Rise of the Aztec Empire

Rise of the Aztec Empire

The first Aztecs (or, as they called themselves, the Mexica pronounced meh-SHEE-ka), were likely farmers from a northern nation known as the Toltec. Around 1150, the Toltec were conquered and the Aztecs migrated south to the valley of Mexico, and especially to the shores of the large chain of lakes in that basin. The three largest lakes were connected by marshes; together they provided a rich aquatic environment. The lakes became the cultural heartland and population center of Mesoamerica, with various peoples and cities vying for control of the lakes. The winner of this struggle would be the Aztecs, who would eventually go on to build a great empire.

War, Tribute, and Trade

In the 1300s, the area around Lake Texcoco was dominated by several tribes that were organized into city-states. Each city claimed to be the rightful heir to the Toltecs, but no single city could gain control. A pushy and aggressive group, the Aztecs were distrusted and disliked by the dominant powers of the area, but their superior fighting skills could be put to use, and this made them attractive as mercenaries for hire between warring city-states. Due to their reputation as tough warriors during warfare, the Aztecs were both valued and feared. They would eventually establish their own city-state on the marshy island in Lake Texcoco, which was called the city of Tenochtitlan.

From this secure base, the Aztec began to take an active role in area politics. Aztecs united in a triple alliance with two other cities,Tlacopan and Texcoco. With the help of their allies, they would defeat all other city-states and became the superior political presence. Once they had established dominance, the Aztec made conquered cities pay tribute such as cotton, gold, food, and land.Sometimes they would also force conquered cities to provide military service for the growing Aztec Empire.

The city of Tenochtitlan and the Aztecs were the military power, which led the conquest of new territory. Unlike their Mayan counterparts, the Aztec society was under the authority of one supreme ruler. But the Aztec ruler did not rule every city-state directly. Instead, local governments would remain in place, but would be forced to show loyalty and tribute to the Aztecs.

Finally, the Aztecs controlled a huge trade network. Most towns in the empire had a market where local farmers, merchants, and artisans brought their goods to trade. Many of these same peoples would travel to the enormous market near the capital, where buyers and sellers from all over the Aztec Empire came to sell their products. Merchants carried luxury goods such as gems and rare food to sell there. Along with tribute from conquered cities, this made the Aztecs extremely wealthy,and this also established Tenochtitlan as the premier city-state in Mesoamerica.

Draw it how you see it!

Go back through the Rise of the Aztec Empire article and highlight major events, then illustrate these major events in four panels below. (a) each panel should include at least TWO textbubbles, (b) all panels should include a background to indicate where it is taking place, (c) all panels must be colored, and (d) drawings should be neat, no stick people!