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Section 3
The Aztecs Control
Central Mexico
Through alliances and conquest, the
Aztecs create a powerful empire in Mexico.
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The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
The Valley of Mexico
Geography
• Mountain basin 7,500 feet above sea level, large
lakes, fertile soil
• Teotihuacán and Toltec settle in valley, develop
civilizations
An Early City-State
• Teotihuacán city-state rises in first century A.D.
• At peak, in 500s, city has up to 200,000 people
• Serves as center of trade, especially of obsidian—
volcanic glass
• City quickly declines; by 750 is abandoned
Continued . . .
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continued The
Valley of Mexico
Toltecs Take Over
• About 900, Toltecs rise to power; rule for about
300 years
• 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 god
• He is exiled to Yucatán Peninsula; by early
1200s, Toltec rule ends
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The Aztec Empire
Arrival of the Aztecs
• Aztecs (or Mexica) arrive around 1200, begin
working as soldiers
• By own legend, a god leads them to found city of
Tenochtitlán
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
Continued . . .
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continued The
Aztec Empire
Nobles Rule Aztec Society
• 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
• Emperor’s power is absolute, lives in palace, is
revered
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Tenochtitlán: A Planned City
Extraordinary Urban Center
• 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
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Religion Rules Aztec Life
Many Gods
• Religion includes 1,000 gods, many adopted from
other peoples
Religious Practices
• Center of religion is public ceremonies to win gods’
favor
• Many religious festivals throughout year
Sacrifices for the Sun God
• Most important rituals are for sun god, Huitzilopochtli
• He needs human sacrifices to be strong
• Aztecs engage in war to provide captives for these
sacrifices
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Problems in the Aztec Empire
A New Ruler
• In 1502, Montezuma II becomes emperor; he
calls for more tribute
• These sacrifices lead to revolt in outlying areas
• Emperor tries to make life easier, but Aztecs
worry about future
• Soon after, Spanish arrive
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