Social Studies: Aztec Geography & Gods

• Study notes for chapters 7 & 8 of social studies

Aztec Geography

• The Aztecs chose to build Tenochtitlan where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake.
• Their god, Huitzilopochtli, told them to settle there.
• Mountains were considered sacred to the Aztec people.
• A positive of Tenochtitlan's location was that it was easily defendable, however, a negative was that it was swampy and had limited farmland.
• Aqueducts helped the Aztec people by providing fresh water to the city.
• Chinampas helped the Aztec people by creating more farmland.
• Dams helped the Aztec people by controlling floods.

Aztec Gods

• The gods were important to the Aztec people because they believed the gods controlled all aspects of their lives, including the weather and harvest. -Tlaloc was the god of rain, vital for agriculture.
• Huitzilopochtli was the god of war, sun, and sacrifice, and the patron god of the Aztecs.
• Quetzalcoatl was the god of wind, wisdom, and learning.
• Tezcatlipoca was the god of sorcery.

Human Sacrifice

• The Aztecs sacrificed humans to nourish the gods, maintain cosmic balance, and ensure the sun would rise.
• The Aztecs sacrificed mostly prisoners of war, slaves, and sometimes children.

Aztec Life

Trade

• The Aztecs needed to trade with other groups to obtain goods not available in their region, such as precious stones, feathers, and cacao beans.
• Merchants played a role in gathering intelligence, acting as spies, and communicating information about other cities.

War

• The Aztecs viewed war as a sacred duty, a way to acquire resources, and a means to obtain sacrificial victims.
• Men played a crucial role in the army and war, as warriors could gain status and climb the social hierarchy through bravery and skill in battle.

Aztec Hierarchy

• The Aztec hierarchy from highest to lowest consisted of the Emperor, Nobility, Merchants/Artisans, Farmers/Slaves/Prisoners
• The Emperor was at the top of Aztec society, with absolute power.
• The Nobility consisted of priests, government officials, and military leaders.
• Merchants were traders and played a key role in the Aztec economy, while artisans were skilled craftsmen.
• Farmers made up the majority of the population and cultivated the land, while slaves and prisoners of war were at the bottom of the social structure.
• Wealth and power were displayed through clothing, jewelry, and the size and location of one's house.
• Aztecs could move up in the hierarchy through success in war, while commoners were unable to move into the nobility.

Aztec Education

Nobles

• The school for nobles was called the Calmecac.
• Nobles studied subjects such as history, astronomy, mathematics, and law.

Commoners

• The school for commoners was called the Tepochcalli.
• Commoners learned subjects and skills such as warfare and agriculture.

Women

• Aztec women learned how to weave, cook, and manage a household, and some were trained as priestesses or healers.

Aztec Law and Citizenship

• The Aztec law system consisted of lower courts at the local level and higher courts in Tenochtitlan.
• Aztecs could appeal their sentence to a higher court.
• Nobles were punished more severely than commoners for the same crime.
• Aspects of a "good citizen" to the Aztec people included respect for authority, obedience to laws, and contribution to the welfare of the community.