THE AZTECS

THE AZTECS Where did

Aztecs come from?

Nomadic tribe (Mashika) from N/NW Mexico Aztlan territory

Source of Aztec name

Wandered over 200 years before settling in the Valley of Mexico

THE AZTECS Geography Extremely varied

Sea level to 7,500 feet above sea level

Surrounded by tropical rain forests High altitude = mild climate

THE AZTECS Mercenary Nahauatl

Soldier/warrior for hire Aztec language

Nahauatl words you know: Acapulco Mexico Avocado Chocolate tomato

THE AZTECS Developed glyphs

Represented both ideas and sounds

Limited in what could be expressed

THE AZTECS Tenochtitlan Aztec city located on an island

in Lake Texcoco Lake filled in over time Now Mexico City

Capital of Mexico

THE AZTECS Aztec

Empire 1400’s

Controlled region Established city-states

Own government Distinct culture Three main ones:

Tenochtitlan Texcoco Tiacopan

489 cities paid tribute and taxes

THE AZTECS No attempt to unify No attempt to change customs

of conquered people Military units to maintain

control Great noble commanded each

army Served as governor of area

THE AZTECS Government Council of Nobles

Chose emperor from members of royal family

Most offices were hereditary Service to emperor was also

way to gain high office

THE AZTECS Montezuma

I Greatest emperor Ruled 1440-1468/9 Expanded empire Spelled different ways

Moctezuma Motecuhzoma

Montezuma II Grandson Became emperor in 1502 Ruled at empires peak

THE AZTECS Aztec

Society Calpulli

Large family group Everyone belonged to one Means “big house”

Each calpulli owned plot of land Meet needs of members Government got part of harvest as

tribute

THE AZTECS Social

Hierarchy 4 mail social classes

Upper-class Nobles Owned land PLUS land of their calpulli

Commoners Farmed the calpulli Made crafts Gave tribute in return for protection

Serfs/Peasants Farmed land of nobles

slaves Captives in war Criminals Citizens unable to pay debts Were servants or worked fields with

serfs

THE AZTECS

1%

1%

98% 18%warrior

s

THE AZTECS Achievement

s Complex hierarchy Huge trade network Tribute system Sophisticated agricultural

economy Intellectual Religious

Chinampa

THE AZTECS Spanish

Invasion Hernando Cortes and army

invaded Searching for gold Many of small city-states

helped Resented paying tributes

1521 Aztecs destroyed