Curated OER
Conquering North America
Students create a study guide on colonization of North America. In this American Colonization instructional activity, students complete a chart of explorers and their conquests. Students complete a crossword puzzle using explorer facts....
The Newberry Library
The Aztecs and the Making of Colonial Mexico: Europeans Invade the Aztec Empire
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded the Aztec empire in the 16th century. This conquest led to the colonization of Mexico. The Newberry Library provides an in depth look into this period of Mexican history through photos,...
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans the Aztec Empire
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage provides information about the ancient Aztec Empire, including the significance of Montezuma and Tenochtitlan. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills....
PBS
Pbs: Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire
Learn about the fall of the Aztec Empire. You can use the navigation tool at the left to click into more information on the Aztecs and the Spanish conquest of Cortes. Uses popups.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Aztec
A learning module on the Aztec Empire that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered include the capital of Tenochtitlan, an...
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors: Aztec Empire
Read about the development of the Aztec Empire and its status just before the Spanish Conquest. Click on the hyperlinks or pictures for more information. From part of an extensive PBS website about the Conquistadors.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Aztec
An encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on the Aztecs discusses the legend of how they first appeared, their culture, human sacrifice, and the end of the empire.
World History Encyclopedia
World History Encyclopedia: Aztec Civilization
Entry references the history of the Aztec Empire with a focus on Tenochtitlan, religion, architecture, art, and its eventual collapse.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Age of Exploration: The Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Lengthy description of the life of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who brought down the Aztec Empire in Mexico. How this came to be is explained, with many details of the sophistication of Aztec civilization.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Art
Kids learn about arts and crafts during the Aztec Empire including poetry, music, sculpture, pottery, and feather-work on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Spanish Conquest
Kids learn about the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire including Hernan Cortes and Montezuma II on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Government and Empire
Students can learn about the Government of the Aztec Empire including the emperor, officials, laws, and interesting facts on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Daily Life
Study the daily life of people during the Aztec Empire including food, clothing, housing, and education on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Tenochtitlan
On this site, students learn about Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the Aztec Empire built upon an island.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Glossary and Terms
Sites contain a glossary and terms which includes important words to know for the Aztec Empire.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Timeline
A site with a timeline of the history of the Aztec Empire. Major events and the order they occurred can be found on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Society
Students can study the society of the Aztec Empire including their social structure and classes on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Writing and Technology
Kids learn about the writing and technology of the Aztec Empire including their calendar, agriculture, and medicine on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Aztec Empire for Kids: Religion, Gods, and Mythology
Kids learn about the religion, Gods, and mythology of the Aztec Empire including the pyramids, temples, and priests on this site.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: Hernando Cortes Exploration
This account of "The Conquest of the Aztec Empire" tells the story of Cortes' encounter with the Aztecs and the fall of the empire.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Moctezuma Ii
Under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire was strong and expanded its borders. However, when the Spanish arrived, their superior power and weapons enabled them to conquer the Aztecs. Read about Moctezuma's life, his interactions with the Spanish...
Other
Aztec History: Aztec Timeline
Timeline of the Aztec Empire beginning in the 6th Century and ending at the time of conquest, 1525.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza
The Codex Mendoza, commissioned by Viceroy Mendoza, contained information about the lords of Tenochtitlan, the tribute paid to the Aztecs, and an account of life "from year to year." Read descriptions and view pictures of the codex in...