The Aztec Build an Empire

-When they headed south they found that all the good farm land was taken, they settled on a swampy island in the middle of Lake Texococo.
-War was critical to the rise to power
-The Aztecs formed a secret alliance with others on Lake Texcoco.

-They made conquered people pay tribute(tax) with gold, cotton, or food.
-The Aztec controlled this huge trade network
-Merchants brought goods to Aztec markets, because they traveled, they were used as spies for the people in the empire ( advanced thinking)
-Controlled trade, war, and taxes made the Aztec rich by the 1500s
-they ruled most of MesoAmerica.