1. The Aztec Diego Rivera mural, La Gran Tenochtitlàn

2. Major Global Development The last Mesoamerican civilization before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the Aztec built a hierarchical society based upon war, religion, tribute, and sacrifice.

3. Chichimeca Migration Came from Aztlàn Chichimecas first left in 900 CE

4. Aztec Empire Mexica migrated to Lake Texcoco in 1325 CE Worshipped Huitzilopchtli 200,000 – 700,000 people in Tenochtitlàn

5. Tenochtitlàn Aztec capital, founded in 1325 CE

8. Chinampas “Floating Gardens”

10. Pulque

11. Aztec Society Highly stratified Elites were 5 – 10% of population Macehualtin = Peasants + Artisans Slaves = 5% of Tenochtitlàn

12. Gender Differences Umbilical cord of girls = under the house Umbilical cord of boys = given to warriors Sweeping as a spiritual task

13. Tribute Once or twice per year Clothing, maize, animals, stones, jewelry

14. Religion Ometeotl = “Two God” mother/father to all gods Texcatlipoca = “Smoking Mirror,” supreme power Xochiquetzal = (Goddess) Pregnancy, weaving Tlazolteotl = (Goddess) Carnal love, sin, filth Mixcoatl = Patron of Chichimecas Huitzilopochtli = War & sun Quetzalcoatl = Wind Tlaloc = Rain

15. Xipe Totec God of Spring Flayed skins Priests wore the skins

16. Tlaloc God of rain Preferred children Death by drowning

17. Why did sacrifice matter? Pleasing gods A way to avoid destruction Projecting power of rulers

18. Death Mictlan Dog as “soul companion” 4 years of wandering Cremation vs. burial Mummies

19. Cihuateteo “The Divine Women” Goddesses who died during childbirth Accompany the sun from zenith to sunset

20. Moctezuma Became Aztec emperor in 1500 Waited for return of Quetzalcoatl

22. Quetzalcoatl “The Feathered Serpent” Tall, bearded, white god who was going to return

23. Who were the Conquistadors? Most had experience in the Caribbean Most were lower middle class, a small # were “hidalgos” All expected wealth, land, slaves, & political positions Most died in Mesoamerica & South America

24. Cortès & the Maya First encountered in the Yucatan in 1519 1,500 Yucatan Maya & 37 Spaniards died Geronimo de Aguilar, shipwrecked for 8 years

25. Who was Malinche? Malintzìn, Doña Marina, Malinche Given to Cortès as a slave Spoke Nahuatl, Maya, & Spanish

26. 18 th Century Spanish Depiction of Cortès & Moctezuma’s First Meeting

27. Reasons for the Fall of the Aztecs Disease: Smallpox, typhoid, cholera, malaria, influenza Technology & Weaponry Native Allies angry with the Aztecs

28. Skulls in the Templo Mayor ruins Tenochtitlàn today

29. Religion & Colonization Aztec temples destroyed Franciscan, Dominican, Augustinian friars in charge of conversion to Catholicism

30. Key Chronological Events The Chichimeca wandered out of Aztlàn by the command of Huitzilopochtli. Human sacrifice served multiple purposes for this religious civilization that emphasized the power of conquest. The Aztec’s strict tribute system allowed the Spanish conquistadors to find allies in their war against the Aztec.