Transcript AztecCivilizationPowerpoint

Aztecs
Beginnings
• The Aztecs came from an area of
Northwestern Mexico they called
Aztlan.
• In the late 1200s, they began to migrate
south into the Valley of Mexico
• The Aztec’s referred to themselves as
Mexica or Tenochca.
Settling in the Valley of
Mexico
• When the Aztec’s arrived in the valley, there
were no other major powers in the area.
• There were many city-states that controlled
all of the good farmland.
• Eventually the Aztecs were forced into the
swamplands of the valley.
– They believed they would find a new home where
they saw an eagle sitting on a cactus.
Settling in the Valley cont.
• They found this sign on a island in lake
Texcoco.
• There they built their capital city
Tenochtitlan.
– “Place of the Prickly Pear”
– This is also the site of Mexico City today
Building An Empire
• The Aztecs began by working as
soldiers for other city-states.
• They then formed a “triple alliance” and
began conquering neighboring citystates.
– The Mexica and other members of the
“triple alliance” became known as the
“Aztec”
Building an Empire
• Eventually between 6 and 12 million
people lived under Aztec rule.
• The Aztecs demanded tribute from the
conquered city-states.
– Paid in goods such as corn, gold, or jade.
– Tribute: a forced payment in goods or
labor
Aztec Society
• Aztec society had three major social
classes; Nobles, the intermediate
classes, and the commoners.
• The Nobles made up the smallest class,
but had the most power.
– They included, princes, military leaders,
and priests
Aztec Society
• Below the nobles was the intermediate
class.
– They included merchants and artisans
Most people in Aztec society were part
of the commoner class.
– Some owned land
– Slaves were at the bottom
Aztec Religion
• Like the Mayans, the Aztecs practiced
polytheism.
– Polytheism: The belief in many gods.
– Aztecs also shared several gods with the
Mayans, Toltecs, and other older
civilizations.
– They had different names
Aztec Religion
• Aztec life was dominated by religion
• They believed in over 1000 gods and
goddesses.
• They had many religious ceremonies
and festivals
– Usually to ask the gods for a good harvest.
Aztec Religion
• Like other Mesoamerican Civilizations, the
Aztecs practiced Human Sacrifice.
– The victims were usually captured warriors or
slaves.
– Historians disagree on the actual scale of sacrifice
– The ceremonies for sacrifice could last up to a
year.
– Animals were also sacrificed.
– Victims had their hearts cut out, usually at the top
of the pyramid
Spanish Conquest
• In 1519 Spanish explorer, Hernan
Cortes, landed near Vera Cruz Mexico.
– He arrived with 500 men, 13 horses, and a
few cannons
– He learned about the Aztecs from a
translator, La Malinche, who he won in
battle.
– He then headed to Tenochtitlan to Conquer
the Aztec Empire for Spain.
Spanish Conquest
• On his way to the Aztec Capital, Cortes was
able to gain allies from among the Aztec’s
many enemies.
• After being invited into the capital, Cortes and
his army took the Aztec king hostage and
began to attack Tenochtitlan.
• After many battles throughout the Aztec
Empire, Cortes and his armies conquered the
Aztec Empire.