Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Did The Expansion Of The Aztec Empire Lead To Their Downfall? - College Paper

Did The Expansion Of The Aztec Empire Lead To Their Downfall?


?
The Aztec Indians originated from a place called Aztlan, somewhere in
north or northwest Mexico. At that time the Aztecs were a small, nomadic tribe
living in the border territory on the margins of civilized Mesoamerica. (see map
I) In the 13th century they settled in the valley of central Mexico. The Aztecs
finally found refuge on a small island in Lake Texcoco, where about 1345, they
founded the town of Tenochtitlan. The island was found through a prophecy which
said they would settle where they found an eagle perched on a cactus. (see
diagram I)
During the next century the Aztecs grew to be greatest power in Mexico.
As they grew in political status they became sophisticated and ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

and bronze were used for tools and
Mexican jewelers made ornaments from gold, silver, and their alloys. Wheat,
barley, cattle, horses, sheep, and goats were unknown until introduced from
Europe and the Mexicans were efficient farmers who made full use of irrigation,
terracing, and fertilization of the fields.
Aztec Mexico was rich and civilized. The state controlled every aspect
of life. Schooling and training in the martial arts were compulsory for all
boys, while the girls were trained in gathering, cooking, and the sewing arts.
A centralized bureaucracy looked after the collection and storage of taxes,
matters of legislation and punishment. (Peterson, Frederick)
Life for the Aztec's was good. Because of the complexity of their
government all were happy. Then in 1519 Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, met
the Aztec leader Montezuma in Tenochtitlan. Montezuma believed that the
Spaniards had come in peace, but he is proven wrong in 1521 when the Spanish,
lead by Cortes, ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.


Already a member? Login

They remained autonomous until
joining the Aztecs to better their chances when fending off the Spaniards.
After these two great conquests the Aztecs power grew rapidly and they
continued to conquer all the surrounding tribes including the Otomis, Totonacs,
Tarascans and Tlaxcalans. The defeated tribes retained their own government
though they often had to accept Aztec garrisons and give lands to Aztec nobles.
All the conquered tribes were required to provide sacrificial victims for the
glory of Huizilopochtil, (see diagram II) and to pay tribute in curious birds
and animals, turquoises, gold and other precious metals, all of which were used
for pleasure among the Aztec nobles and ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library.
Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports,
and research papers in 2 minutes or less.


CITE THIS PAGE:

Did The Expansion Of The Aztec Empire Lead To Their Downfall?. (2005, April 15). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Did-Expansion-Aztec-Empire-Lead-Their/25416
"Did The Expansion Of The Aztec Empire Lead To Their Downfall?." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 15 Apr. 2005. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Did-Expansion-Aztec-Empire-Lead-Their/25416>
"Did The Expansion Of The Aztec Empire Lead To Their Downfall?." Essayworld.com. April 15, 2005. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Did-Expansion-Aztec-Empire-Lead-Their/25416.
"Did The Expansion Of The Aztec Empire Lead To Their Downfall?." Essayworld.com. April 15, 2005. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Did-Expansion-Aztec-Empire-Lead-Their/25416.
JOIN NOW
Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays


PAPER DETAILS
Added: 4/15/2005 10:56:03 PM
Category: World History
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1326
Pages: 5

Save | Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS
Save and find your favorite essays easier

SIMILAR ESSAYS
» The Conquest Of The Aztec Empir...
Copyright | Cancel | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Essayworld. All rights reserved