The Aztecs

THE AZTECS

THE AZTECS 

Where did Aztecs come from?

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Nomadic tribe (Mashika) from N/NW Mexico 

Aztlan territory 

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Source of Aztec name

Wandered over 200 years before settling in the Valley of Mexico

THE AZTECS 

Geography

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Extremely varied   

Sea level to 7,500 feet above sea level Surrounded by tropical rain forests High altitude = mild climate

THE AZTECS  

Mercenary Nahauatl

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Soldier/warrior for hire Aztec language 

Nahauatl words you know: Acapulco  Mexico  Avocado  Chocolate  tomato 

THE AZTECS 

Developed glyphs 

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Represented both ideas and sounds

Limited in what could be expressed

THE AZTECS 

Tenochtitlan

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Aztec city located on an island in Lake Texcoco Lake filled in over time Now Mexico City 

Capital of Mexico

THE AZTECS 

Aztec Empire

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1400’s 

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Controlled region

Established city-states   

Own government Distinct culture Three main ones: Tenochtitlan  Texcoco  Tiacopan 

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489 cities paid tribute and taxes

THE AZTECS  

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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

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Council of Nobles 

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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

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

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Moctezuma Motecuhzoma

Montezuma II  

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Grandson Became emperor in 1502 Ruled at empires peak

THE AZTECS  

Aztec Society Calpulli

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Large family group  

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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

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4 mail social classes 

Upper-class Nobles 

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Owned land PLUS land of their calpulli

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

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Serfs/Peasants 

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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% warriors

THE AZTECS 

Achievements

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Complex hierarchy Huge trade network Tribute system Sophisticated agricultural economy Intellectual Religious

Chinampa

THE AZTECS 

Spanish Invasion

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Hernando Cortes and army invaded Searching for gold Many of small city-states helped 

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Resented paying tributes

1521 

Aztecs destroyed