The Aztecs: A Journey through Mesoamerica

Who were the Aztecs?

A Journey through Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica

A geographical region stretching from central Mexico to parts of Central America where the Aztecs lived. It includes modern-day Mexico and is known for its rich cultural heritage and ancient civilizations. Mesoamerica is a significant area for studying the Aztec civilization and its impact on the region.

Multiple Choice

What is the geographical region where the Aztecs lived?

• North America

• South America

• Mesoamerica

• Europe

The Aztecs

The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica or Tenochca, were the dominant culture in fifteenth and sixteenth-century Mesoamerica. The name 'Aztec' was given to them in the nineteenth century by a German explorer. They originated from Aztlan, their mythical homeland.

Multiple Choice

What was the name given to the Mexica (Tenochca) by a German explorer in the nineteenth century?

• Warriors

• Mayan

• Aztec

• Aztlan

Aztec Geography

Mesoamerica was rich in resources and provided a diverse environment for the Aztec civilization to thrive. The Aztecs built their capital city, Tenochtitlan, on an island in Lake Texcoco, showcasing their engineering prowess. The Aztec civilization flourished in Mesoamerica for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the lake that has the island where the Aztecs built their capital city?

• Lake Texarkana

• Lake Texcoco

• Lake Aztec

• Lake Livingston

The Aztecs

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico. They were known for their advanced agricultural practices, impressive architecture, and complex social structure. The Aztecs also had a rich mythology and religious beliefs, with their capital city, Tenochtitlan, being one of the largest cities in the world at the time.

The Aztec Empire

The Aztec Empire was an alliance of three city-states in Mesoamerica: Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. They spoke Nahuatl, and the word chocolate comes from the Nahuatl word xocolatl. Today, over one and a half million people in Mexico still speak Nahuatl.

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE? The Aztec Empire was an alliance of three city-states in Mesoamerica: Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan.

• TRUE

• FALSE

The Origin of Chocolate

Nahuatl is the language that gave us the word 'chocolate.' The ancient Aztecs and Mayans were the first to cultivate cacao beans and create a bitter drink called 'xocoatl.' The word 'chocolate' comes from the Nahuatl word 'chocolātl,' which means 'bitter water.'

Multiple Choice

What is the origin of the word 'chocolate'?

• French

• Nahuatl

• Spanish

• English

The Aztecs

• Capital City: Tenochtitlan

• Population: 200,000 in the capital, 5 million under Aztec rule

• Ruling Period: 13th century to 1521

• Defeated by: Conquistador Hernán Cortés

Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec Empire, located in Northern Mesoamerica. It was built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, and was known for its impressive architecture, intricate canal system, and vibrant markets. Today, the site of Tenochtitlan is occupied by Mexico City, the capital of Mexico.

Multiple Choice

Where was the capital city of the Aztec Empire located?

• Northern Mesoamerica

• Mexico City

• South America

• Present-day Europe

Tenochtitlan Population

Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, had a population of 200,000 in the 13th century to 1521. It was one of the largest cities in the world at that time.

Multiple Choice

What was the population of Tenochtitlan?

• 200,000

• 5 million

• 13th century to 1521

• Hernán Cortés

The Aztecs Ruling Period

The Aztecs ruled for over 200 years (1300 - 1521) until they were defeated by the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes in 1521.

Multiple Choice

Who defeated the Aztec Empire in 1521?

• The U.S.A. Armed Forces

• No one. They just disappeared.

• Spanish conquistador - Hernan Cortes

• Christopher Columbus

The Aztecs Food

The Aztecs grew maize (corn), beans, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, and chili peppers. They also grew fruits which included guavas, papayas, and apples. Meals included porridge and tortillas with beans. They made a chocolate drink by grinding roasted cacao pods into a powder and mixing it with hot water. Most Aztecs had a meal in the morning and their main meal mid-afternoon.

Multiple Select

What are some of the main foods consumed by the Aztecs? (Select all that apply)

• Maize, beans, squash, tomatoes

• Potatoes, chili peppers, guavas, papayas

• Apples, chocolate made from roasted cacao pods

• Porridge, tortillas with beans

Open Ended

What is the most interesting thing you learned about the Aztecs?