The Aztec civilization's economic basis and government were best described as what?

• A. Democracy with elected leaders.
• B. Monarchical with a king, plus farming and trading.
• C. A feudal system with lords and serfs.
• D. A centralized bureaucratic empire modeled on China.

Answer: (B)

This item tests how the Aztec state combined political power with its economic base. The Aztec emperor ruled as a monarch, backed by nobles and a priesthood, with centralized authority over the empire and a tribute system from conquered regions. Economically, the foundation was farming—especially chinampas that produced maize and other staples—and a vibrant trading network, including long-distance merchants known as pochteca who moved goods through markets like Tlatelolco. This blend—a king-led state plus farming as the backbone and active trade as a key driver—best matches a monarchical system with agriculture and commerce at its core. It isn’t a democracy, nor a feudal system of lords and serfs, nor a bureaucracy modeled on China.