How were the Aztec Empire and Spanish America similar?

Despite the vast differences in their origins and eventual fates, the Aztec Empire and Spanish America shared some interesting similarities:

Complex and Hierarchical Societies

• Aztecs: Aztec society was highly stratified, with a ruling elite comprised of nobles, priests, and warriors. Commoners, including farmers, artisans, and merchants, formed the larger base of society.
• Spanish America: Spanish American society mirrored this hierarchy, with peninsulares (Spaniards born in Spain) at the top, followed by creoles (Spaniards born in the Americas), mestizos (mixed race), and indigenous populations at the bottom.

Emphasis on Religion

• Aztecs: Religion permeated every aspect of Aztec life. They worshipped a complex pantheon of deities, with elaborate rituals and ceremonies performed by dedicated priests.
• Spanish America: Catholicism became the dominant religion in Spanish America after the conquest. Churches held immense power and influence, shaping social and cultural life.

Extensive Tribute Systems

• Aztecs: The Aztec Empire relied heavily on a tribute system, extracting goods and resources from conquered territories to support their vast population and elite class.
• Spanish America: The Spanish implemented a similar system, known as the encomienda, where indigenous communities were forced to pay tribute to Spanish encomenderos in exchange for supposed "protection."

Grandiose Cities and Architecture

• Aztecs: The Aztecs were skilled urban planners and constructed impressive cities, with Tenochtitlan, their capital, renowned for its vast plazas, temples, and canals.
• Spanish America: The Spanish established grand cities throughout their colonies, incorporating European architectural styles alongside indigenous influences. These cities served as centers of administration, commerce, and religion.

Exploitation of Indigenous Populations

• Aztecs: While not identical to Spanish practices, the Aztecs subjected conquered peoples to various forms of exploitation, including tribute payments and forced participation in religious rituals, including human sacrifice.
• Spanish America: The Spanish conquest had a devastating impact on indigenous populations, who were subjected to forced labor, brutal treatment, and displacement from their lands. This exploitation fueled the growth of the Spanish American economy.

It's crucial to remember that these similarities do not overshadow the significant differences between the Aztec Empire and Spanish America. The Aztecs were an indigenous civilization with their own unique cultural practices and political structures, while Spanish America was a colonial entity established by a European power, imposing its own social, political, and religious systems.