1. The Aztecs 1325 CE-1521 CE

2. The Aztec build an empire Aztec were farmers who migrated from northern Mexico to central Mexico. Settled on swampy island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. Why? Legend 1325, began building capital city: Tenochtitlan 3 key reasons for the rise of the Aztec: War Tribute Trade

3. Tenochtitlan: The city of gold Home to 150,000 people Included large temples, busy market, grand palace Built 3 causeways-raised roads across water or wet ground, to enter-exit the city. Aquaducts and Canals-channels filled with water, throughout the city for travel and trade. Chinampas-floating gardens for farming-corn, squash and beans Pile soil on rafts, anchor to trees that stood in water (page 220)

4. Tenochtitlan

5. Life in the Aztec Empire Aztec were ruled by a Monarch-Emperor Aztec Society (in order of importance) Aztec emperor- the most important person-attended to law, trade, tribute and warfare Nobles- tax collectors, judges and other government officals Warriors and priests-religious ceremonies, kept calendars, decided when to plant and harvest Merchants and artisans Lower class-farmers and laborers Slaves

6. Religion, Warfare and Cultural Achievements Religion and Warfare Worshipped many gods Performed human sacrifices-victims captured in battle Cultural Achievements (Aztecs appreciated art and beauty) Architects, sculptors-created stone pyramids and statues Artisans-used gold and gems to make jewelry and masks Women embroidered beautiful cloth Created a calendar to keep record of historical events Nahuatl-Aztec language Enjoyed speeches and riddles

7. Design your own Aztec mask

8. Midterm Project-Design your own Aztec Mask Paper will be provided Size- at least 12” by 8” Details-eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair? Color-colored pencils, crayons, markers or combination of all three Additional item-You must include at least 1 additional item from home and use it as a decorative element on your mask-buttons, glitter, cereal, pasta Research examples of masks, create a rough draft

9. Cortes Conquers the Aztecs 1519-1521 Conquistadors-Spanish soldiers, led by Hernan Cortes came to the Americas: Looking for gold To claim land for Spain To spread Christianity Montezuma II welcomed the Spanish, thought they were sent by the gods. Gave them gold, Cortes wanted more

10. The End Of The Aztecs The Spanish took Montezuma prisoner, enraged the Aztecs. Aztecs won the battle but Montezuma was killed leaving the Aztecs without a strong leader Within a year, the Spanish returned with weapons and horses (Aztec had never seen before). Spanish also brought disease, Smallpox which killed thousands of Aztecs Disease not Cortes who defeated the Aztecs 1521, Cortes destroys Tenochtitlan and builds Mexico City in it’s place.