Aztec EmpireAztec Empire

GeographyGeography Founded capital Founded capital

Tenochititlan -an Tenochititlan -an island in the middle of island in the middle of Lake Texcoco Lake Texcoco (modern day Mexico (modern day Mexico city)city)

Moderate climate, Moderate climate, interconnecting lakes, interconnecting lakes, forest and wild gameforest and wild game

Mesoamerica Mesoamerica (includes (includes the southern part of Mexico the southern part of Mexico and parts of northern Central and parts of northern Central America)America)

Geography and AdaptationGeography and Adaptation Built raised roads across water or wet groundBuilt raised roads across water or wet ground Used floating gardens called Used floating gardens called chinampaschinampas to to

produce food in swampy conditionsproduce food in swampy conditions They created canals for irrigation and They created canals for irrigation and

transportation of goods and peopletransportation of goods and people

Tenochtitlan Interesting Facts Tenochtitlan Interesting Facts

City contained 80,000 to 250,000 peopleCity contained 80,000 to 250,000 people Canals served as roads for trade and Canals served as roads for trade and

travel between villagestravel between villages Markets- 60,000 people visited dailyMarkets- 60,000 people visited daily Huge pyramids, some lined with Huge pyramids, some lined with

thousands of skulls thousands of skulls

Rise to Power: WarriorsRise to Power: Warriors Aztecs called themselves Mexica (meh-Aztecs called themselves Mexica (meh-

hee-ka)hee-ka) They were skilled warriorsThey were skilled warriors One ruler ruled over the Aztec EmpireOne ruler ruled over the Aztec Empire under the leader Moctezuma they under the leader Moctezuma they

expanded to 1/3 of southern Mexicoexpanded to 1/3 of southern Mexico Population of 25 million at peakPopulation of 25 million at peak Grew stronger through war, Grew stronger through war, tributetribute, and , and

tradetrade

Moctezuma :WarriorsMoctezuma :Warriors

Religion: Polytheism (many gods)Religion: Polytheism (many gods)

Worshiped gods of sun, rain, moon Worshiped gods of sun, rain, moon etc.etc.

KEY POINT: The Aztecs predicted KEY POINT: The Aztecs predicted that that QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatl (serpent god of (serpent god of creation) would return in early 1500screation) would return in early 1500s

Religion: QuetzalcoatlReligion: Quetzalcoatl

Religion: SacrificeReligion: Sacrifice

Attempted to please Attempted to please gods, by human gods, by human sacrificessacrifices

Military Deterrent: Military Deterrent: Sacrifices used as Sacrifices used as intimidation to the people intimidation to the people and other tribesand other tribes

Typical sacrifices would Typical sacrifices would take place on top of a take place on top of a high templehigh temple

Aztec sacrificed about Aztec sacrificed about

10,000 people10,000 people

Famine and SacrificeFamine and Sacrifice

In 1450, a famine occurred due to poor In 1450, a famine occurred due to poor weather bad farming conditionsweather bad farming conditions

the Aztec priests began to make many the Aztec priests began to make many sacrifices to the godssacrifices to the gods

They work. Why?They work. Why? Not enough food = More sacrifices = Less Not enough food = More sacrifices = Less

people to feed…Maybe? Who knows for people to feed…Maybe? Who knows for sure….sure….

SacrificeSacrifice

Aztec Social StructureAztec Social Structure

Royal familyRoyal family One Ruler One Ruler Ruled, wives held high Ruled, wives held high positions and respectpositions and respect

NoblesNobles- priest, military - priest, military officers, and government officers, and government leadersleaders

MerchantsMerchants- imported the - imported the goodsgoods

Commoners/SerfsCommoners/Serfs- - worked in the fieldsworked in the fields

SlavesSlaves- people could be - people could be sold into slaverysold into slavery

Royal Family

Nobles

Merchants

Commoners/Serfs

Slaves

Hernan CortezHernan Cortez

Spanish ConquistadorSpanish Conquistador Learned about the Learned about the

Aztecs and their Aztecs and their richesriches

Knew he would have Knew he would have to conquer them to to conquer them to rule Mexicorule Mexico

Hernan Cortez and the SpanishHernan Cortez and the Spanish

Other native tribes were Other native tribes were tired of paying tired of paying tributetribute to to the Aztecs and joined the Aztecs and joined CortezCortez

When he arrives When he arrives Moctezuma IIMoctezuma II thinks that thinks that he is he is QuezalcoatlQuezalcoatl

They invite him to the They invite him to the capital capital TenochititlanTenochititlan

Cortez jails MonteczumaCortez jails Monteczuma

Hernan Cortez and the SpanishHernan Cortez and the Spanish

The Aztecs fight the The Aztecs fight the off, but the Spaniards off, but the Spaniards leave behind small leave behind small pox: pox:

Cortez returns and Cortez returns and defeats them: only 2 defeats them: only 2 million Aztecs survivemillion Aztecs survive

In 1521 the Aztecs In 1521 the Aztecs finally surrender finally surrender

Small PoxSmall Pox

•fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting and severe muscle aches

•A rash follows that spreads and progresses to raised bumps that crust, scab, and fall off after about three weeks, leaving a pitted scar.

•30-50% fatality rate

Different Perspective:Slide 1: 1.List 6 things you see in this picture

2. Who do you think painted this an Aztec or a Spaniard? Why?

Slide 2: 1) Why do you think that the man on the horse is light while everyone else is dark? 2) Who do you think that this person on the horse is?

Slide 3Slide 3: 1) What is going on in this picture? 2) Who do you think painted this : 1) What is going on in this picture? 2) Who do you think painted this and why?and why?

Slide 4Slide 4: 1) Describe 5 things that you see in this photo. 2) How is the story in : 1) Describe 5 things that you see in this photo. 2) How is the story in this painting different than slide 1 and 2?this painting different than slide 1 and 2?