Lesson 3: The Aztec Empire The Aztec’s Rise to Power

1.  Capital city: Tenochtitlan. On Lake Texcoco, in the valley of Mexico. àSpread as far South as Yucatan Peninsula

2.  Mild climate, interconnected lakes, forests.

3.  The Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico bordered the empire.

4.  Neighboring groups were hostile= conflict and violence.

1.  Aztec gods ruled all parts of their life. –  Gods could be seen anywhere: trees,

storms, Kings, ancestors. 2.  Lived in fear, viewed natural disasters as the

temper of the Gods. – Floods, famine, drought, earthquakes etc.,

believed to be a sign of an unhappy god. 3.  How are they going to make the gods happy? – HUMAN SACRIFICE!

4.  Human life= greatest gift they could give.

Extra on Human Sacrifice (no notes) HOW? •  Top of temple: victim laid over a round stone •  Limbs spread by 4 assistants, back arched •  Priest went under the rib cage with a knife to remove the

heart •  The heart would still be beating as it was offered to the

gods à Some gods preferred different sacrifice à God of fertility was honored by victims being tied up and

shot full of arrows to represent the falling of spring rain à God of fire was honored by burning victims alive WHO? 1. Prisoners of war 2. Criminals

1.  Chinampas – Limited land for farming – “floating gardens” produced food supply – Maximized use of lake= ate algae and

duck

2. Aztec Calendar – By studying astronomy – Helped with ceremony planning, battles, agriculture.

3. Plant Use – More than 100 plants that could be used for

medicine.

4. Writing and Literature –  Complex writing

system. – Codex – an ancient

book of historical records

– Oral Traditions •  Speeches were

important • Riddles •  Storytelling

(eventually written down)

5. Causeways –  Tenoctitlan was on an island. –  They made causeways, raised roads across water or wet

ground, for easier access to capitol. – Made of rocks covered with dirt.

1.  Kings – Ruled the empire and lived in luxury. –  In charge of law, trade and tribute, warfare.

2. Nobles –  Served as important officials, such as tax collectors and

judges. –  Passed down from father. Received an education.

3. Priests –  Performed many important duties, such as keeping

calendars, when to plant, performed ceremonies (human sacrifice).

4. Warriors –  Fought to conquer others and capture victims for

sacrifice. – Highly respected.

5. Merchants – Traded goods like food, clothing, and tools. – Controlled trade – very wealthy.

6. Artisans – Made a variety of goods. – Also wealthy.

7. Farmers – Most were farmers who lived in simple huts. – Did not own their own land and very poor.

8. Slaves – Prisoners of war. Forced to work and were sacrificed.

1.  In the late 1400s Spanish soldiers arrived, known as conquistadors.

2.  Cortes came in 1519 and the Aztecs thought he was a God. – Emperor Moctezuma II sent gifts, including gold,

and welcomed him. – They took Moctezuma II prisoner. – The Aztecs attacked and drove out the Spanish. – In confusion Moctezuma II was killed. – Cortes returned with Indian allies and took over

Tenochtitlan.

Review: •  Who were victims of sacrifice? •  What different types of sacrifice were

there? •  What is the capital city? •  Where is it located? •  What does chinampas mean? •  Describe chinampas •  Why were merchants respected?

à Who is La Malinche? •  Native Aztec woman (Dona Marina) who helped

Cortes travel around the civilization and translated for him

•  She assisted him in the overthrow of the Aztec Empire by giving him insight and knowledge

•  She eventually married him and became the mother of his children

•  Malinche is now a word commonly used for traitor