Emergence of the Aztecs

• They to central Mexico from southwestern regions

• Since they had a bad reputation of kidnapping local women and seizing land already cultivated by others, their neighbors forced them to move around a lot.

• In about 1345, the Aztecs settled on an island in a region of Lake Texcoco and founded their capital, Tenochtitlan.

• By the early 15th century, the Aztecs were powerful enough to overcome their neighbors and demand tributes.

• The Aztecs joined forces with Texcoco and Tlacopan to create a triple alliance that guided the Aztec empire.