The Early Americas

The Early Americas - The Aztec Empire

By Eddie Pickle

The Aztec Empire

The Aztecs built an empire through war and trade and created an impressive capitol city in Mesoamerica. The first Aztecs were farmers. But when they arrived in Central America all the good farm land was taken. So, to survive, they had to hire themselves out as warriors.

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The Aztec Empire

The Aztecs' Rise to Power

War was the key aspect in the Aztecs' rise to power. They built alliances, or partnerships, to build their empire. They made the people they conquered pay tribute or give them cotton, gold, or food. The Aztecs controlled a huge trade network. Markets drew buyers and sellers from all over the Aztec empire. And by the 1500s, they had the most powerful state in Mesoamerica.

Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec empire. It was built in the middle of a lake, on an island. They build causeways, or raised roads across water or wet ground, so people could access the city. They build canals to bring water to the city and floating gardens to raise food and flowers. The city had huge temples, a busy market, clean streets, and magnificent palaces. It was the greatest city in the Americas during the time of the Aztecs.

Hernan Cortez Conquers the Aztec Empire

In the late 1400s, Spanish explorers and soldiers arrived in the Americas. The soldiers, or conquistadors, came to explore new lands, search for gold, and spread the Catholic religion.

Cortes Conquers the Aztec Empire

A small group of conquistadors led by Cortés reached Mexico in 1519. Moctezuma II, the Aztec leader, believed that Cortés was a god. Moctezuma sent Cortés gifts, including gold. Cortés wanted more gold, so he went to Moctezuma. Cortés took Moctezuma prisoner. The other Aztecs attacked Cortés and his men. The Spanish were driven out, but Moctezuma was killed. Cortés returned with many Indian allies and in 1521 they defeated the Aztecs and ended their empire.

Cortez Conquers the Aztec Empire

Causes for the the defeat of the Aztecs

1. Alliances The Spanish had made allies in the region who gave them supplies, information, and warriors.

2. ​Weapons The Spanish had better weapons than the Aztecs. They had cannons, armor, swords, and horses that the Aztecs did not have.

Hernan Cortez Conquers the Aztec Empire

Causes for the the defeat of the Aztecs

3. Geography The Spanish were able to cut off the capital city. The people had no food or water, so many Aztecs died of starvation.

​ 4. Disease The Spanish had unknowingly brought deadly diseases such as smallpox to the Americas. These diseases killed the Aztecs, who had never been exposed to such diseases.

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Hernan Cortez Conquers the Aztec Empire

Causes for the the defeat of the Aztecs

4. Disease The Spanish had unknowingly brought deadly diseases such as smallpox to the Americas. These diseases killed the Aztecs, who had never been exposed to such diseases.

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Open Ended

What is a causeway and why did the Aztecs build them?

Open Ended

How did the Aztecs adapt to their island location?

Open Ended

How might Tenochtitlan's location benefited the Aztecs?

Open Ended

Who was the Aztec leader when Hernan Cortez arrived in Mexico?

Open Ended

Why did Moctezuma give gifts to Cortez?