The Aztecs

Aztecs The story of the Aztecs is a remarkable one. The Aztecs managed to form an Empire from a simple hunter-gatherer group. They were fierce warriors pragmatic builders, the Aztecs ruthlessly created an empire in the fifteenth century, an empire that was only surpassed in size by the Incas in Peru. The sacrificial aspect of their religion with its sense of brutality and indifference in human life, appalled and angered the Spaniards that would later conqueror them. Modern archeology continues to show the Aztecs had many achievements. Their achievements include, the formation of a highly specialized and stratified society and imperial administration; the expanding of a trading network as well as a tribute system; the development of a sophisticated agricultural economy, carefully adjusted to the land; and the development of an intellectual and religious outlook that was in intimate contact with the earth, sky, and seasons. The year round ceremonies and their art architecture opens the door to a profound civilization. On February 10 1519, a Spanish expedition of many vessels sailed to the Gulf of Mexico. Hernan Cortez was following a chartered voyage set out

The second phase of course was to the values of Christianity in its stead. How did the Aztecs society that the Spaniards saw as so sophisticated begin The Aztecs were a culmination of many different people that came together. It followed the same basic structure and principals as Teotihuacan. " That is where the Aztecs got their name. Cortez landed on the sandy dunes near were Veracruz in found. The Mexica were now permanently established in their residence. Send by the Church the missionary"tms first mission was to destroy shrines, art and idols. The second was Toltec Tula dating from 10th to mid 12th centuries. A new religion and government were imposed in Mexico in the image and ideals of Spain. Although the missionaries were against it they were still very impressed with the sophisticated civilization and so its message remained on. Most of the food came from tenant farmers. The Mexica"tms were a nomadic group who had proficient skills in hunting using bows and arrows. There were many different inhibitors in this area such as the Chichimec"tms, Acolhua, Tepanecs, and the Mexica. One of the most famous was the sun god "Quetzalcoatl.