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Course: World History Project AP® > Unit 1
Lesson 3: 1.3—State Building in the Americas- READ: The Americas 1200–1450
- BEFORE YOU WATCH: Pre-Colonial Caribbean
- WATCH: Pre-Colonial Caribbean
- READ: Long-Distance Trade in the Americas
- BEFORE YOU WATCH: Aztec Empire
- WATCH: Aztec Empire
- READ: Macuilxochitzl – Graphic Biography
- BEFORE YOU WATCH: Inca Empire
- WATCH: Inca Empire Overview
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READ: Macuilxochitzl – Graphic Biography
Macuilxochitl, or five-flower, may have been named after the Aztec dual-gendered god/goddess of art, song, and dance, who had the same name.
The Graphic Biography below uses “Three Close Reads”. If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.
First read: skimming for gist
This will be your quickest read. It should help you get the general idea of what the graphic biography will be about. Pay attention to the title, headings, images, and layout. Ask yourself: what is this graphic biography going to be about?
Second read: understanding content
For this reading, you should be looking for unfamiliar vocabulary words, the major claim and key supporting details, and analysis and evidence. You should also spend some time looking at the images and the way in which the page is designed.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
- Who was Macuilxochitl and how does she describe herself?
- She describes the Tenochtitlan (Aztec) conquest of Tlacotepec as “forays for flowers [and] butterflies.” What does this mean?
- She writes that Axayacatl spared the Otomi warrior partly because he brought a piece of wood and deerskin to the ruler? What does this tell you?
- How does the artist use art and design emphasize and demonstrate the importance of tribute?
Third read: evaluating and corroborating
In this read, you should use the graphic biography as evidence to support, extend, or challenge claims made in the course.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
- To what extent does this article explain how and why states in the Americas developed and changed over time?
- How does this biography of Macuilxochitl support, extend, or challenge what you have learned about the state and economy in Mesoamerica in this period?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to read! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished reading.
Macuilxochitzl (Graphic Biography)
Writer: Trevor R. Getz
Artist: Liz Clarke
Macuilxochitl, or five-flower, may have been named after the Aztec dual-gendered god/goddess of art, song, and dance, who had the same name.
Download the Graphic Biography PDF here or click on the image above.