The+Aztecs

= __Rise to Power__ = Before the Aztecs, there were the Toltecs. After the fall of their capital, the Aztecs won control of the three largest lakes that were connected by marshes (Lake Tezococo) The Aztecs arrived in cental Mexico in the mid 1200s, and had their capital built in Tenochtitlan. = __Social Interactions__ = The Aztecs forced subject people to pay tributes, give up land, and military service in order to maintain their expansionist policy and professional army. Warriors were considered to "elite" in the Aztec social structure. The larger portion of the population were peasants and slaves. They went from being loosely associated clans to having one ruler. In the long run, although proven to be effective in expanding their empire, the system of tribute and terror imposed upon peoples were internal weaknesses that would lead to their collapse.

= __Religion and Culture__ = They used the exact same language as the Toltecs, which led to why their rise to power went so smoothly. Had gods including: rain, fire, water, corn, and the sky. Focused on keeping nature in balance. Every 52 years people thought the world would end. World divided into 4 quadrants, heavens divided in 13 ascending layers, underworld dived into 9 descending layers. Tenochtitán was the center of world and forces. Took gods 5 times to create the world. Had prophecies. Afterlife based on how you died.

Rituals, sacrifices, and cannibalism played a pivotal role in religion and culture.

= __Economy__ = The Aztecs had a large population so feeding everyone was quite difficult, so in result they began demanding food as a major tribute. They built "chinampas" that were beds of aquatic weeds, mud and earth that had been placed in frames made of can and rooted to the lake floor, forming floating islands. Roads were built to link areas of the huge empire, and trade flourished.

=** __Role of Women__ **= Most Aztec women had an ultimately subordinate role in life, but could inherit property. Household work was the dominant role for most women, and marriage was often arranged.

Citations: Garcia, Pat. "Chinampas." //NowPublic.com | The News Is NowPublic//. 9 Oct. 2008. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. [].

"Aztec Society, Religion, and Culture (Overview)." //World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras//.ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 23 Jan. 2012

Cóttrill, Jaime. "The Aztec Civilization: What Was It Like?" //Aztec History//. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. [].

Cóttrill, Jaime. "Ancient Aztec Religion." //Aztec History//. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. .