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    Aztec Government
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    Political, economic, and social institutions characteristic of the governmental form 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.

    Political, economic, and social institutions characteristic of the governmental form

    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.

    Principal political offices in the society

    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).

    Size of the territory controlled

    The Aztec Empire eventually covered most of central Mexico with some 50 to 60 city states of different sizes (Id. at 99).

    Kinds of data archaeologists have used to reconstruct the government

    The Codex Mendoza and historic period Spanish conquest and missionary accounts are major sources of information about the Aztec - along with archaeological materials, Aztec art, and Aztec writing.

    Change over time of the governmental forms

    As Berdan has pointed out: "During the century-long process of empire building, the Aztecs developed complex governmental and military structures. At the core of these institutions was the city-state, the prevailing mode of political organization in central Mexico during at least the fourteenth through early sixteenth centuries. The city-state was composed of a large community and its surrounding dependent areas. In most cases, the community was of considerable size, some in fact being true cities. Each served as the political, economic, and religious center of its city-state"


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     * Xolotl Huascar, Feb 26, 2004 - 12:05

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