Monte Alban Lasted for More Research Paper

The devastation must have taken weeks to accomplish and was so well planned that there was no chance of restoration. (ibid) the reasons for and the perpetrators of this destruction are a mystery. Foreign forces and influences are not blamed and there were no political uprisings that may have precipitated these events. The only reasons given are possible dissatisfaction among the populace due to mismanagement. (ibid) With the demise of Teotihuacan's there was a subsequent change in the Basin of Mexico with regard to the distribution of power. Without a centralized authority settlements began to emerge in parts of the Basin. There was no perpetuation of the religion and ideology and "...we find no signs of the great Goddess, the Storm God, or Featheres Serpent." (Weaver M.P. p 204)

The Spanish were extremely impressed with the wealth they found in Mesoamerica. The Aztecs had succeeded in accumulating this wealth through a number of methods. The main methods that they employed were trade and tributes. The transition from a rural to an urban economy began with the defeat of the Tepanecs and this initiated a period of intensification of trade and diversity. (Weaver, M.P. p.469) This meant that there was an increase in private wealth and class divisions. This factor was to play an important part in the custom of tributes. An aspect that promoted trade was the high levels of agricultural production which was made possible by Chimamapa system."Owing to the constant renewing of the soil, Chinampas never wore out." (ibid) a large variety of stable crops were grown which could be traded. The Aztecs were also adept at setting up and controlling new markets for trade; as well as expanding markets for trade in the region. (Weaver, M.P. p. 471) Another source of wealth was the collection of taxes, which took place within a radius of 150 km. An important aspect that expanded the wealth from tributes was that "once an area was conquered, trade became tribute." (ibid) These conquered territories therefore had to pay tribute at certain periods of the year, which added to the overall wealth. The Aztec economy also relied on revenue from taxes on farms lands, rent and markets, as well as taxes on tribute. (ibid) Trade also took place in ports-of-trade, which were neutral areas that were not affected by any conflict. There were also other trading systems that were centered on indigenous market places and dealt with regional and local trade. There were massive market places where anything could be bought and sold, such as at Miahuatlan in the Mixteca area. (Weaver, M.P. p.472)

Bibliography

Weaver, M.P. The Aztecs, Maya, and their Predecessors: Archaeology of Mesoamerica, 3rd.ed......