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Transcript
History of Early Section 2: The Aztecs Name_____ Subject____ Date_____ Period____ THE AZTECS BUILD AN EMPIRE The first Aztecs were poor farmers who migrated south to central Mexico. Other tribes had taken the good farmland, so the Aztecs settled on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco (tays-KOH-koh). In 1325, they began building their capital here. War was key to the Aztecs’ rise to power. The Aztec warriors conquered many towns and made the conquered people pay tributes of cotton, gold, or food. The Aztecs also controlled a large trade network. The Aztecs’ power and wealth was most visible in the capital, Tenochtitlán (tay-NAWCHteet-LAHN). The Aztecs built three causeways to connect the island city to the lakeshore. At its peak, Tenochtitlán had about 200,000 people. The city had temples, a palace, and a busy market. LIFE IN THE EMPIRE Aztec society had clearly defined social classes. The king was the most important person. He was in charge of law, trade, tribute, and warfare. The nobles, including tax collectors and judges, helped the king with his duties. Below the king and nobles were priests and warriors. Priests had great influence over Aztecs. Warriors were highly respected. Below priests and warriors were merchants and artisans, and then farmers and laborers. Slaves were lowest in society. The Aztecs believed that gods ruled all parts of life and sacrifice was necessary to keep the gods happy. In rituals priests cut open victim’s chests to give blood to the gods and sacrificed nearly 10,000 humans a year. The Aztecs studied astronomy. Their calendar was much like the Maya calendar. The Aztecs had a rich artistic tradition and their own writing system. They also had a strong oral tradition. CORTÉS CONQUERS THE AZTECS In 1519 Hernán Cortés (er-NAHN kawr-TEZ) led a group of Spanish conquerors called conquistadors into Mexico. Their motives were to seek gold, claim land, and spread their religion. The Aztec ruler, Moctezuma II (MAWK-tay-SOO-mah), thought Cortés was a god. Moctezuma gave Cortés many gifts, including gold. Wanting more gold, Cortés took Moctezuma prisoner. Enraged, the Aztecs attacked the Spanish. They drove the Spanish out of the city, but Moctezuma was killed. To defeat the Aztecs, the Spanish allied with people who resented the Aztec rulers. Together they used guns and rode horses. The Spanish also carried diseases like smallpox that killed many Aztecs. In 1521 the Spanish brought the Aztec Empire to an end. Complete the following questions: 1. Where did the Aztec civilization develop and why? 2. What was the major reason that made the Aztecs so powerful? 3. Describe Tenochtitlan. 4. Explain the Aztec social hierarchy. 5. Describe the religion of the Aztec civilization. 6. List some of the achievements of the Aztecs? Facts from the video: