states and empires in mesoamerica and north america: toltecs and mexica Flashcards
why did mesoamerica enter a warring period –militarization and empire building
great wealth in teotihuacan
attracted forces from N mexico and the countryside
-which started militarization and empire building until the spanish took over
most prominent of the people contesting for power in mesoamerica
the Mexica
the architects of the Aztecs
where did the toltecs live
-Tula (~50km from mexico city)
where did the toltecs come from
arid land of NW Mexico
what crops did the toltecs grow
maize beans peppers
tomatoes
chiles
cotton
how did the toltecs grew stuff
- thin soil and little rain
- they taped waters of nearby Tula River
city of tula
- city of Tula became a center of weaving, potter, obsidian
- residents got lots of luxurious from other places in mesoamerica
toltecs trade networks
Gulf coast and Maya of Yucatan
what factors led to the downfall of the toltec civilization
conflicts between different ethnic groups in the area
- nomads had settled around Tula and often attacked
- fire destroyed the city
Where did the Mexica (aztecs) come from
nw regions
when did mexicas arrive
middle of thirteenth century
- but stye had a repletion of trouble so they were forces to move
- in 1345 they settled on an island and started tenochtitlan
tenochtitlan location advantage
- fish, water fowl, frogs
- allowed chinampa agriculture
what were chinampas
-dredged a rich and fertile muck from the lake’s bottom and built it up into small plots of land called chinampas
how did chinampas lead to growth of aztecs
- so fertile and productive, sometimes they could harvest 7 crops a year
- natural defense: water protected on all sides
- eventually they got so much power they could overcome neighbors
extend of the aztec empire
- Oaxaca
- to the Gulf Coast
