1. Aztecs

2. Where? Located in the Valley of Mexico (present day Mexico City)
Large, shallow lakes
Accessible resources
Fertile soil

4. The Beginning
First major civilization of Central Mexico was Teotihuacan
People here began to build large civilization
Became the center for trade (obsidian)
After many centuries the city declines
Toltecs become next group in power
Very warlike people
Used trade and conquest to flourish

5. Aztec Empire Arrive in Valley of Mexico around 1200 A.D.
Poor, nomadic group
Began work as soldiers for hire
Told by one of their gods to find a city of their own
“look for a place where an eagle perched on a cactus, with a snake in its mouth”
Founded their city on an island in Lake Texcoco and set up their capital of Tenochtitlan

7. Grow in Strength
Joined forces with 2 other city states– Texcoco and Tlacopan – formed the Triple Alliance
Population grows somewhere between 5 – 15 million people
Power gained through conquest and loot they captured from these places
Let some places keep their own ruler but required tribute

8. Aztec Society
Emperor
Nobles (Military leaders, priests, gov’t officials)
Commoners (Merchants, artisans, soldiers, farmers with own land)
Slaves/Captives

9. Trade and City Building
Controlled an extensive trade route
Most items in market grown on chinampas
Tenochtitlan becomes urban center
Estimated population of 200k (bigger than any European city of the time)
Built causeways from the island to the mainland
Palaces, temples, markets, residential districts (connected by avenues)
Aqueducts provide water

12. Religion Polytheistic
Held ceremonies to communicate with the gods and “win their favor”
Sun God was one of most important
Only made sun come up if there was human sacrifice
Would carve out the hearts as an offering
Needed a lot of war prisoners

13. Problems Montezuma II becomes emperor Spanish arrive in Mesoamerica
Aztec empire began to weaken
Period of unrest and rebellion
Spanish arrive in Mesoamerica
Possibly the return of Quetzalcoatl (one of their gods)
Hernan Cortes captures Montezuma, takes over the city and then kills him

14. The Mayans

15. Creation of Kingdoms
Homeland of the Maya stretch from southern Mexico into northern Central America
Took ideas from the Olmec people (oldest known civilization in the Americas)
Mayans built glorious cities such as Tikal and Chichen Itza
Had giant pyramids, temples, palaces, and stone carvings of the gods/rulers
People chose to play games to keep the gods happy

16. Agriculture and Trade Mayan city-states were independent of each other
Linked by alliances and trade
Would trade crafts and local goods
Agriculture provides basis of life
Beans, squash, and maize
Practiced slash and burn farming or planted their crops above swamps and/or rivers

17. Kingdom Built on Dynasties
Farming leads to wealth and social classes
Regarded as holy figure – position was hereditary (eldest son)
Mayan King
Nobles – Priests and leading warriors
Merchants and Artisans (Skilled workers)
Peasants

18. Mayan Religion Influenced most aspects of Mayan life Polytheistic
(Ex.) God of corn, death, rain, war, etc.
Worshiped gods in many ways
Prayed, made food offerings, body piercing, offered blood, human sacrifice
Led to creation of the calendar, math, and astronomy
Calendar influenced when they would plant crops, attack enemies, or crown a new ruler
Based on observation of the planets, sun, and moon
Introduced the concept of zero in math

19. Written Language
Developed most advanced writing system in ancient Americas
Used glyphs or symbols (about 800 symbols)
Some stood for whole words and other for syllables
Used to record important events in a book called a codex (only 3 have survived to today)
Other books that tell stories also written
Creation of the world in Popol Vuh
Quote pg. 398

20. Decline of the Mayans Not sure how it ended
Late 800s -> Mayans begin to abandon their cities
The Toltec invaded from the North into Mayan territory
Large Mayan cities disappear
Warfare between Mayan city-states
Causes people to leave and a disruption in trade
Over farming and population growth cause famine, food shortages, and disease