Exploration and discovery

1. The Americas before Columbus
• 50 million people (?)
• No metal technology
• No large domesticated animals
• Complex trade networks
• Complex cultures and civilizations

3. Aztec Empire

4. Ancient Tenochtitlan

7. Fundacion Tenochtitlan

8. Aztec Warrior Dress in Front of the Shrine of the Virgen de Guadalupe, Mexico City

9. • Skilled warriors
• Weapons from wood,
stone and volcanic glass
• Conquered surrounding
people
• Captives sacrificed

12. Hernan Cortes
• Conquistador
• Landed in Mexico in
1519
• Conquered Aztecs by
1521
• Native allies
– Nahuas
– Tlaxcaltec
– Totonacs
• Small pox

13. Moctezuma II
• Aztec Ruler
• Host and Prisoner of
the Conquistadores
• Details of his death
are disputed

15. Columbian Exchange: The transfer
of living things between the “Old”
and “New” Worlds
“Old World” (Europe, “New” World (North and
Africa, & Asia) South America)
• Horses • Corn
• Pigs • Potato
• Cattle • Tobacco
• Wheat • Beans
• Sugar • Peanut
• Small Pox • Turkey
• Measles