1. The Aztec Empire © 2011Clairmont Press

2. Aztec civilization The Aztec Civilization was the most powerful in Central and South Mexico at the time of the European exploration.The Aztec Civilization was the most powerful in Central and South Mexico at the time of the European exploration. The borders stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.The borders stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. They controlled lands as far south as present-day Guatemala.They controlled lands as far south as present-day Guatemala. The Aztecs were a civilization of over 20 million people.The Aztecs were a civilization of over 20 million people. Tenochtitlan would have been the largest capital city in Europe.Tenochtitlan would have been the largest capital city in Europe.

3. Aztec culture The Aztec Culture was based on polytheism.The Aztec Culture was based on polytheism. They were known for their art and architecture.They were known for their art and architecture. They constructed a beautiful capital city on Lake Texcoco.They constructed a beautiful capital city on Lake Texcoco. They were known for their artwork.They were known for their artwork. They had a complex and wealthy society.They had a complex and wealthy society. They believed that human and animal sacrifice was needed to keep life going.They believed that human and animal sacrifice was needed to keep life going. Had to please the gods.Had to please the gods.

4. Aztec government The Aztecs were an autocratic government.The Aztecs were an autocratic government. They were ruled over by a god on earth which was their emperor.They were ruled over by a god on earth which was their emperor. The emperor enjoyed absolute power.The emperor enjoyed absolute power. Only his family and nobility were allowed to live within the capital city.Only his family and nobility were allowed to live within the capital city. Priests and soothsayers held high positions of power.Priests and soothsayers held high positions of power.

5. Aztec society Poor peasants and farmers made up the overwhelming majority of Aztecs.Poor peasants and farmers made up the overwhelming majority of Aztecs. They lived on small farm plots built on the lake.They lived on small farm plots built on the lake. The peasants and farmers were above the slaves.The peasants and farmers were above the slaves. Slaves were captured by the Aztec military.Slaves were captured by the Aztec military. Aztec military members were very powerful and held high positions of power in Aztec society.Aztec military members were very powerful and held high positions of power in Aztec society. The Aztec society was very structured and the military was a means of moving up.The Aztec society was very structured and the military was a means of moving up.

6. Aztec customs The Aztecs accepted slavery and ritual sacrifice as a normal way of life.The Aztecs accepted slavery and ritual sacrifice as a normal way of life. The Aztecs held a sacrificial ceremony in the months that led up to the Spanish Conquest because they believed their god Quetzocoatl was returning to destroy them.The Aztecs held a sacrificial ceremony in the months that led up to the Spanish Conquest because they believed their god Quetzocoatl was returning to destroy them. It is believed that tens of thousands of rival tribesmen were sacrificed.It is believed that tens of thousands of rival tribesmen were sacrificed. The Aztecs believed in a cyclical calendar.The Aztecs believed in a cyclical calendar.