1. The Aztecs

2. 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

3. The Aztecs Geography Extremely varied
Sea level to 7,500 feet above sea level
Surrounded by tropical rain forests
High altitude = mild climate

4. The Aztecs Mercenary Nahauatl Soldier/warrior for hire Aztec language
Nahauatl words you know:
Acapulco
Mexico
Avocado
Chocolate
tomato

5. The Aztecs Developed glyphs Limited in what could be expressed
Represented both ideas and sounds
Limited in what could be expressed

6. The Aztecs Tenochtitlan
Aztec city located on an island in Lake Texcoco
Lake filled in over time
Now Mexico City
Capital of Mexico

7. The Aztecs Aztec Empire 1400’s Established city-states
Controlled region
Established city-states
Own government
Distinct culture
Three main ones:
Tenochtitlan
Texcoco
Tiacopan
489 cities paid tribute and taxes

8. 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

9. The Aztecs Government Council of Nobles Most offices were hereditary
Chose emperor from members of royal family
Most offices were hereditary
Service to emperor was also way to gain high office

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. The Aztecs 1% 1%
98%
18%
warriors

14. The Aztecs Achievements Complex hierarchy Huge trade network
Tribute system
Sophisticated agricultural economy
Intellectual
Religious
Chinampa

15. The Aztecs Spanish Invasion Hernando Cortes and army invaded
Searching for gold
Many of small city-states helped
Resented paying tributes
1521
Aztecs destroyed