Aztec Empire

Warm up: 1.List 6 things you see in this picture

2. Who do you think painted this an Aztec or a Spaniard? Why?

Who do you think painted this

artwork? Why?

Who do you think painted this artwork? Why?

Who do you think painted this artwork?

Why?

Geography

Founded capital
Tenochititlan -an island in
the middle of Lake Texcoco
(modern day Mexico city).
Moderate climate,
interconnecting lakes, forest
and wild game.
Mesoamerica (includes the
southern part of Mexico and
parts of Northern Central
America.

Geography and Adaptation

Built

raised roads across water or wet

ground.
Used floating gardens called chinampas
to produce food in swampy conditions.
They created canals for irrigation and
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: Warriors

Aztecs called themselves Mexica (meh-shee-ka)

Skilled warriors, one ruler ruled over Aztec Empire.
Under the leader Monteczuma they expanded to 1/3
of Mexico- Mostly in South.
Population 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 affect the Aztecs in
the future.

Monteczuma :Warriors

Religion: Polytheism (many gods)

Worshiped gods of sun, rain, moon

etc.
KEY POINT: The Aztecs predicted
that Quetzalcoatl (serpent god of
creation) would return in early 1500s.

Religion:Quetzalcoatl

Religion: Quetzalcoatl &

Sacrifice

Attempted to please
gods, by human
sacrifices.
Military Deterrent:
Sacrifices used as
intimidation to the people
and other tribes.
Typical sacrifices would
take place on top of a
high temple.
Aztec sacrificed about
10,000 people.

Famine 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 feedMaybe? Who knows?

Sacrifice

Social Structure

Royal Family

Nobles
Merchants
Commoners/Serfs

Slaves

Royal family ruled all,

wives held high positions
and respect
Nobles- priest, military
officers, and government
leaders
Merchants- imported the
goods
Commoners/Serfsworked in the fields
Slaves- people could be
sold into slavery

Interesting Facts
City contained 80,000 to 250,000 people
Canals served as roads.
Markets- 60,000 people visited daily.
Huge pyramids, some lined with

thousands of skulls.

Hernan 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.

Henan Cortez

Hernan 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

Small Pox
fever,

chills,
headache,
nausea, vomiting
and severe
muscle aches

A rash

follows
that spreads and
progresses to
raised bumps
that crust, scab,
and fall off after
about three
weeks, leaving a
pitted scar.
30-50%

rate

fatality

Analyzing A Primary Source:

Based on what you have learned,

who do you think said the

following quote?

Hernan Cortez in a letter to Emperor Carlos V.

As we took them by surprise, they were easy
to disperse, especially because I had
imprisoned their leaders. I ordered some
towers and fortified houses from which
they were attacking us to be set on fire. And
so I proceeded through the city
fighting for five hours Finally all the people
were driven out of the city in many
directions, for some five thousand Indians
from Tascalteca and another four
hundred from Cempoal were assisting me.