Aztec Political Structure
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Unlike the Mayan city-states, which were all separate and ruled by individual kings, the Aztec system of government was headed by one man, the emperor, so this kind of government is called an empire. The most well-known emperor of the Aztecs was Montezuma. The emperor ruled from one city, called the capital. The capital of the Aztec empire was a city called Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan is now modern day Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. The people in the government were from the nobility and were usually elected into their positions, much like our politicians today, but some were promoted for good merit. Do you know what the capital of Massachusetts is? Hint: Its the city Fenway Park is in Do you know what the capital of America is? Hint: Its where President Obama lives |
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There were also local governments that ruled each individual city-state. These local governments were in charge of collecting tributes, which were the Aztec's form of taxes. People would have to give cloth, jewelry, feathers, gold, and corn to the emperor in the capital.
The Aztecs were very violent and started many wars to conquer more land. They were widely known and feared. |
