1. Aim: to what extent did the Aztecs have an impact on Central America?

2. When? 12 th Century Aztecs migrate south into Mexico from their original homeland. 1325 AD / CE: Tenochtitlan founded 1519 -1521 AD / CE Aztec Empire destroyed by the Spanish. Legend?

3. Aim: to what extent did the Aztecs have an impact on Central America?

4. Where?

6. Not at the same time!

8. Social and Political Hierarchy What do you think? Why?

9. ROYALTY NOBILITY COMMONERS + SLAVES Poor commoners frequently sold their children into slavery. (SERFS) (including WARRIORS and CLERGY) It’s just amazing how different people are!

10. Economy

11. Agriculture Used terraced and “marsh reclamation” farming.

12. Religion Polytheistic Gods governed various aspects of life. Sun God = the most powerful. Used human sacrifice to appease the Gods. Believed in an afterlife. Modified form of Animism

13. Human Sacrifice

17. Writing Why did they develop writing?

19. Tenochtitlan (Founded 1325)

25. Aim: to what extent were Hernan Cortes and the (Spanish) Conquistadores beneficiaries of Aztec legend?

26. Collapse 1518: Spaniards barter for Gold along the Mexican coast. 1519: Hernan Cortes accompanied by 500 soldiers land in Mexico. 1520: Motecuhzoma II taken prisoner by Cortes and later killed. 1521: Spaniards finally capture Tenochtitlan. 1528: Encomienda system established (see pyramid on upcoming slide). 1535: Viceroyalty of New Spain established, Tenochtitlan renamed Mexico City.

31. ROYALTY NOBILITY COMMONERS SLAVES Poor commoners frequently sold their children into slavery. (SERFS) (including WARRIORS and CLERGY) It’s just amazing how different people are! Who did the Spanish want to eliminate?

32. Encomienda System To what extent is this reflected in modern Mexican demographics and classism?

33. Fin