Final answer:
The Aztecs increased their economy by demanding tribute from conquered territories, receiving a range of goods and labor while also incorporating ritual sacrifice and warfare into their sociopolitical system to maintain and expand their empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aztecs often increased their economy by demanding tribute through conquered territories. This tribute system was multifaceted, involving payments from thirty-eight provinces into the imperial capitals. Goods like rubber balls from the Gulf coast, food products, luxury items, cloth, tools, and labor were part of the tribute, connected to the economic capabilities of each province. The Aztec state also implied military strength through its warriors from the Eagle and Jaguar cults, and expansionist policies exemplified by King Moctezuma I's reign, where extensive building projects were undertaken and a legal code established.
Additionally, warfare and the capture of prisoners for ritual sacrifice reinforced the empire's hegemony. The social hierarchy of the Aztecs involved the ruling class, nobles, priests, merchants, and artisans residing in urban centers, benefiting from tribute, while commoners often led lives of hard labor. Under the reign of Moctezuma II, the empire experienced its peak before encountering Spanish explorers who eventually toppled it.
The empire's approach to warfare was strategic and ritualistic, blending diplomacy with military conquest. The Aztec military trained rigorously, and the state's intricate social organization was supported by the tribute and sacrifice system, which were integral to maintaining the well-being of the civilization and appeasing their gods.