The Aztecs

The Aztecs

IntroductionThe Aztec tribe lived in ancient Mexico for about 400 years.

For the first 200 years, the Aztecs were constantly on the move. No one wanted the Aztecs as neighbors. The Aztecs practiced human sacrifice. They believed that if their gods were not fed, they would not do their jobs. The sun god would not bring up the sun, and everyone would die.

Some of the people they sacrificed were Aztecs. However, most of the people they sacrificed were captured from neighboring tribes.

This did not make them popular with their neighbors. Sooner or later, their neighbors would band together to chase the Aztecs away.

For 200 years the Aztecs wandered looking for a place to call home

The Aztecs find a home

When the Aztecs first arrived in the Valley of Mexico, other tribes were already living on the best land in the area. One of the Kings in the Valley realized it would not be fun to fight with the Aztecs. (They were really tough). He offered the Aztecs a small piece of deadly snake – filled swamp land, hoping the swamp and snakes would kill the Aztecs.

This time, rather than fight for the best land or for captives to feed their hungry gods, the Aztecs quietly settled along the swampy shores of Lake Texcoco. They built canoes so they could fish, hunt waterfowl, and trade with other tribes.

(Oh and as for the deadly snakes…. the Aztecs feasted on roasted snake and built a great empire. Told you they were tough)

Successful Farming

The Floating GardensAs the Aztec population grew, more food was needed. To solve this problem, Aztec engineers created “floating” gardens. They built a series of rafts, which they anchored to the lake bed. They piled on dirt and grew crops. They made walkways out of mud and reeds to connect the floating rafts. The gardens were quite successful. The Aztecs grew chili peppers, squash, corn, tomatoes, and beans.

Specialization of Jobs

No matter which school an Aztec boy attended, he was trained to be a specialist. Boys studied how to be farmers, traders, engineers, builders, astronomers, and doctors. Students who became builders and engineers designed and built the amazing Aztec cities, including the capital city of Tenochtitlan, located on the swampy shores of Lake Texcoco.

Social Class SystemThe Emperor or King

Nobles

Commoners

Unskilled Labors

Slaves

Traders

Farmers

PriestsHonored Soldiers

Common Soldiers

Noble family – traced their ancestors to the first king

Complex form of Trade

The Aztecs did not have a extensive trading system. Their empire was built on brute strength. They conqueredother people, who paid them tribute.

The Aztecs did trade but it was not a primary source ofPower for them. The lack of pack animals (they only had llamas until the Spanish arrived) and carts (they had wheelson children’s toys but never thought to use them onBigger things).

Traders were valued in Aztec society and could becomenobles if they were successful.

Organized religion & educationThe Aztecs had many beliefs. They believed the sun fought darkness every night and rose to save mankind. They believed the earth was flat. They believed that if they fed the sun blood, it would rise. This belief caused them to sacrifice humans to make their gods happy. It made them unpopular with their neighbors, who didn’t like dying for someone else’s god.

They also believed in 13 heavens and 9 hells. The Aztecs respected their gods very much. They put their greatest efforts into making strong, beautiful temples to please their gods. They drew pictures that told about their gods. They recorded religious events with hieroglyphics and even number symbols. The Aztecs worshipped about 1,000 gods!

But they worshipped the sun god the most.

Religion cont.

Priests and priestesses were very important people. They acted as doctors, and taught science, art, writing, music, dance, history, and counting. They also had to know astronomy and astrology. They had to perform difficult ceremonies.

Religion – cont.

Free School for EveryoneTo build the city they wanted, they knew that they would need many engineers, builders, and traders. This required an educated population. To solve this problem, the Aztecs set up a system of public schools. Attendance was mandatory for all Aztec children, even girls and slaves.

The Aztecs were the only people up to that time in history to have free schools that every child had to attend.

All-Girls SchoolThere were three different schools: one for girls, and two for boys.

Girls learned about religion and were trained to be good wives and mothers. They learned how to cook, sew, and how to care for their children. They also learned how to make beautiful woven textiles.

Sons of the Upper ClassSons of the upper class went to the nobles’ school. Sons of wealthy traders and merchants also went to this school. They studied law, writing (hieroglyphics), medicine, engineering and building, interpretation of dreams and omens, and self-expression. They also learned about their history and religious beliefs.

It was a tough school. The boys were humiliated and tormented to toughen them up.

Sons of Commoners and Slaves

The other boys’ school was for sons of commoners. Its main goal was to train warriors and farmers. Boys had to sleep under skimpy blankets. They were given hard bread to eat.

The commoners’ school also taught history, religion, manners, correct behavior, and important rituals, along with singing and dancing.

Inventions & The Arts

Causeways and Bridges that linked the islands of their great capital city of Tenochtitlan together.Structures – Statues, Pyramids, Temples  Stelas – Memorial pillars commemorating their gods and major events  Codices (sacred texts) The Aztecs had a written language of hieroglyphics, similar to but not the same as the Maya writings.

Inventions & The Arts

Woven fabrics   Basket weaving   Aztec Ball Game Popcorn Chocolate

The Fall of the Aztecs

When the Aztec chief Montezuma saw the Spanish explorer, Cortez, and his soldiers, he thought the god Quetzalcoatl had returned reclaim his land.

This saved the Spanish temporarily, giving Cortez a chance to regroup his soldiers and figure out how to conquer the vast Aztec.

Cortez had three things the Aztecs didn’t Armor & Guns Horses & Big Dogs Small Pox