Aztec EmpireAztec Empire

Warm up: 1.List 6 things you see in this picture2. Who do you think painted this an Aztec or a Spaniard? Why?

GeographyGeography Founded capital Founded capital

Tenochititlan -an island in Tenochititlan -an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco the middle of Lake Texcoco (modern day Mexico city).(modern day Mexico city).

Moderate climate, Moderate climate, interconnecting lakes, forest interconnecting lakes, forest and wild game.and wild game.

Mesoamerica (includes the Mesoamerica (includes the southern part of Mexico and southern part of Mexico and parts of Northern Central parts of Northern Central America.America.

Geography and AdaptationGeography and Adaptation Built raised roads across water or wet

ground. Used floating gardens called Used floating gardens called chinampas chinampas

to produce food in swampy conditions.to produce food in swampy conditions. They created canals for irrigation and They created canals for irrigation and

transportation of goods and people.transportation of goods and people.

Tenochtitlan Interesting Facts

  City contained 80,000 to 250,000 people. Canals served as roads for trade and

travel between villages. Markets- 60,000 people visited daily. The Aztecs built huge pyramids, some

lined with thousands of skulls.

Rise to Power: WarriorsRise to Power: Warriors Aztecs called themselves Mexica (meh-shee-ka)Aztecs called themselves Mexica (meh-shee-ka) Skilled warriors, one ruler ruled over Aztec Empire.Skilled warriors, one ruler ruled over Aztec Empire. under the leader Monteczuma they expanded to 1/3 under the leader Monteczuma they expanded to 1/3

of Mexico- Mostly in Southof Mexico- Mostly in South Population of 25 million at peakPopulation of 25 million at peak Grew stronger through war, tribute, and trade.

Tribute– The Aztecs made neighboring tribes pay them in order to not be attacked. Neighboring tribes “paid tribute” but, with good reason they did not like being bullied. This will effect the Aztecs in the future.

Monteczuma :WarriorsMonteczuma :Warriors

Religion: Polytheism (many gods)Religion: Polytheism (many gods)

Worshiped gods of sun, rain, moon Worshiped gods of sun, rain, moon etc.etc.

KEY POINT: The Aztecs predicted KEY POINT: The Aztecs predicted that Quetzalcoatl (ket-sahl-koh-aht-l) that Quetzalcoatl (ket-sahl-koh-aht-l) (serpent god of creation) would return (serpent god of creation) would return in early 1500s.in early 1500s.

Religion:QuetzalcoatlReligion:QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatl - ket-sahl-koh-aht-l

Religion: Quetzalcoatl & Religion: Quetzalcoatl & SacrificeSacrifice

ket-sahl-koh-aht-lket-sahl-koh-aht-l Attempted to please gods, Attempted to please gods,

by human sacrifices.by human sacrifices. Military Deterrent: Military Deterrent:

Sacrifices used as Sacrifices used as intimidation to the people intimidation to the people and other tribesand other tribes

Typical sacrifices would Typical sacrifices would take place on top of a take place on top of a high temple.high temple.

Aztec sacrificed about Aztec sacrificed about

10,000 people.10,000 people.

Famine and SacrificeFamine and Sacrifice

In 1450, a famine occurred due to poor weather bad farming conditions.

The Aztec priests began to make many sacrifices to the gods. They work. Why?

Not enough food = More sacrifices = Less people to feed…Maybe? Who knows

SacrificeSacrifice

Social StructureSocial Structure Royal familyRoyal family ruled all, ruled all,

wives held high positions wives held high positions and respectand respect

NoblesNobles- priest, military - priest, military officers, and government officers, and government leadersleaders

MerchantsMerchants- imported the - imported the goodsgoods

Commoners/SerfsCommoners/Serfs- - worked in the fieldsworked in the fields

SlavesSlaves- people could be - people could be sold into slaverysold into slavery

Royal Family

Nobles

Merchants

Commoners/Serfs

Slaves

Hernan Cortez and the SpanishHernan Cortez and the Spanish He was a Spanish Conquistador

that learned about the Aztecs and their riches.

He knew he would have to conquer them to rule Mexico.

Other native tribes were tired of paying tribute to the Aztecs and joined Cortez.

When he arrives Moctezuma II thinks that he is Quezalcoatl.

They invite him to the capital Tenochititlan.

Cortez jailed Monteczuma.

Hernan CortezHernan Cortez

Hernan Cortez and the SpanishHernan Cortez and the Spanish

The Aztecs fight them off, but the Spaniards leave behind small pox.

Two years later Cortez returns and defeats the Aztecs. Only 2 million Aztecs survive.

In 1521 the Aztecs finally surrender

 

Analyzing A Primary Source:Analyzing A Primary Source:

Based on what you have learned, Based on what you have learned, who do you think said the who do you think said the following quote?following quote?

““As we took them by surprise, they were As we took them by surprise, they were easy to disperse, especially because I hadeasy to disperse, especially because I had

imprisoned their leaders. I ordered some imprisoned their leaders. I ordered some towers and fortified houses from whichtowers and fortified houses from which

they were attacking us to be set on fire. And they were attacking us to be set on fire. And so I proceeded through the cityso I proceeded through the city

fighting for five hours …Finally all the people fighting for five hours …Finally all the people were driven out of the city in manywere driven out of the city in many

directions, for some five thousand Indians directions, for some five thousand Indians from Tascalteca and another fourfrom Tascalteca and another four

hundred from Cempoal were assisting me.”hundred from Cempoal were assisting me.”

Hernan Cortez in a letter to Emperor Carlos V.