The Americas before Columbus

• 50 million people (?)• No metal technology• No large domesticated animals• Complex trade networks• Complex cultures and civilizations

Aztec Empire

Ancient Tenochtitlan

Fundacion Tenochtitlan

Aztec Warrior Dress in Front of the Shrine of the Virgen de Guadalupe, Mexico City

• Skilled warriors• Weapons from wood,

stone and volcanic glass

• Conquered surrounding people

• Captives sacrificed

Hernan Cortes

• Conquistador• Landed in Mexico in

1519• Conquered Aztecs by

1521• Native allies

– Nahuas– Tlaxcaltec– Totonacs

• Small pox

Moctezuma II

• Aztec Ruler

• Host and Prisoner of the Conquistadores

• Details of his death are disputed

Columbian Exchange: The transfer of living things between the “Old”

and “New” Worlds“Old World” (Europe,

Africa, & Asia)• Horses• Pigs• Cattle• Wheat• Sugar• Small Pox• Measles

“New” World (North and South America)

• Corn• Potato• Tobacco• Beans• Peanut• Turkey