1. The Aztec

2. The Aztec lived in central Mexico from about the1200s to the 1500s.

3. Tenochtitlan

4. Tenochtitlan Capital of the Aztec empire
Built on a swampy island in the middle of a large lake to help protect it from enemy attacks
Site of present-day Mexico City

5. Aztec Pyramid Living space for the Emperor
Became his burial place when he died
Buried with jewels, jewelry, food and many other things that were supposed to travel with him into the after life

6. Aztec Empire About 5 million people
Society who used advanced concepts like a calendar to help with planting and harvesting crops
Used mathematical systems to keep up with their empire
Used irrigation systems to water their crops
Good with metal-working and pottery making

7. Aztec Empire Worshipped many gods
Sacrificed humans and animals to gain favor with their gods
Conquered neighboring tribes and made them pay taxes and provide humans for sacrifices

8. Montezuma II Aztec ruler from about 1500 to 1520
Popular with his own people but highly feared by his enemies

9. Hernan Cortes Spanish conquistador
Sailed into Mexico in 1519 in search of gold, silver, and other valuable resources
His expedition had about 600 men, horses, guns, and canons
Created an alliance with enemies of the Aztec and had about 1,000 natives join him in his fight against the Aztec

10. Fall of the Aztec Empire
Montezuma and the Aztec mistakenly thought Cortes was a god at first
Cortes captured Montezuma and held him prisoner
Cortes and his men defeated the Aztec and Montezuma was killed
In time the Spanish sent more troops to Mexico and destroyed Tenochtitlan
Thousands of natives died in a massive smallpox epidemic because they had never been exposed to the disease and had no immunity built up like the Spanish did
The Spanish built Mexico City where Tenochtitlan had been

11. Quiz
Why did the Aztec build their capital on an island in the middle of a lake?
Who conquered the Aztec empire for Spain?
Who was the Aztec ruler when the Spanish arrived?
What disease killed thousands of people in Mexico in 1520?
What capital city did the Spanish build after destroying Tenochtitlan?