Final answer:
The Aztecs overcame significant challenges from rival tribes as well as geographical and environmental factors when establishing themselves in the Valley of Mexico. Their military might and diplomatic strategies allowed them to subdue other city-states, ensuring their dominance in the region before the Spanish arrival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difficulties for the Aztecs in Establishing Themselves in the Valley of Mexico
The initial challenge for the Aztec people, originally known as the Mexica, during their establishment in the Valley of Mexico involved dealing with other established city-states and rival tribes. As newcomers, they overcame geographical challenges by settling on an island in Lake Texcoco and gradually transforming it into a viable location for their capital, Tenochtitlan. Over time, they forged alliances and waged wars for expansion, resource control, and tribute. At the height of their power, the Aztecs controlled almost twelve million people under a complex social hierarchy with a strict caste system.
The Aztecs also faced multiple environmental factors that had hindered their predecessors in the region. They needed to drain swampy lands to create sustainable agriculture and navigate internal and external political dynamics. The Aztec strategy of subjugation and diplomacy coupled with their military prowess enabled them to overcome the challenges posed by rival tribes and the harsh environment.
Therefore, the correct answer to the difficulty the Aztecs faced in establishing themselves in the Valley of Mexico would be B) Rival Tribes, as this was the immediate challenge they encountered upon their arrival in the region.