Aztec Triple Alliance Expansion in the 1470s

Timeline

1. 1471–1474Valley of Mexico · Valley of MexicoAxayacatl succeeded Moctezuma I as ruler of Tenochtitlan, formed a military alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, and began waging wars of conquest against city-states beyond the valley. The alliance integrated new vassals through tribute, sacrificial captives, and the appointment of local chiefs, inheriting the institutional framework of the Acamapichtli and Moctezuma eras.
2. 1474–1477Oaxaca · OaxacaAllied armies marched south to conquer several city-states in Mixtec and Zapotec regions and pushed east to the Gulf Coast, controlling trade routes and cacao-producing areas. New vassals had to pay tribute to Tenochtitlan, including feathers, jade, cotton cloth, and food, with tribute lists recorded in the Codex Mendoza and other later documents.
3. 1478–1480Tlaxcala · TlaxcalaIn 1478–1479 Axayacatl led a large army against Tlaxcala but was forced to withdraw after fierce resistance, marking the beginning of what is known as the 'Flower Wars.' Although Tlaxcala was not conquered, the alliance still controlled the vast majority of city-states around the valley, forming a tributary empire centered on Tenochtitlan, with Tlaxcala remaining the only independent major power.