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The Aztecs, (Tenochca) are believed to be a northern tribe who first appeared in the 13th century. They are mainly known in Mesoamerica, as they helped bring about, the fall of the previously dominant Mesoamerican civilization, the Toltecs.
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In 1325 (14th century), the Aztecs were kicked out of there home by the Culhuacan. They traveled far and as they believed, they would make a new civilization where they saw an eagle holding a snake on a cactus. This was found at a swampy island and they were to call it home. The Aztecs drained all the water out so it could be livable. The civilization that is called Tenochtitlan.
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In 1427 to 1440, the Aztecs gave power to Itzcoatl for him to be the first emperor. He served his life by dying the emperor. He was greatly remembered because he guided the three way alliance to victory.
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In 1428, The Aztecs formed a three way alliance with the Texcocans and the Tacubans to defeat their very powerful enemies, the Tepanec. They did this to gain control of the Tepanec capital, Azcapotzalco. Despite their power, the alliance won with the leadership of Itzcoatl and tweaked their civilization to be more like Azcapotzalco. These changes made Tenochtitlan stronger.
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Montezuma was a great warrior back in the day. In 1440, the Aztecs have gave him the power over their tribe for his great accomplishments and as he took after the formal emperor Itzcoatl. He was remembered as the “father” by the empire.
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Around the same time that they made a calendar, it was also the time when the Aztecs started sacrificing humans and animals. It was to pay back the debt to the Aztec gods, by slicing their stomach and ripping out their heart. They got this idea from the Maya and do it at the top of the “temple” mainly to their prisoners and slaves that they have captured.
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With a few years passed, the Aztecs have developed for the best. They took after Maya’s religions, made a very popular Aztec calendar (which was based on a solar cycle of 365 days and a ritual cycle of 260 days), and made a stone of the sun god. These items and faiths became a huge factor for the civilization.
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By the 16th century, the Aztecs have taken over and ruled 500 states. Their population was huge, coming around about 5 to 6 million people to make them the most populated city ever back then. They usually got their population up by conquest and commerce (buying, selling, and trading for people).
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In 1519, Cortes and his men and the Spaniards arrived at Tenochtitlan as honored guests. But secretly, they were there to attack (they both are major rivals of the Aztecs). Even though the Aztecs had a huge population, there weapons were inferior (lowly ranked; not powerful). The Aztecs were held hostage and killed at a dance party, and the same for Montezuma… murdered.
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Finally a little while later after the victory, Cortes and his men decided to destroy the remains of Tenochtitlan to make the dead Aztecs proud (razed is to destroy). They built a new city on its ruins called Mexico City. This new and improved city ever so quickly became the premier European center of the New World.
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Before 1521, the Spaniards kicked out Cortes and ruled Tenochtitlan. By 1521, Cortes and his men finally had the guts to try to take over Tenochtitlan to help the Aztecs. They had won and drove off the Spaniards. Over 240,000 people had died over the takings of this city leaving the Aztecs tribe perished (gone; dead).
