The Development of the Aztec Empire Cornell Notes

Aztecs Rise to Power 1345 – Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan was founded Middle of Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico Ideal location: moderate climate, system of interconnecting lakes bordered with forests full of wild game. Also a central trading point. Aka Mexica (meh-SHEE-ka) Civilization developed rapidly around 1400s-1519 Destroyed own historical records to create a more favorable version: Descended from Toltecs, Culture predestined to be great by the gods

Legend: Once nomadic people were told by their gods that they would build a beautiful capital on the spot where they found a sign from the god: An eagle perched on a cactus eating a serpent Early 1200s nomadic Aztecs found it difficult to establish themselves: All lands were already controlled, Aztecs considered vulgar barbarians.

lived on hill of Chapultepec (now a park in Mexico City) until they were banished to another part of the valley. After fighting with other groups, the Aztecs settled on Lake Texcoco. Began to acquire needed materials through trade. Chinampas (floating gardens) were constructed. Tenochtitlan was built in the middle with causeways to the mainland.

Aztec Religious and Social Structure Saw themselves at living in an unsecure world: At the mercy of the elements, edge of doom. Natural disasters = gods showing displeasure. For this reason many gods were worshipped: Tlaloc – god of rain, Tzcatlipoca – warrior god, Quetzalcoatl – god of Venus, wind, high civilization. Expected to return in 1519 in human form.

Rapid growth of empire in 1450 under Moctezuma was disturbed by a famine (heavy snowfall and rain = destruction of crops) increase of human sacrifices resulted to please gods. After 5 years of starvation ended, the priests observed that the sacrifices had been successful. Lesson learned: Gods would never go Without a regular diet of human hearts Why sacrifice? Due to the belief in sun and war god, Hultzilopochitli, thought that the sun and earth had been destroyed and recreated 4 times, and that in their

age of the 5 th sun, destruction was imminent. Wanted to avoid this fate as long as possible. Sun and rain nourished plant life that sustained humans = humans should give back to the gods. Greatest offering = life itself. Human sacrifice also effective in conquering and intimidating others. Military strategy operated under threat of force instead of actual battle Typical sacrifice: Took place atop a high temple, victim held over a rounded stone, legs held by 4 assistants. Priest cut under rib cage with obsidian knives to remove the heart to offer gods. To honor god of fertility: victims were bound and shot full of arrows to

represent the falling of spring rain. To honor fire god: Victims were drugged and placed in a fire in order to supply victims, an almost constant state of limited warfare was maintained. Said to have deliberately left a nearby power, Tlaxcala, unconquered so they could engage in short battles that could be left off as soon as the required number of sacrificial victims had been obtained!

Aztec society was complex – ruled by a large noble family Emperors – gained power on the basis on merit, had many highly respected wives, and were expected to serve as examples of dignity for warriors Nobles – high priests, military officers, government leaders. Power not inherited. Commoners could become nobles if they distinguished themselves on the battlefield or intellectually. Lavish lifestyles, serious obligations and moral duties. Merchants-led caravans as far as Central America, requiring bravery; imported jade and feathers, lived luxurious lives.

Commoners – majority of the people: farmers, laborers, craftsmen, servants, vendors. Land distributed to families to work but not owned. Serfs or “mayesques” – rented services to upper classes to work in fields or do domestic tasks. Had freedom but inferior to commoners. Slaves – had some legal rights. Service could be payment for a debt or punishment for a crime, bondage not passed from parent to child, some sold themselves into slavery, slaves could own slaves.

The Splendor of Tenochtitlan Tenochtitlan was demolished by the Spaniards after the conquest. However, archaeological findings since 1978, combined with descriptions from the Spanish, give a detailed account of what existed.

1502: Tenochtitlan was home to 80, ,000 people In Europe, only Paris, Venice, Milan, and Naples had Populations of 100,000 or more during the same period. 5 square miles, center of present day Mexico City, center for trade activity. The core of Tenochtitlan had a double pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochti and Tlaloc, along with royal palaces. Interlaced with stone edged canals and streets for pedestrians. 3 long causeways (25-30 feet wide) joined the island city to the shore of Lake Texcoco. Good waste management system in place. People also bathed often. Large population of Tenochtitlan created a demand for goods that could not be supplied within the Valley of Mexico, so the empire was extended.

The “Aztec Empire” was a loose confederation of city states that paid tribute to the imperial center. Tribute took the form of: cacao beans, cotton, feathers, precious stones, jaguar skins, eagles, shells, dyes, cloth, gold, silver, sandals, corn, etc. Beyond tribute, towns were not much affected by Aztec rule. Needed to recognize Huitzilopochtli as supreme deity, but other than that, religious freedom. Ultimately weakened society, as the provinces were not assimilated Into Aztec culture, leaving them vulnerable (lacking unity And filled with discontent) when the Spanish arrived.

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