Itzcoatl: Alliances & War

Itzcoatl: Alliances & War

Pay attention to the information slides, you'll be tested as we go!

“We shall conquer all the people in the universe. I will make you lords and kings of every place in the world.” - Huitzilopochtli

The quote above is a prophecy from Huitzilopochtli.  

How might this prophecy affect their attitude toward other peoples and view themselves?

 

Itzcoatl

• The first home of the Aztecs in the Valley of Mexico had been with the Tepanec. The two societies got along because the Aztecs agreed to work for the Tepanec as mercenaries and labourers.

• The relationship between the two became strained when the leader of the Tepanec wanted more power. 

• In 1428, Itzcoatl was appointed Aztec leader, and he wanted to end Tepanec domination.

• Itzcoatl formed a Triple Alliance with the two city-states beside the Aztec, and they conquered and ruled the Valley of Mexico together. The defeated the Tepanec!

Multiple Choice

What did the Aztec work as for their powerful neighbours, the Tepanec?

• Farmers & Mercenaries

• Soldiers & Craftsmen

• Mercenaries & Labourers

• Fisherman & Architects

Multiple Choice

How did the Aztec defeat the Tepanec?

• Beheading their Emperor

• Forming the Triple Alliance

• They Never Did!

• Sheer Will

Itzcoatl

Itzcoatl was seen as the most capable leader, and was looked to by the other members of the Alliance as the ruler of the empire.

 

Even though he was born the son of a slave woman, he reached the highest position in Aztec society.

Itzcoatl

• Itzcoatl was the first out of six Aztec Emperors, and is referred to as the “Founder of the Empire.” 

• He established a hierarchical society. 

• He improved the military. 

• By the time the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, there were few independent territories left in Mesoamerica. The Aztec controlled most of the territory. 

Open Ended

Even though he was born the son of a slave woman, he reached the highest position in Aztec society. What does this say about the opportunities for upward mobility among the Aztec?

The Aztec Rise to Power 

By 1465, the region from the Pacific, to the Gulf of Mexico was under control of the Alliance. All except Tlaxcalan. 

The Aztec remained in constant conflict with the Tlaxcalan Republic. (Foreshadowing...)  

A Warrior Society - As soon as an Aztec boy was born, his parents placed a tiny bow and shield in his hands.

• Military service was compulsory among the Aztecs. Law required every man to serve in the army

• The worst insult to the Aztecs was to call someone a coward; a lack of courage in any soldier weakened the army and threatened the state.

• They firmly believed the group was more important than the individual.

Multiple Choice

Who was referred to as "The Founder of the Aztec Empire"?

• Moctezuma

• Huitzilopochtli

• Itzcoatl

• Quetzalcoatl

Multiple Choice

Military service was mandatory in Aztec society.

• False

• True

Multiple Choice

Who did the Aztec remain in constant conflict with?

• Texcocos

• Tlaxcalans

• Teotihuacans

• Toltecs

Fill in the Blanks

The worst insult to the Aztec was to call someone a

Aztec society developed around a culture of war. They would conquer smaller, weaker societies first, then the more powerful isolated altepetl (city-state). When the Aztec defeated a city state, they typically attacked their temples, took hostages, and negotiated tribute. The 2 goals of battle:

• To seek an honourable defeat for the enemy and then make them pay tribute and pay labour to the empire.

• To gain soldiers for the human sacrifice to the god Huitzilopochtli

Key features in Aztec dominance: strong military and good alliances

The empire eventually included 50 city-states!

The Aztec did not try to reorganize (politically or spiritually) the societies they defeated. 

The Aztec did not leave behind a garrison.

When a city-state was defeated, its citizens were required to 

• promise allegiance to the emperor

• pay tribute to him in either goods or services

• worship the god Huitzilopochtli, along with their own gods

Open Ended

During the reign of Itzcoatl, warriors became an elite group in society. What does this illustrate about the worldview of the Aztec?

Open Ended

What were possible reasons for the Aztec to allow their conquered city-states to maintain their own societal norms and customs? Explain.