Expanding the Empire

How did the Aztec worldview influence the way the people interacted with other cultures?
Read Pages 165 and 166
There is a bit of a paradox with the Aztecs here:geographic isolation in a high valley surrounded by mountains, combined with an inclination to fight and a need to trade.

Why would the Aztec empire need to increase it's trade with other nations?
How can the need for increased trade sometimes lead a nation to war?

Aztec codex of trade goods

Read Pages 167-168
Are young Canadians willing to die for Canada in a war?
How do Canadians respond when Canadian peacekeepers or soldiers are killed while carrying out their duties?

Would young Canadians consider it an honour to die as a human sacrifice meant to appease a violent god?


Based on what we have learned about the Aztec World View can you predict how they would have treated other groups around them? What strategies do you think they might employ to grow and maintain their empire?

As the Aztec's built and maintained their vast empire. The Aztec strategy had three basic themes -Trade, War & Tribute.

1. As a class read P. 165-168
2. Complete the section 3 student notes

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If Time 

• Exploring Sources P. 167, all three bullets.  HINT - How does this connect to the idea of sacrifice? 
• Exploring the Big Ideas P. 169 1(a)  the web will take at least 1/2 a page to do properly & 1(b) in full sentences