The Aztecs Control Central America

Through alliances and conquest, the Aztecs created a powerful empire in Mexico This empire was located in what is modern Mexico City today

The Valley of Mexico Mountain basin 7,500’ above sea level Large lakes and fertile soil Originally inhabited by the Teotihuacan (200 B.C.-700 )and Toltec (900-1100) civilizations

Teotihuacan: An early city-state “Place of the Gods” City-state outside of modern Mexico City; thought to be peaceful 200,000 inhabitants at its height Busy trade center: obsidian (volcanic glass) is most valuable trade item Used to make sharp weapons “Avenue of the Dead” lined w/ temples & palaces “Pyramid of the Sun” was 200’ tall & larger at base than Egypt’s Great Pyramid Power and wealth based on trade City declines and abandoned by 750

Toltecs Take Over 900-1200 A warlike people, they rule by conquest They worship fierce war god and offer human sacrifices Toltec ruler Topiltzin tries to change religion, end human sacrifice Encourages worship of Quetzalcoatl “Feathered Serpent”—a new peaceful god Followers of the war god rebelled forcing Topiltzin and his followers into exile The god, Quetzalcoatl, also sent into exile to the east leaving in a raft of snakes According to legend, Quetzalcoatl would return one day, bringing a new reign of light and peace

Legend of the Aztecs 12th c. the nomads migrated to the Valley of Mexico from northern Mexico People drove them into snake-infested region Legend says that the sun god, Huitzilpochtli, told them that when they saw an eagle standing on a prickly pear cactus growing out of a rock, their journey would end Mexican sculpture remembering the moments when Aztecs found the sign for Tenochtitlan . The sculpture is near the Zocalo, in Pino Suarez Street, Historical Center, Mexico City. Mexico.

“The place where the eagle screams, where he spreads his wings; the place where he feeds, where the fish jump, where the serpents coil up and hiss! This shall be Mexico Tenochtitlan and many things shall happen!” Croninca Mexicayotl

Founding of Tenochtitlan 1325 under attack, they were driven into swamps and islands of Lake Texcoco On one of the islands, saw an eagle standing on the prickly pear cactus on a rock Built their city: Tenochtitlan Built roadways of stone across Lake Texcoco to link islands & mainland 200,000 people at height Palaces, temples, markets, residential areas Other cities formed around the lake Great Temple was main structure in city

Tenochtitlan: A Planned City Causeways connect island city to mainland areas Canals enable people to carry goods to city and its huge main market Chinampas, floating islands, used to grow crops Central area has palaces, temples, government buildings

Aztecs Grow Stronger Triple Alliance—1428 agreement of Aztec and two other city-states By early 1500s, Aztecs have large empire and rule 5–15 million people Power comes from tribute resulting from conquests In form of gold, maize, cacao beans, cotton Failure to pay resulted in Aztec brutality

Nobles Rule Aztecs Emperor Noble class Commoners: Lowest class: Power is absolute Lives in palace Revered Noble class Military leaders, officials, priests—rules Aztec society Nobles own vast estates, live life of wealth and luxury Commoners: Merchants, artisans, soldiers, farmers Lowest class: Enslaved people

Aztec Writing

Aztec Calendar Derived from the Maya 2 main calendars Religious: 13 months of 20 days Solar: 18 months of 20 days w/ 5 day period Every 52 years, the 2 calendars started on same day & marked by ceremony of fire

Religion: The Center of Aztec Life Major role in Aztec society Over 1,000 gods, many adopted from others Mesoamerican peoples Center of religion is public ceremonies to win gods’ favor Priests make offerings, ritual dramas, songs, dance by masked performers Many religious festivals throughout year

Sacrifices for the Sun God Sun god: Huitzilopochtli The god needed to be nourished w/ human blood in order for sun to rise Human sacrifice carried out on massive scale 1,000s of prisoners of war led to the altar atop the Great Temple where priests carved out their hearts using obsidian knives (as many as 200,000 a year) Aztec warriors used battle tactics designed to provide live prisoners of war

How might ordinary Aztecs have felt about the blood sacrifices to Huitzilopochtli (picture at right)?

Problems in the Aztec Empire In 1502, Montezuma II was crowned emperor Beloved ruler, great orator He demands more tribute and sacrificial victims from his provinces which leads to rebellion In 1519, the Spanish arrive (the year the far-skinned Quetzalcoatl was supposed to return from the east and claim the Aztec Empire) 1480?-1520

The Arrival of the Spanish 5’4” tall, bow-legged, thin 1519 Cortes w/ 600 men reach Tenochtitlan where he is welcomed as the armor-clad god,Queztlcoatl Cortes burned his ships to keep his men from turning back Montezuma II offers him gifts of gold & his palace to stay Cortes forces Aztecs to mine more gold & silver to “appease his heart that only gold can cure” The meeting of Montezuma II and Cortes

Montezuma II speaking to Cortes “Throughout all time we have worshipped our own gods and thought that they were good. I do not doubt the goodness of the god whom you worship, but if he is good for Spain, our gods are equally good for Mexico, so do not trouble to speak to us any more about them at present.”

Rebellion of the Aztecs In 1520, the Aztecs rebel against the Spanish and drive them out During a speech, Montezuma II tries to convince his subjects to make peace with the Spanish The crowd denounced him as a traitor He is stoned to death by his people

Fall of the Aztec Empire 1521, Cortes and his men return & conquer the Aztecs They destroy pyramids, temples, palaces & use the stone to build gov’t bldgs and churches The rivers & canals were filled in

Aztec Flag Individually or Partners, Create a flag to symbolize the importance of the Aztecs Central America. At least one symbol representing something important about the arrival of the Aztecs in the Valley of Mexico. At least one symbol repsenting something important about their capital city Tenochtitlan. At least one symbol representing something important about how they conquered and ruled their neighbors. A variety of colors symbolizing the strength and signifcance of the Aztecs. No more than a five word motto for the flag. One paragraph explaining each symbol of the flag.

Guided Reading 2. The Aztecs joined two other city-states to form a Triple Alliance. Why? They waged war to gain control over neighboring regions.

3. In Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, the Aztecs built hundreds of temples and religious structures dedicated to the gods. Why? Worshiped many gods; religion played a major role in Aztec society

4. Aztec engineers built three causeways over water and marshland. Why? They needed to connect the island site of Tenochtitlan to the mainland.

5. Aztec priests sacrificed humans atop the Great Temple. Why? The Aztecs believed that without regular offerings of blood, the sun god would not make the sun rise and all life would perish.

6. The Aztecs built a calendar in the main ceremonial plaza of Tenochtitlan. Why? They needed a way to keep track of when they had to perform varied religious rituals and public ceremonies honoring the many gods.

7. Some of the conquered provinces rebelled against Aztec rule. Why? The Aztecs had been demanding more and more tribute and sacrificial victims from the surrounding lands under their control and meet the demands of the growing population.