general+Aztec+info

The Aztec civilization contained about 15 million people that lived in nearly 500 towns and cities. About 300,000 people lived in Tenochtitlan. In this famous city, the government controlled and were responsible to deal with taxes, punishment, famine, and market trading. Punishment in the city of Tenochtitlan was enforced for breaking any of the code of government laws. Offenders were enslaved into tedious work conditions for a specific amount of time. If the offense happened to be minor, the law-breaker was charged with a string of fees or fines. This type of governing system is only one of the many things that affected aspects of everyday life for the Aztecs. War and tribute were central to the Aztec empire, which gained territory, subjects, and economic power as it expanded (Berdan 1982:35). War was a nearly constant activity requiring a large bureaucracy supported by tribute (Id. at 38). "Aztec rulers were chosen from eligible royal offspring by a council of noble elders" (Marcus and Flannery 1983:218). Manufacturing, trade, and agriculture were the main economic institutions for the creation of tribute. Traders were used as a kind of spy network outside the empire and provided information for future areas of conquest. The form of government at the time of the Triple Alliance was a confederacy that bonded together militarily, politically, and economically. The Aztec empire was a multiethnic and multilingual political organization. Near the end of the empire, religious and military activity may have resulted in the astounding figure of 20,000 human sacrifices per year. The ruler was supported by warriors, governors, ambassadors, high priests, administrators, advisors, judges, stewards, and other "lesser officials" (Id.). Each city state was ruled by a tlatoani responsible for the area (Id. at 99). Aztec Government Aztecs had small city states and each with a leader to speak for them. The ruler were named tlatoani or " the Great Speaker". What we know about the Aztecs they were greedy people that all they cared about was power and soon they raged out to conquer other lands. Aztecs forced the people from the conquererd lands to pay them tributes or taxes for the foods provided to them. All the taxes that were payed were collected by the tax collecters or as they were known as the calpixque. For the rulers it was not as they passed the thrones as to their family members but for the person who ruled would have had to get chosen or elected by the nobles, priest ,and warriors after each rulers death. The king had to have control on his hand because most often wars occured during these periods of time. The second person in charge was a person named Woman Snake who was actually a male. He also was the person who contolled the law and order. There were also some four council men who were indeed very wealthy.They were the people who divided the entire land. The people were divided into three social classes which were the nobles, merchants ,peasants , and the craftsmen. Also ,as I mentioned before Aztecs were very greedy people that all they cared about were themselves. For that same reason slavery was involed in their civilization. To those terrible events there were also some good details. Those who were slaves had the great oppurtunity to buy themselves or earn theif freedom. Also, those children who were born from the slaves were declared free. Every Aztec was a member of a calpulli, or a group of related people. Within this clan they would have their own government and public services. The Tlatoani, or the Great Speaker, had many duties in the political situation. He was the head of the law courts, priesthood, and the army. He would also speak to the Aztec gods. The Aztecs had harsh punishments. The criminals were taken to a court where there was a group of judges who would decide the punishment if he was guilty. Sometimes the emperor would pronounce the sentence. In this way the Aztec judicial system was somewhat like ours today. The emperor would act as a judge and specially chosen members of the community would act as a jury. Cr
 * Aztec Culture**
 * AZTEC GOVERNMENT**
 * Political, economic, and social institutions characteristic of the governmental form**
 * Principal political offices in the society**