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ior vis-à-vis other subgroups. In effect, there was no imperial foreign policy, just an Aztec foreign policy coexisting with the policies of individual tributaries as long as the latter did not conflict with the former. This limited interference in local affairs made submission more palatable to the tributary cities, and often they did not vigorously contest domination. Conquest was not a matter of total intimidation and destruction of the tributaries. Although incorporation into the empire had liabilitiesnotably, the imposition of annual tribute payments, logistical support for the Aztec armies, and, sometimes, troop supportthere were also benefits, such as participation in the Aztec trading network. |
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As long as the core of the coalition remained strong, it was in the allied cities' best interests to adhere to it. But because each city retained its own leadership with its own goals and ambitions, the system was unstable. Any weakness in the core alliance reduced its ability to enforce adherence and offered an opportunity for cities to withdraw. As a result, the system possessed considerable elasticity, allowing rapid shifts in power.
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To avoid any perception of weakness, information about conquests was disseminated, which was as significant to the Aztecs as the actual victories. Thus, when they won a victory, they dispatched messengers with the news. Often these messengers were not merely runners but formal emissaries of some status. They disseminated information, but their primary function was to elicit new signs of loyalty from tributaries potentially disaffected from the empire. The Aztecs also sent emissaries to potential tributaries with gifts (and implicit threats) to seek peaceful submission. The most fruitful time for such missions was immediately after a successful campaign. |
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When a war was lost, that also was learned, at least along the army's line of march. Enemy spies and wide-ranging merchants quickly spread such information throughout Mesoamerica. Unlike victories, which were formally communicated both throughout the empire and to enemies and nonallied polities, formal news of defeat was largely confined to the empire, usually as a prelude to recruitment of troops and arms for another campaign. |
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Conquest and internal control were only two of the problems the Aztecs faced. Another was the presence of independent and hostile |
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