AIM: How did the Aztecs build a great Empire?

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AIM How did the Aztecs build a great Empire? Do
Now What are the advantages to living in the
city below?
HW In a paragraph describe what your impression
of the Aztec empire would be if you could go back
in time and walk through one of their cities.
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• The Aztecs
• 1200-1521
• Geography
• South-central Mexico
• Mountainous area.
• Tenochtitlan Capital city
• Island in present day Mexico City.
• Chinampas floating gardens
• Conquering Principals
• Conquered people could govern themselves.
• Had to pay tribute (tax)
• Enemy Soldiers were used as sacrifice.
• Religion
• Polytheistic Over 1000 gods.
• Huitzilopochtli Sun God
• Human sacrifice

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Document 1
What tradition from Aztec society is being
depicted in this illustration?
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Document 2
Why was human sacrifice needed according to Aztec
beliefs?
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Document 3
What advantages did Aztec society have over other
Mesoamerican civilization?
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Document 4
Why did warriors dress themselves in animal
costumes in many cultures?
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Document 5
How was the tribute system both a strength and a
weakness? How are the army religious beliefs
linked in the Aztec Empire? How did human
sacrifice hurt the Aztec Empire?