AIM: How did the Aztecs build a great Empire?
Do Now: What are the advantages to living in the city below?
HW: In a paragraph describe what your impression of
the Aztec empire would be if you could go back in time
and walk through one of their cities.
The Aztecs
1200-1521
I. Geography
1. South-central Mexico
A. Mountainous area.
2. Tenochtitlan: Capital city
A. Island in present day Mexico City.
B. Chinampas: “floating gardens”
II. Conquering Principals
1. Conquered people could govern themselves.
A. Had to pay tribute (tax)
2. Enemy Soldiers were used as sacrifice.
III. Religion
1. Polytheistic – Over 1000 gods.
A. Huitzilopochtli – Sun God
i. Human sacrifice
Document 1
What tradition from Aztec society is being depicted in this illustration?
Document 2
Why was human sacrifice needed according to Aztec beliefs?
Document 3
What advantages did Aztec society have over other Mesoamerican
civilization?
Document 4
Why did warriors dress themselves in animal costumes in many cultures?
Document 5
How was the tribute system both a strength and a weakness?
How are the army & religious beliefs linked in the Aztec Empire?
How did human sacrifice hurt the Aztec Empire?