Before the aztec's empire
-Around 1100 AD, the Aztecs left their original homeland, believed to be somewhere in north Mexico. They traveled south and then in approximately 1200 AD, they arrived to the Valley of Mexico. When they got there, most of the good territory was already occupied by people such as the Calhuacan tribe. So the Aztec decided to settle in a swampy island in the middle of Lake Texcoco.
-In 1250, they attempted to settle in Chapultepec, but the the Calhuacan tribe drove them out. The Aztecs kept on trying to settle in one place. They came upon a swampy island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. Afterwards, they founded their capital Tenochtitlan, which is present day Mexico City. Tenochtitlan was chosen because when the Aztec were searching for a new homeland, it was foretold it was the site where an eagle would be holding a snake while standing on a cactus.
-In 1250, they attempted to settle in Chapultepec, but the the Calhuacan tribe drove them out. The Aztecs kept on trying to settle in one place. They came upon a swampy island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. Afterwards, they founded their capital Tenochtitlan, which is present day Mexico City. Tenochtitlan was chosen because when the Aztec were searching for a new homeland, it was foretold it was the site where an eagle would be holding a snake while standing on a cactus.
beginning and end of empire
-1430-1521 AD
rise TO power
-The Aztecs were fierce warriors, so naturally war how they first came into power. They wanted tribute from all the cities they conquered from war. Also, the Aztecs controlled a vast trade network, which made the Aztec wealthy. However, the Aztecs weren't completely in power yet.
-When the Tepanec ruler Tezozomoc had died, there was conflict with who was going to be the next heir. The Aztecs, who were paying taxes to the Tepanecs, wanted Tezozomoc's preferred heir Tayahuah, to rule. However, Tayahuah's brother Maxtla, wanted to rule. Even
thought he was opposed by many, including the Aztec leader Chimalpopoca, he relentlessly pursued the throne. It was rumored that when Chimalpopoca was murdered, Maxtla had something to do with it.
-Later on, the next Aztec leader arose, who was named Itzcoatl. Itzcoatl rebelled against Maxtla, who now reigned over the Tepanecs. Maxtla countered by raising the tribute on the Aztecs. Itzcoatl then allied himself with the cities of Texcoco and Tlacopan, and together they defeated the Tepanecs. They successfully defeated the Tepanecs and then made a powerful agreement known as the triple alliance and the beginning of the Aztec Empire. After that they divided the land between themselves, 2/5 when to Tenochtitlan, 2/5 went to Texcoco and 1/5 went to Tlacopan. The Aztecs were soon able to conquer most of middle America.
-When the Tepanec ruler Tezozomoc had died, there was conflict with who was going to be the next heir. The Aztecs, who were paying taxes to the Tepanecs, wanted Tezozomoc's preferred heir Tayahuah, to rule. However, Tayahuah's brother Maxtla, wanted to rule. Even
thought he was opposed by many, including the Aztec leader Chimalpopoca, he relentlessly pursued the throne. It was rumored that when Chimalpopoca was murdered, Maxtla had something to do with it.
-Later on, the next Aztec leader arose, who was named Itzcoatl. Itzcoatl rebelled against Maxtla, who now reigned over the Tepanecs. Maxtla countered by raising the tribute on the Aztecs. Itzcoatl then allied himself with the cities of Texcoco and Tlacopan, and together they defeated the Tepanecs. They successfully defeated the Tepanecs and then made a powerful agreement known as the triple alliance and the beginning of the Aztec Empire. After that they divided the land between themselves, 2/5 when to Tenochtitlan, 2/5 went to Texcoco and 1/5 went to Tlacopan. The Aztecs were soon able to conquer most of middle America.
The aztec's demise
Hernan Cortez
Hernan Cortez, the leader of his group of conquistadors,set out to find the "new world" which was the Americas to claim land, gold, and to convert the people there to Catholics. Americas. When he arrived in the Aztec's land the Aztec's treated the new arrivals as gods, believing Cortez to be the god Quetzalcoatl, whom the Aztecxs thought left Mexico a long time ago and was to return in the year 1519, which was the year Cortez arrived. Cortez and his conquistadors were overcome with greed and took over. Cortez kidnapped the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II. When the Aztec fought back, they managed to drive out their invaders, but Moctezuma II was killed in the chaos. In a little less than a year, the conquistadors came back, this time they allied themselves with the cities the Aztecs demanded tribute from. Those cities were sick of the Aztec's harsh rule so they agreed easily. With the overwhelming allied forces, and the conquistadors' better weapons contributed to the Aztec's defeat. Also, diseases the Spanish brought with them such as smallpox, wiped out most of the Aztecs. In 1521, the Aztecs surrendered. Their powerful empire came to a quick end.
Aztec territory
What's Left?
The Aztec stone calendar
-There are a few things left from the Aztec empire such as the Aztec stone calendar and the pyramids they built.
legacy and major contributions
-The Nahua people can trace their origins to the Aztec people. Most Nahua people even speak the same language as the Aztecs, Nahuatl. The Nahua people also plant maize, which is corn, weave cloth, and play instruments such as the long drum. Also, Aztec art influences Mexican art very much, in fact, the Mexican artist Diego Rivera's art showed Aztec influence. Also, spanish dishes such as enchiladas, guacamole, tacos, and tamales use ingredients the Aztec used. Also, how the Aztec came across Tenochtitlan is represented in the Mexican flag.
-The Aztec people had some interesting contributions that we take for granted in our daily lives. For example, they used antispasmodic medication to prevent muscles spasm. Not only that, but they grew maize (corn), beans, and tomatoes. They were the first to have mandatory education. Also, they were the ones who created chocolate. You can thank them the next time you eat a milky way bar!
-The Aztec people had some interesting contributions that we take for granted in our daily lives. For example, they used antispasmodic medication to prevent muscles spasm. Not only that, but they grew maize (corn), beans, and tomatoes. They were the first to have mandatory education. Also, they were the ones who created chocolate. You can thank them the next time you eat a milky way bar!