where did aztecs come from? nomadic tribe (mashika) from n/nw mexico aztlan territory source of...
TRANSCRIPT
THE AZTECS
THE AZTECS Where did
Aztecs come from?
Nomadic tribe (Mashika) from N/NW Mexico Aztlan territory
Source of Aztec name
Wandered over 200 years before settling in the Valley of Mexico
THE AZTECS Geography Extremely varied
Sea level to 7,500 feet above sea level
Surrounded by tropical rain forests High altitude = mild climate
THE AZTECS Mercenary Nahauatl
Soldier/warrior for hire Aztec language
Nahauatl words you know: Acapulco Mexico Avocado Chocolate tomato
THE AZTECS Developed glyphs
Represented both ideas and sounds
Limited in what could be expressed
THE AZTECS Tenochtitlan Aztec city located on an island
in Lake Texcoco Lake filled in over time Now Mexico City
Capital of Mexico
THE AZTECS Aztec
Empire 1400’s
Controlled region Established city-states
Own government Distinct culture Three main ones:
Tenochtitlan Texcoco Tiacopan
489 cities paid tribute and taxes
THE AZTECS No attempt to unify No attempt to change customs
of conquered people Military units to maintain
control Great noble commanded each
army Served as governor of area
THE AZTECS Government Council of Nobles
Chose emperor from members of royal family
Most offices were hereditary Service to emperor was also
way to gain high office
THE AZTECS Montezuma
I Greatest emperor Ruled 1440-1468/9 Expanded empire Spelled different ways
Moctezuma Motecuhzoma
Montezuma II Grandson Became emperor in 1502 Ruled at empires peak
THE AZTECS Aztec
Society Calpulli
Large family group Everyone belonged to one Means “big house”
Each calpulli owned plot of land Meet needs of members Government got part of harvest as
tribute
THE AZTECS Social
Hierarchy 4 mail social classes
Upper-class Nobles Owned land PLUS land of their calpulli
Commoners Farmed the calpulli Made crafts Gave tribute in return for protection
Serfs/Peasants Farmed land of nobles
slaves Captives in war Criminals Citizens unable to pay debts Were servants or worked fields with
serfs
THE AZTECS
1%
1%
98% 18%warrior
s
THE AZTECS Achievement
s Complex hierarchy Huge trade network Tribute system Sophisticated agricultural
economy Intellectual Religious
Chinampa
THE AZTECS Spanish
Invasion Hernando Cortes and army
invaded Searching for gold Many of small city-states
helped Resented paying tributes
1521 Aztecs destroyed