Military Structure
and the Aztec
What is a military?
An arm of the
government
authorized to use
lethal force, and
weapons, to
support the
interests of the
state and some or
all of its citizens.
What is the purpose of the military?
“War is not merely an act of policy, but a true political instrument, a
continuation of political intercourse carried on with other means.”
-Clausewitz
 Typically:
 Defense of the state and its citizens
 Prosecution of war against another state
 Sometimes:
 Promote political agenda
 Protect corporate interests
 Population control
 Emergency response
Military organization
General Structure
 Executive Control
Example: The United States
 President (Commander in Chief)
 Minster of Defense
 Armed Services
 Personnel
 Units
 Intelligence
 Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard
 Officer Corp and “grunts”
 Division (10,000-15,000), Company (80-150),
Platoon (15-30), Squad (8+)
 CIA, DIA, NSA, Dept. of Homeland Security,
State Dept.
 Military
Military Support
 Economics
 Logistics
 Population
 Government
Weapons
 Infantry (foot soldiers)
 Bow and arrow
 Swords
 Spears and Pikes
 Musket
 Cavalry (mounted soldiers)
 Mongols
 Gendarmes
 Hussars
 Arabs
 Psychology
weapons
 Siege Weapons to Artillery
 Biological Warfare
 Battering Ram
 Trebuchet
 Siege Tower
 Mining
 Petard
 Cannon
Military tactics
 Ambush
 Encirclement
 Frontal assaults
 Hit and Run
 Suicide Attacks
 Reconnaissance
 Deception
 Using natural environment
 Heights, rivers, swamps, passes, choke
points, foliage…
Who are the Aztec?
 Founding
 Triple Alliance
 Government
 Religion
 Military Culture
 Sun God,
Huitzilopochtli
 Influence in Society
Important Figures and Events
• Moctezuma I & Tlacaelel
• Establishes Triple Alliance
• Strengthen Aztec culture
• Moctezuma II (Montezuma)
• Expands the Empire
• Spanish Invasion
Decline of the aztec
• Spanish Invasion
• Fifth Column?
• Massacre in the Great
Temple
• Doña Marina
Aztec Military
 Warriors
 Rank
 Jaguar Warriors
 Shorn Ones
 Weapons
 Atlatl
 Bow and Arrows
 Slings
 Macana
 Spear, Mace, Axe
 Armor