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Name Class Date Chapter 15 The Aztec and Inca Empires Section 1 HSS 7.7 MAIN IDEAS 1. The Aztecs built an empire through warfare and trade, and created an impressive capital city in Mesoamerica. 2. Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire. Students compare and contrast the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Meso-American and Andean civilizations. Key Terms and People raised paths across water or wet ground conquistadors Spanish soldiers and explorers Hernán Cortés Spanish conquistador leader who conquered the Aztec Empire Moctezuma II Aztec ruler who mistook Cortés for a god, leading to the Aztec’s downfall causeways Section Summary THE AZTECS BUILD AN EMPIRE The first Aztecs were poor farmers from northern Mexico. They migrated south in the 1100s. Other tribes had taken the farmland, so the Aztecs settled on a swampy island in the middle of Lake Texcoco (tays-KOH-koh). By the early 1500s, the Aztecs ruled the most powerful empire in Mesoamerica. War was key to the Aztecs’ rise to power. The fierce Aztec warriors conquered many towns. The Aztecs made the people in the cities they conquered pay tribute with goods like cotton, gold, or food. This system was the basis of the Aztec economy. The Aztecs also controlled a huge trade network. Most towns in the empire had a market. Nowhere was the Aztec Empire’s power and wealth more visible than in its capital, Tenochtitlán (tay-NAWCH-teet-LAHN). The city’s island location made travel and trade difficult, so the Aztecs built three wide causeways connecting the island to the shore. The water around the capital Where were the humble origins of the mighty Aztecs? What were the two key ways that the Aztecs became rich, even if they did not have their own farmland? Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Chapter 15 106 Interactive Reader and Study Guide Name Class Date Section 1, continued was undrinkable. For fresh water, the Aztecs built a stone channel to bring water from far away. With little farmland available, they built “floating gardens” on rafts tied to trees in the water. At its height, Tenochtitlán was one of the world’s largest cities, with some 200,000 people. The city featured a stunning array of temples and palaces, and a busy market. But the arrival of Europeans soon destroyed the city—and the Aztec Empire. CORTÉS CONQUERS THE AZTECS In the late 1400s Spanish explorers and soldiers called conquistadors arrived in the Americas, seeking gold and desiring to spread their religion. Hernán Cortés (er-NAHN kawr-TAYS) led conquistadors into Mexico in 1519. The ruler of the Aztecs, Moctezuma II (MAWK-tay-SOO-mah), thought Cortés was a god. Moctezuma sent Cortés many gifts, including gold. Wanting more gold, Cortés marched to the Aztec capital. When he got there Moctezuma welcomed him, but Cortés took the emperor prisoner. Enraged, the Aztecs attacked the Spanish and drove them out of the city. In the confusion Moctezuma was killed. Before long Cortés and his men came back, this time with reinforcements. In 1521 they conquered Tenochtitlán. To defeat the empire, the Spanish allied with tribes who did not like paying the Aztec rulers. The conquistadors used guns and rode horses. Their attack terrified the Aztecs, who had never seen guns or horses before. The Spanish also carried diseases like smallpox from Europe. These diseases weakened and killed many Aztecs. Underline the colorful phrase that describes the ingenious farming method developed by the Aztecs. Why do you think Aztec leader Moctezuma II invited Hernán Cortés into the capital city? How did Cortés’ respond to Moctezuma’s invitation? CHALLENGE ACTIVITY Critical Thinking: Drawing Inferences What do you think about Hernán Cortés and his actions toward the Aztecs? Write a one-page opinion paper defending your point of view, giving at least three examples to support your opinion. HSS Analysis Skills CR 5, HI 1 Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Chapter 15 107 Interactive Reader and Study Guide