2. • The Aztecs were nomadic tribes
that originated from dry regions of
the north. They are ethnic groups
of central Mexico, particularly
those groups who spoke
the Nahuatl language and who
dominated large parts
of Mesoamerica from the 14th to
16th centuries.

3. • The term “Aztec” means “ A
person who originated from
Aztlan” ( white land) which was a
mythical place in northern
Mexico.

4. • Agriculture laid the basis for the
Aztec economy.
• The economy of the Aztec was
founded upon the growing of corn.
This plant is a native of the
region. It was planted by use of a
digging stick.
• In order to increase farmlands the
Aztec reclaimed swamps and
created chinampas or artificial
islands located at the center of
the lake.

5. • Aztecs are skilled engineers and
builders who constructed
aqueducts, dams, irrigation
systems, squares and markets
• Aztecs were one of the first
people to place importance on
education.

6. • Huitzilopochtli is the most
important Aztec god.
• Aztec sun and war god, one of
the two principal deities of Aztec
religion, often represented in art
as either a hummingbird or an
eagle.
• He was the Sun god who they fed
with human sacrifice so that the
sun will continually shine and
nourish their crops.

8. • Political instability at
Azcapotzalco, combined with an
alliance with the cities of
Texcoco and Tlacopan, allowed
the Tenochtitlán ruler Itzcoatl
(reign 1428-1440) to break free
from Azcapotzalco’s control and
assert the city’s independence.

9. • Tlacaele, an adviser and general,
paved away the way for such
dramatic changes. Terrorizing and
sacrificing people were some of the
means employed by Aztec leaders
dominant nearby places. Conquered
cities were required to pay tributes.
Eventually, Tenochtitlan became the
a leading economic and political
center in Mesoamerica from the
Pacific Ocean to Gulf Mexico and
from northern Mexico to southward
until Guatemala.

10. • The arrival of Hernan Cortes and
the Spaniards in Mexico in 1519
was the turning point that ended
the Aztec domination of
Mesoamerica.
• Montezuma II thought the coming
of the Spaniards signaled the
return of their god Quetzalcoatl.
• In 1521, Tenochtitlan totally
colapsed. By 1680, it was
estimated that from 1.2 million
people that inhabited Aztec
center, the population dwindled to
about 70,000 people.

11. • The sudden drop in population
was primarily due to the smallpox
epidemic brought by Spaniards
• The slavery, warfare and
treachery perpetuated by the
Spaniards.