How did the Aztec Empire rule much of central Mexico?

The Aztec Empire established its dominance over central Mexico primarily through a combination of strategic military alliances, conquest, and the systematic extraction of tribute.12

Under the ruler Itzcóatl, the capital city of Tenochtitlán formed a "Triple Alliance" with the neighboring states of Texcoco and Tlacopan. This coalition became the dominant power in the region, eventually expanding to rule over 400 to 500 small states.123

To maintain control over this vast territory, the Aztecs employed several administrative strategies:
* Provincial Organization: Conquered states were grouped into 38 provinces, each with a capital city where an Aztec tax collector-governor was stationed to manage the collection and storage of tribute.4
* Garrisons and Colonization: In many provinces, the Aztecs established garrisons consisting of warriors and their families from the Valley of Mexico, who served as both troops and colonists.4
* Political Integration: The empire often utilized royal intermarriage to link the ruling lineages of conquered states with that of Tenochtitlán, and in some cases, installed Aztec governors to oversee local administration.4
* Economic Influence: The powerful merchant guild, known as the pochteca, helped integrate the economy across the region.4