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Section 3 The Aztecs Control Central Mexico Through alliances and conquest, the Aztecs create a powerful empire in Mexico. NEXT SECTION 3 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 . . . NEXT SECTION 3 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 NEXT SECTION 3 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 . . . NEXT SECTION 3 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 NEXT SECTION 3 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 NEXT SECTION 3 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 NEXT SECTION 3 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 NEXT