AZTEC RISE TO POWER pg 249 By the

AZTEC RISE TO POWER pg 249 By the early 1500’s, The Aztec controlled most independent territories in Meso. America, but it took a lot of work to gain this much power…

Rising to power… • To be truly respected, Meso-American societies needed to be descendants of the Toltec. – Aztec claimed the Toltec as their ancestors Why do you think this ancestry was important? Can you think of any examples of where ancestry is important today?

Rising to power… • In addition to claiming Toltec heritage, the Aztecs: – formed alliances with other rulers, often through the use of arranged marriages • Europeans often did this as well. In 1376, one of these marriages really paid off. Emperor Acamapichtli was the son of a Culhua princess, and therefore was actually part of the Toltec line. Every Aztec emperor after that had a legitimate claim of Toltec heritage.

Rising to power… • 1428 - Emperor Itzcoatl forms triple alliance to fight rival Tepanec. – Itzcoatl becomes most powerful leader in the alliance. Aztecs attain dominance in the region. • By 1465, only the Tlaxacan republic had not been conquered by the Aztec.

Conquering New Societies Aztec life: A Culture of WAR Prisoners of war sacrificed. Great warriors to protect and expand empire

Military Strategy • First, they conquered weaker societies to isolate the stronger altepetl (city-state). • Attacked temples, took hostages, negotiated tribute.

• Aztec did not reorganize conquered societies. They let people carry on their own beliefs and customs • However, if a conquered group ever did anything against the Emperor’s wishes, they would be brutally attacked.

Height of Aztec Power • Empire eventually included 50 city-states • Tenochtitlan - beautiful city and temples

Height of Aztec Power Highly trained and effective warriors Lots of gold and silver – very rich

Height of Aztec Power Sophisticated political structure - hierarchy

So, what can we learn about the Aztec worldview from their history?