The textbook: Von Sivers, Peter; Charles A. Desnoyers & George B. Stow. Patterns of World History. Third edition. London & New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. ISBN: XXXXXXXXXXSorry, I can't...

Step 1: Read chapter 15 in the textbook and the primary source by Bernal Díaz del Castillo.

Step 2: After completing the reading, answer one of the following questions. Use a word processor (like MS Word) to write your 200-400 word response to one of the following questions (please don't all select the first question ... let's mix it up a little!):

1. How and why does Diaz use comparisons with other markets while describing the one in Tlatelolco?

2. What do specific elements of this market suggest about the importance of trade in pre-Columbian Mexico?

3. What are the chief products of consumption? Is there any product that seems unusual?

4. Why are we again using a Spanish primary source when discussing a pre-Columbian Empire?

Part III:

Write a reply to the post below(in short):

When Diaz and his compatriots arrived in Tenochtitlan, they were given a tour of the great market place of Tiateloico, which astonished them as they had never seen anything like it before. According to Mursell (2016), the fact that the market place had a multitude of people selling and buying, and a large number of goods and items that were on display for sale, Diaz and his compatriots were left in shock. Therefore, this essay seeks to examine the reasons why Diaz used comparisons with other markets while describing the one in Tlatelolco.

First, the reason why Diaz compared the market place of Tiateloico with other market places is that he realized that he had never experienced such a massive market with many people and yet well-arranged and regulated. From his experience, the other market places he had visited were nothing when compared to the market of Tlatelolco. Diaz was surprised by the lack of chaos in this market place since he knew that if a market place had too many people and items on sale, it would be chaotic and poorly arranged. However, in Tiateloico, each type of merchandise had a fixed place where it was sold, which, in turn, meant that if an individual was to purchase something, he knew exactly where to find it. Consequently, this system reduced chaos in the market place.

Secondly, in the market place, there was a building that housed three magistrates whose duty was to judge anyone who committed a crime in the market place. Also, some executive officers inspected the merchandise coming in the market place (History on the Net, 2019). With these factors, then there were rules and regulations which guided the people on how to conduct business activities in the market place. Diaz compares this to other market places that have no regulations or rules, and he is astonished.

Lastly, compared to other regions, Tlatelolco was inhabited by craftsmen (Del Castillo, 2003). They also had caravans of armed men who protected merchants transporting goods for long distances. Furthermore, the existence of adequate freshwater gave it an advantage. In this case, the security factor made the capital a safe place to trade, while the availability of water enhanced irrigation, which ultimately resulted in surplus produce. Consequently, these factors contributed to the growth and expansion of the market place compared to other regions.

In essence, Diaz was amazed by the market place, and as such, stated that if he started giving his experience in detail, he would never finish narrating about everything he saw. It was for this reason that he used a comparison of this market place to the others he had visited.

References

Del Castillo, B. D. (2003).The Conquest of New Spain. Penguin UK.

History on the Net. (2009). Aztec Trade: Regional Markets and Long Distance Trading. Retrieved fromhttps://www.historyonthenet.com/aztec-economy-regional-markets-and-long-distance-trade

Mursell, I. (2016). The great market at Tlatelolco. Retrieved fromhttps://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/aztefacts/great-market-tlatelolco