Download Aztec power point

The Aztecs
(1100s – 1521)
Central Mexico through the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec to
Southern Mexico.
Aztecs Build an Empire
1325, Aztec farmers
settled on an island in
Lake Texcoco
(tays-KOH-koh) and
built a great city there.
Tradition says they
wandered for 100
years looking for a
sign as to where to
build their city.
The sign: They were
to look for an eagle
eating a snake perched
on a cactus growing
from a rock or cave
surrounded by water.
This is on the Mexican flag today.
The city:
Tenochtitlan
(tay-nawch-teet-LAHN)
Present day Mexico
City is built on top of
this island-city and
lake.
Aztecs conquered
nearby towns (many
Maya lived in these
towns after their
empire collapsed).
Demanded “tribute”
from these conquered
towns. Built them into
the strongest
Mesoamerican empire.
Difficulties of an island
city overcome:
Causeways (raised roads
over water or wet ground)
were built to get to the
island. Canals were also
built to aid travel.
Land was limited for
farming so they built
chinampas (floating
gardens). Soil was piled
on top of rafts which
were anchored to trees.
They grew food on these.
Life in the Empire
Much like the Maya
Empire. The Aztec king
was the most important
person. Society was
ranked just like the Maya.
Worshipped many gods
like the Maya and made
10,000 human sacrifices
per year. Conquered
neighbors to get victims
for the sacrifices. Tore
their hearts out.
Achievements
Stone pyramids,
jewelry and masks.
Astronomy – named
their gods after the
stars and planets,
accurate calendars like
the Maya.
Doctors made more than
1000 medicines from plants.
Cortes Conquers the Aztecs
Conquistadors - Spanish
conquerors sent to claim
land and riches for Spain,
and convert the people
to Catholicism.
Hernan Cortes –
Spanish Conquistador
Moctezuma (MAWK-tay-SOO-mah)
Aztec emperor or king.
Quetzalcoatl (ket-suhl-kuh-WAH-tuhl)
– god whom the Aztecs believed
would one day return to them.
Hernan Cortes arrived in
Mexico 1519. Many Aztecs
believed him to be the
returning god, Quetzalcoatl,
and Moctezuma welcomed
him into the city of
Tenochtitlan.
The Aztecs gave gold
and other gifts to this
“god,” but Cortes
wanted more.
He imprisoned
Moctezuma and started a
battle in which
Moctezuma was killed,
but the Spanish were
driven out of the city.
Cortes returned with
the help of other
people of the region
who hated the Aztecs
because of their harsh
rule.
Malinche was the daughter
of a Maya leader. She
became Cortes’ translator
and helped him
communicate with Aztecs.
The conquistadors had
better weapons
(armor, cannons and
swords),
and horses which
terrified the Aztecs.
Diseases like smallpox
also helped weaken
the Aztecs.
In 1521 the Aztec
Empire came to an
end.
Aztec People Today