03_Ch16: Peoples and Empires in the Americas: Aztecs Control Central Mexico

FQ: How did the Mexica (Aztecs) build and maintain a fast-growing empire engulfing central Mexico?
Timeline: 8th C. BCE - 16th C.

Main Idea: Through alliances and conquest, the Mexica created a powerful empire in Central Mexico.
Previously held ideas about the Mexica having an "Old World" style empire have had to be modified. This
civilization had much to distinguish itself from Europeans and Mesoamericans alike.

CCSS

I. Vocabulary
A. Aztec: This name is derived from the mythical homeland of the Nahua-speaking peoples,
Aztln. All Nahua-speaking peoples of the Central Mexican valley were technically Aztec.
However, the specific subgroup of Nahua-speaking people that dominated the valley prior to the
Encounter were called Mexica. This ancestral land is believed to have been northwest of current-
day Mexico City, not far south from the current U.S. Mexico border.
B. Nahuatl: Oral language of the Mexica. Spoken among a very small segment of the Mexican
population today. A noticeable characteristic of this language is the pairing of the T and L
sounds (Ex. Tenochtitln, Nahuatl, & Tlatoani).

II. Mexica
A. Context
1. Time: ~1160 1519 CE
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2. Place:
a. Land of origin was Northwest Mexico
b. Migrate to Central Mexican Valley (Mythical/ Historical Reasons)
c. Lake Texcoco: The lake which becomes home for the Mexica. Once located
where Mexico city now exists. The largest island in this lake becomes
Tenochtitln (City of the Tenochs)- capital of the Mexica.
3. Circumstance
a. Originally Nomadic, the Mexica become sedentary when they settle in the
central Mexican valley.
b. Continual conflict with neighboring peoples=> When the Mexica settle
Tenochtitln, they become soldiers for hire (Mercenaries) for the peoples living
along the lakes basin. In return for their services, the Mexica receive
compensation.
B. Political
1. Conquest & Triple Alliance: The Mexica became the dominant partner in an alliance
with two other lakeside peoples. Together, the alliance partners expanded and then
maintained rule over a million subjects.
2. Tlatoani: A title meaning Speaker. This title was conferred on individuals with
communal leadership roles or the administrative head of the alliance. Once Tenochtitln
became the empire's principal city, its ruler became the undisputed sovereign of the
entire empire. He was simultaneously the empire's administrative, military, and religious
leader. Since the Mexica were the dominant member of the alliance, the Tlatoani was
chosen from among the Mexica nobility.
3. Tribute System: Subject peoples of the Triple Alliance would offer tribute on a regular
basis. Tributary status could also be conferred on non-subject peoples who wish to
maintain peaceful relations with the Mexica-led alliance. The form of the tribute was
always the same=> a valuable manufactured or natural product: Woven cotton cloth,
Quetzal Feather Cloak, and Obsidian tools; Cacao beans, Corn, Quetzal feathers, and
Obsidian.
The civilization had not yet reached its height when Hernan Cortes arrives in 1519
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03_Ch16: Peoples and Empires in the Americas: Aztecs Control Central Mexico
C. Social
1. Mexica Family: The base family unit consisted of two parents and their unmarried
children. The main function of parents was the education of the children and food
preparation.

2. Calpulli: While extended families farmed the land, they usually did not own it. They
were allowed to use it by the calpulli to which they belonged. Calpulli were groups of
families that controlled the use of the land and performed other functions.
In urban areas the wisest and most powerful leaders of each calpulli constituted a
city council. These leaders in turn selected four main members. One of these prime
members was selected to be the tlatoani of the city.

3. Social Hierarchy
The Mexica condoned slavery as a punishment for severe crimes, but even
slaves had some rights. For one, their families and offspring remained free. In addition, if
a slave found time to do other work on the side, freedom could be bought for a price.
Nobles were not exempted from slavery. In fact, nobles were held to an even higher
standard than the commoners. Nobles were expected to provide a good example for the
rest of the empire's subjects. On the other hand, good deeds such as valor in battle were
rewarded, and many soldiers who proved themselves in battle were admitted into one of
the privileged military orders.
Every citizen of the empire belonged to a class from birth, it was possible to
change one's place in society.

D. Religious
1. Deities
a. Quetzalcoatl: Feathered Serpent- Represented as Corn, Creator, Knowledge
b. Huitzilopochtli: Sun, War, Hummingbird. It was the patron deity.
c. Tlaloc: Rain
2. Rituals: The Mexica worshiped numerous of gods and goddesses. They were
predominantly agricultural gods because Mexica culture was based heavily on farming.
Many rituals of worship were aimed at appeasing the gods. Rituals were determined by
season or circumstance.
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a. Sacrifices: Can be of a personal or public nature. The most important rituals
would involve the 'letting' of blood.
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Personal/ Private Sacrifice Ritual
Public Sacrifice Ritual (Scheduled and Unscheduled): Often performed
on the Great Pyramid (Templo Mayor)
Annual Sacrifice

b. The most important structure in the capitals main plaza was a large, terraced
pyramid crowned with two stone temples dedicated to the most important Mexica
godsthe sun god (also the god of war) and the rain god.

c. The Calendar Stone
One of the most famous surviving Mexica sculptures is the so-called Calendar
Stone. It weighs 22 metric tons and measures 3.7 m (12 ft) in diameter. The
calendar stone represents the Mexica universe.

E. Achievements & Contributions
The last five days of solar calendar were days of bad omens=> Some rituals involved drinking of pulque and burial of warriors.
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Blood is the essence of life. It was the most sacred and valuable of human possessions.
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03_Ch16: Peoples and Empires in the Americas: Aztecs Control Central Mexico
1. Tenochtitln (Mexica Capital)
Tenochtitln is the 2nd largest city (pop.) on Earth by 16th C. It was the center of the
Mexica world. The marvels of the island city were described at length by the Spanish
conquistadores, who called it the "Venice of the New World" because of its many canals.
At its height, the city had a population of more than 200,000, according to modern
estimates, making it one of the most populous cities in the pre-modern world.
Tenochtitln was connected to the mainland by three well-traveled causeways, or
raised roads. During the rainy season, when the lake waters rose, the causeways served
as protective dikes. Stone aqueducts brought fresh drinking water into the city from the
mainland. The citys canals served as thoroughfares and were often crowded with canoes
made from hollowed logs. The canoes were used to carry produce to the public market in
the citys main plaza.
At the center of Tenochtitln was a ceremonial plaza paved with stone. The plaza
housed several large government buildings and the palace of the Mexica ruler, which was
two stories high and contained hundreds of rooms.

2. Templo Mayor (Main Temple)

3. Technology
a. Canal Network
b. Chinampas: Farming provided the basis of the Mexica economy (as with most
civilized societies). Their most important agricultural technique was the
reclamation of swampy land by creating chinampas, or artificial islands that are
known popularly as "floating gardens." To make the chinampas, the Mexica dug
canals through the marshy shores and islands, then heaped the mud on huge
mats made of woven reeds. They anchored the mats by tying them to posts
driven into the lake bed and planting trees at their corners that took root and
secured the islands permanently. On these fertile islands they grew corn, squash,
vegetables, and flowers.
4. Agricultural
a. Mexica farmers cultivated corn (Maize) as their principal crop. From the corn
meal, the Mexica made flat corn cakes called tortillas, which was their principal
food.
Other crops included: beans, squash, chili peppers, avocados, tomatoes
(Tomatl), and chocolate (Xocolatl). The Mexica raised turkeys and dogs, which
were eaten by the wealthy; they also raised ducks, geese, and quail.
b. Mexica farmers had many uses for the maguey plant (also known as the
agave), which grew to enormous size in the wild. The sap was used to make a
beer-like drink called pulque, the thorns served as needles, the leaves were used
as thatch for the construction of dwellings, and the fibers were twisted into rope
or woven into cloth.

Summary: Why it matters now.
This time period saw the origins of one of the 20th centurys most populous cities, Mexico City.

Materials/Sources: Refer to course website for additional materials and assignments.
Film: CNNs Millennium Series.
Marrin, Albert. Mexicas and Spaniards: Cortes and the Conquest of Mexico. New York: Atheneum, 1986.
Clendenin, Inga. Aztec.
Chronicles of Hernan Cortes and Bernal Diaz.
World History: Patterns of Interaction.

Credit to the following (former) students for gathering data incorporated into this lesson:
Students Jimmy Wang, Kevin Teoh, and Nandita Garud (May 2001)