The Aztecs Build an Empire

The Aztecs looked for a place to settle and headed South but all the land was taken so they had to settle on a swampy island in Lake Texoco. The Aztecs formed a secret alliance with others in Lake Texoco. The people they had conquered with the secret alliance had to pay taxes in gold, cotton, or food. The Aztecs controlled a huge trade network, and merchants were used as spies throughout the whole empire.The Aztecs were rich because they controlled trade, war, and taxes.