The Aztecs Build an Empire

When the Aztecs headed south, they settled on a swampy island instead in the middle of Lake Texcoco. War was critical to their rise of power as they had started to form alliances with others in the Lake. The Aztecs made conquered people pay taxes such as cotton,gold, or food. The Aztecs were also rich in trade, having owned a trading route. Merchants and farmers brought their goods to the market for trading, and as a result, the empire became very rich because of it. They ruled most of Mesoamerica.