Mexico: History and Its Influence

Students explore the Aztec civilization. They learn about the unique features of Tenochtitlan, the religion, and the social structure. They identify reasons for the fall of the empire, and they summarize the contributions of the Aztec civilization by writing a letter in support of an Aztec Civilization Festival.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students explore the Aztec civilization. They learn about the unique features of Tenochtitlan, the religion, and the social structure. They identify reasons for the fall of the empire, and they summarize the contributions of the Aztec civilization by considering how to represent the Aztec people in a museum exhibit.

Objectives:

Identify the contributions of the Aztec civilization
Describe the defeat of the Aztec by the Spanish conquistadors

Long before Europeans began colonizing the Americas, Indigenous peoples developed large cities, governments, trade networks, and complex societies in the lands that are now Mexico.

Several important civilizations developed in this region, including the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, and Mexica, often called the Aztec.

The Olmec developed in southern Mexico more than 3,000 years ago and influenced later cultures in the region.
The Zapotec developed important cities in what is now southern Mexico, including Monte Albán, beginning more than 2,000 years ago.
The Maya developed communities across southern Mexico and northern Central America. Many Maya cities reached their height about 1,800 to 1,100 years ago, during the Classic Period (A.D. 250-900). Maya peoples still live in the region today.
The Mexica, often called the Aztec, built a powerful state in central Mexico about 700 years ago. Their empire became especially powerful during the 1400s and lasted until A.D. 1521.

These civilizations were different from one another, but each helped shape the history and culture of the region that became Mexico.

In this experience, you will learn about the Aztec empire.

Objectives:

Identify the contributions of the Aztec civilization
Describe the defeat of the Aztec by the Spanish conquistadors

Look at the image above, showing something found at an Aztec site.

What do you think this is? What might its purpose be?

Post your answer

The image depicts an Aztec sculpture, called the sun stone or the calendar stone, probably created in the early sixteenth century. No one knows the exact purpose and meaning of the calendar stone. Historians have offered several possible interpretations.

A calendar. Some of the circles are the glyphs for the days of the month. Other symbols may represent the five ages that they believed the earth had passed through.
A religious utensil, used primarily as a ceremonial basin or ritual altar for gladiatorial sacrifices.
A geographic symbol. The four points may relate to the four corners of the earth or the cardinal points. The inner circles may express space as well as time.
A political statement, showing Tenochtitlan as the center of the world and therefore, as the center of authority.

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