The Aztecs Chapter 6 Lesson 3

1
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• A Mesoamerican Civilization
• They were much like the Olmec and Maya
• Economy based on farming
• Grew maize, beans, and other crops
• Built with stone-made monuments and pyramids
• Polytheistic-worshipped many Gods

2
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• One thing the Aztecs did that others didnt
  was build a great empire.

3
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Early Aztec History
• Started as regular Mesoamericans and called
  themselves Mexica (me CHEE ka).
• Served as mercenaries which are hired soldiers
• Mid-1300s they stopped wandering and created a
  city

4
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Early Aztec History
• They settled in the swampy land that was left
  called Lake Texcoco (tay SKOH koh)
• They named it Tenochtitlan (te noch tee TLAHN)
• It was overcrowded so they built islands called
  chinampas.

5
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Early Aztec History
• Chinampas were made by
• anchoring wicker baskets to the shallow bottom
  of lake Texcoco.
• The baskets were filled with cut plants and mud.
  
• Mud and plants were piled by layer and layer
  until they came up above the water.

6
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Early Aztec History
• Causeways (raised bridges) were used to connect
  the artificial islands.
• They formed alliances with other city-states to
  work together

7
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• The Aztec Empire
• Became the most densely populated city at that
  time
• Moctezuma I- ruled the empire at first and
  expanded it east and south
• Aztecs often forced other city-states to pay
  taxes in gold.

8
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• The Aztec Empire
• All young men were trained to fight
• They were honored for fighting
• Success in battle brought wealth and prisoners

9
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Aztec Life
• Aztecs also grew cacao beans which were used to
  make chocolate. ?
• They also grew tomatoes and squash

10
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Aztec Life
• Religion was very important
• Like the Olmecs they worshipped a winged serpent
  called Quetzalcoatl (khet zahl koo WAH tahl)
• They believed he was the God of creation.
• He influenced rain, wind, and clouds
• They also had religious ceremonies based on
  agricultural events.

11
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Sacrifices
• Humans were sacrificed in order to honor their
  Gods
• Believed that even the sun needed to be fueled by
  sacrifices
• Human heart was most precious gift to offer Gods
• Prisoners of war were mostly used for sacrifice
  but their own were sacrificed too.
• One estimate says 250,000 were sacrificed each
  year

12
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Violent End
• 1502 Moctezuma II. became emperor and brought a
  lot of power and wealth.
• Hornando Cortes led Spanish into Tenochtitlan.
• Moctezuma did not fight them
• Some believe he thought he was quetzalcoatl
• Moctezuma II. was taken prisoner

13
The AztecsChapter 6 Lesson 3

• Violent End
• Aztecs then tried to fight back and were
  unsuccessful.
• 1521Spanish conquest was complete
• Aztec empire was no more