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% 98% 18% warriors 1%

THE AZTECS

 Achievements  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