had many modern systems, including a system
of taxation and a militia.
3. Explain that both empires were overwhelmed by invaders, due
to several factors such as inferior weapons, religious conflict,
and lack of immunity to European diseases.
4. Explain that religious beliefs, particularly of the Aztecs, caused
leaders to believe the Spanish invaders were actually gods
in human form.
5. Tell students that after Spain conquered these two large empires,
the rest of Mexico and South America was more easily conquered.
6. Give a brief overview of the other colonial projects happening
during this time, such as the Portuguese in western South
America and the French, British, and Dutch in North America.
meeting
individual
NEEDS
Have students who
need more practice
understanding the
concept of multiple
causation create causeand-effect charts for
other historical events,
including the American
Revolution, King
Philip’s War, and the
Boston Massacre.
B. Cause and Effect
1. Remind students that there are often many reasons for a certain
historical event. Ask students to brainstorm historical events that
had more than one cause. Write students’ suggestions on the
chalkboard, and draw arrows between causes and events.
(continued)
Standards Links
6.1.13, 6.1.16
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 9
Indiana Social Studies Grade 6 Standards Resource, February 2003
page 67
Standard 1
6.1.14, 6.1.19
Activity (continued)
Standard 1
2. Tell students that it is sometimes helpful to make a causeand-effect chart to see how multiple causes contribute to
a single event.
3. Pass out a copy of the BLM Cause and Effect to each student
and review the instructions.
4. Explain that students must do their own research and consult
resources such as encyclopedias or the Internet to complete
the assignment.
5. When students have finished, review the answers in class
and discuss any questions that have been raised.
Questions for Review
Basic Concepts and Processes
After students have finished their BLMs, ask them questions such as:
Why did the Spanish want to control these areas of land?
What were some advantages that the Aztecs and Incas
had over the Spanish?
Why didn’t they capitalize on these advantages?
What kind of causes led to the downfall of these empires?
Could only one of these reasons alone have caused
the downfall?
If the Spanish had tried to conquer the Aztecs and Incas at a
different time in history, would the outcome have been the same?
page 68
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 9
Indiana Social Studies Grade 6 Standards Resource, February 2003
Name:
Cause and Effect
Directions: Based on your research about the decline of the Aztecs and Incas,
fill in the missing causes and effects in the spaces below.
Cause
Effect
The Aztecs and Incas had no previous
exposure to European disease.
The Aztecs and Incas had no gun powder.
Cortés resembled the description of an Aztec god.
The Spanish were able to easily tax
the people they conquered.
The Aztecs and Incas had no other tribe
to turn to for assistance.
The Spanish concentrated their resources
on Mexico and South America.
1. Which of the causes above led Spain to want to conquer Mexico and South America?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Which of the causes above led to the defeat of the Aztecs and Incas?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 9
Indiana Social Studies Grade 6 Standards Resource, February 2003
Black Line Master 1
page 69
Cause and Effect
Teacher Directions
Remind students that there are often many reasons for a certain historical event. Ask students
to brainstorm historical events that had more than one cause. Write students’ suggestions on
the chalkboard and draw arrows between causes and events. Tell students that it is sometimes
helpful to make a cause-and-effect chart to see how multiple causes contribute to a single event.
Pass out a copy of the BLM Cause and Effect to each student and review the instructions. Explain
that students must do their own research and consult resources such as encyclopedias or the
Internet to complete the assignment. When students have finished, review the answers in class
and discuss any questions that have been raised.
Answer Key
Cause
Effect
The Aztecs and Incas had no previous exposure
to European disease.
A high percentage of the native
population died from disease.
The Aztecs and Incas had no gun powder.
The Spanish were able to easily defeat
their Aztec and Inca counterparts in war.
Cortés resembled the description of an Aztec god.
Cortés was welcomed to the Aztéc capital.
The Aztecs and the Incas had elaborate
tribute systems.
The Spanish were able to easily tax the people
they conquered.
Previously conquered tribesmen were
unhappy with Aztec and Incan rule.
The Aztecs and Incas had no other tribe
to turn to for assistance.
Silver mines were discovered in Mexico
and South America.
The Spanish concentrated their resources
on Mexico and South America.
1. The ability to tax the regions and the discovery of silver led Spain to want to conquer
the Aztecs and Incas.
2. The following causes led to the decline of the Aztec and Incan empires: lack of immunity
to disease, inferior weapons, Cortés resembled an Aztec god, and conquered tribesmen
were unhappy with Aztec rule.
Black Line Master 1
page 70
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 9
Indiana Social Studies Grade 6 Standards Resource, February 2003