Human Sacrifices In The Aztec Culture

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Mexico and Latin America today are seen as a homogenous culture; however, the Aztec culture provides diversity. If the Spanish conquistadors did not demolish the native Aztec population, Mexico and its neighbors would not be considered to include homogenous cultures. The lasting effects of the Spanish conquest on the Aztec empire and modern Mexico are still being felt today. Manipulation through political acquaintance with Aztec leaders could prevent the conquest of Aztec lands and the destruction of the Aztec empire and culture. Although the Spanish conquest diminished the customary use of human sacrifices in religious rituals, the Spanish conquest allowed and reinforces the repression of the Aztec culture and native language, leading to the repression of indigenous cultures alike. The Spanish enforced following their own culture to …show more content…

Using human sacrifices was seen as “strictly ritualized process which gave the highest possible honor to the gods and was regarded as a necessity to ensure mankind’s continued prosperity. (Cartwright, Mark. "Aztec Sacrifice.")” To convince the Aztecs to avoid using human sacrifices, it must be done gradually and slowly. The Aztecs also used a non-fatal way of sacrifice that resulted in pieces of paper being drenched in blood then being burned. If the change in worship would change to that mainly for a bit, thousands wouldn’t sacrifice their lives, but they would still use a blood sacrifice. Gradually, the method of prayer rituals would be enforced under the understanding that there is a direct communication between those who are praying and the gods they are praying to. It would influence the Aztecs to use mainly verbal rituals, reducing the amount of blood shed in the name of religion. More people would live and there would still be the communication between the people and gods that the human sacrifice rituals held, but without

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