Explain The Strategic Legitimization And Consolidation Of Power Within The Aztec Empire

Ariel Ohayon Professor Katherine Payne First Year Writing Honors 1020H 9 April 2024 The Strategic Legitimization and Consolidation of Power within the Aztec Empire On a dedicated visit to the Museum of Natural History, I meticulously made my way through the various exhibits, astounded by the intriguing backstories of the items on display. As I turned a corner on the fourth floor, I was suddenly accosted by the towering structure of the Titanosaur: a dinosaur skeleton so massive it does not fit in a single room. Since my visit to the museum was nearing its conclusion, I was prepared to transfer this topic into an incredible opportunity for more research; nevertheless, I had one more stop on the second floor. I soon found out that the artifacts

Provided that the “legitimation of political authority is in large measure a consequence of the ability of authorities to generate, control, and allocate economic and symbolic resources in pursuit of public and private goals,” the Aztecs cleverly channeled the flow of wealth into their own hands (Kurtz 303). Not only did this lead to profound wealth, but in considering that “tributary items were also generally lightweight luxury goods, making them worth transporting across great distances to the Aztec capital,” it is clear that these actions also limited the wealth of lands that may have retained a degree of hostility (Seo). The incessant demand for costly tribute severely undermined support for local authorities while also depriving them of the resources to attempt a rebellion with any inklings of success. Additionally, the retrieval of artifacts with cultural significance showed the population that the true power resided with the

As a whole, the tribute system was widely successful in accumulating wealth, depriving it from potential enemies, and demonstrating the omnipotence of Aztec influence to legitimize their rule. On the contrary, it may be argued that the Aztecs’ political management was flawed, and accompanied by religious parochialism would eventually lead to their downfall. After all, “Quetzalcoatl the Feathered Serpent god of the Aztecs prophesied that in the thirteenth era white strangers would arrive from overseas and would overthrow the Aztec king and would enforce a new religion,” greatly influencing Montezuma II, the ruler at that time, and his handling of the Spanish’s arrival (Hyatt and Verrill 58). Their lust for fortune and hostility were largely ignored, and they were openly welcomed, which gave them the resources to succeed when they finally turned on the Aztecs. Moreover, because of the oppressive tributes enforced by the Aztecs, many of their self-governed territories would turn on them in pursuit of greater freedom (Schmal). These events may be regarded as a direct fault of the Aztecs, suggesting that their way of life was destined to