THE AZTECS THE AZTECS AN OVERVIEW The Aztecs

THE AZTECS

THE AZTECS: AN OVERVIEW • The Aztecs began to migrate to the Valley of Mexico around 1100 CE • They took power there very gradually and by 1300 CE they had a large empire • This only lasted until Spanish conquest in 1520 CE • The Aztecs are known for their fierce warriors and fanatic dedication to their religion, including human sacrifice! • Please complete the Aztec Overview and be prepared to share

MAP Tlacopan Texcoco

VOCAB Vocab Nahuatl Mexica Picture or Symbol Definition - Language of the Aztec - Spoken history and traditions - Some writing (pictoral, no alphabet) - Recorded tributes, history, and passage of time - Name the Aztecs used for themselves - Where we get “Mexico”

VOCAB Vocab Picture or Symbol - God-King that brought life to Aztecs - Promised to return so the Aztec thought Hernan Cortez was him! Quetzalcoa tl Person Itzcoatl Definition Picture or Symbol Contributions - Early Aztec ruler (1426) - Set up triple alliance

PEOPLE Person Tlacaelel Picture or Symbol Contributions - Montezuma Counsellor of Itzcoatl Increased human sacrifices Set up judicial system, army and made travelling merchants like CIA officers Changed Aztec history - Leader when the Spanish overthrew the Aztec Empire - Thought Hernan Cortez was a god - “Montezuma’s revenge”

PEOPLE Person Dona Maria Hernan Cortez Picture or Symbol Contributions - Mexica translator and companion to Hernan Cortez - Spanish conquistador that defeated the Aztec - Superior technology and allied with Aztec enemies against them