The Aztec Empire — what prompted innovation
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Question
What was the Triple Alliance?
Answer
The 1428 pact between Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan that founded the Aztec Empire after defeating Azcapotzalco.
Question
Why did the Triple Alliance form in 1428?
Answer
A succession crisis in the dominant city Azcapotzalco gave Tenochtitlan's ruler Itzcoatl the chance to ally with Texcoco and Tlacopan and defeat it.
Question
What were the Flower Wars?
Answer
Ritualised battles fought mainly to train warriors, capture prisoners for sacrifice, and display power to rivals like Tlaxcala.
Question
Were the Flower Wars purely symbolic?
Answer
No — warriors really died in them, even though their main goal was prisoners and prestige rather than territory.
Question
Who was Moctezuma I and when did he rule?
Answer
Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan, c.1440–1469, who expanded the empire's territory and reformed its laws and religion.
Question
What did Moctezuma I's legal reforms do?
Answer
Formalised law codes and strengthened central control over conquered provinces.
Question
What is tribute, in the Aztec imperial system?
Answer
Goods, food or labour paid by conquered peoples to their Aztec rulers — the economic engine behind expansion.
Question
Give an example of a source useful for studying the Aztec Empire.
Answer
The Codex Mendoza, a pictorial record made around 1541 for Spanish administrators, listing conquered towns and tribute.
Question
Why does the Codex Mendoza's context matter for using it as evidence?
Answer
It was made decades after conquest, for a Spanish colonial audience, so it may present Aztec order to impress or justify colonial rule.
Question
Compare the Aztec Empire before and after Moctezuma I.
Answer
Before: a regional alliance around the Valley of Mexico with looser systems. After: an expanding empire reaching the Gulf Coast with formal law and a stronger warrior class.
Question
What does Paper 1 Q1 test?
Answer
Explaining how the content of two sources can be used to answer the inquiry question (6 marks).
Question
What is meant by 'perspectives' in source analysis?
Answer
The standpoint or viewpoint from which a source was created, shaped by who made it and why.
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Topic 1.2 hub
The Aztec Empire (c.1428–1469)
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