1. The Aztecs

2. Major Pre-Columbian Civilizations

3. What established the start of The Aztec Empire? Search for new land Place where they can follow their beliefs The order of a god

4. Location Central Mexico Were poor nomads from northern Mexico Once called “Mexica” Told to look for a place where eagle perched on a cactus  small island on Lake Texcoco Adapted to warlike ways of city-states

5. Mexican Coat of Arms

6. The Aztecs were Fierce Warriors

7. The Triple Alliance Joined two other city-states (Texcoco and Tlacopan) to control nearby areas By early 1500s, empire stretched 80,000 square miles Based their power on conquest

8. Social Structure Emperor at the top Ruling noble class under him Merchant elite –Sometimes acted as spies for the emperor and gained great wealth Commoners –Artisans, soldiers, farmer Enslaved people

9. Tenochtitlan: Aztec Capital Many temples & religious structures Centralized center of Aztec Empire - played a major role in Aztec society

10. Tenochtitlan: The “Venice” of the Americas

11. Why did engineers build three causeways over water and marshland? Needed to connect Tenochtitlan to the mainland

12. Aztec Chinampa or Floating Garden: 15ft. to 30ft. wide

13. Tenochtitlan - Chinampas

14. Human Sacrifice The Aztecs believed that without regular offerings of blood, the sun god would not make the sun rise

15. Aztecs Sacrifice Neighboring Tribes to the Sun God

16. Wall of Skulls, Tenochtitlan

17. What was the purpose of Aztec calendars in the ceremonial plaza of Tenochtitlan? Needed to keep track of religious rituals and public ceremonies honoring the gods ---------------------------------- Note  13 ft. in diameter, weighs 24 tons  Squares in center rep. 4 ages of preceding time: Tiger, Water, Wind, Rain Note  Aztec calendar based on 20 days

18. Provinces Rebel Against Aztecs Aztecs demanding too much tribute Demand for victims of sacrifice became too much Sun God

19. Sacrificial Statue, Tenochtitlan

20. Why did Montezuma reduce the number of public officials? Tried to reduce pressure on provinces that were forced to pay higher tributes

21. Aztec Games Objective to make the ball through the hoop You can only use you elbows or knees Game might take up hours Losing team was sacrificed

22. Hernando Cortes demanded gold Montezuma (current emperor) revolted and went to war First victory went to Aztec’s 2 years later, Cortes made allies with tribes against the Aztec's Aztecs infected by small pox Aztecs lost and land was forfeited to the Spanish Fall of the Aztecs

23. Aztec Gold