The Aztec Empire was formed when several smaller empires and city-states were conquered by Tenochtitlan. The power of the empire was maintained and expanded by taxes, called tribute, levied against the various parts of the empire. Any attempt at rebellion was met with A.
a threat to withhold food.
B.
human sacrifices to the gods.
C.
even higher tribute levies.
D.
a threat of military intervention.

The Aztec Empire, or the Triple Alliance (Classical Nahuatl: Ēxcān Tlahtōlōyān, was an alliance of three Nahua altepetl city-states: Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. These three city-states ruled the area in and around the Valley of Mexico from 1428 until the combined forces of the Spanish conquistadores and their native allies under Hernán Cortés defeated them in 1521.

because people what other people gold

explanation:

food chain i would say only because there is competition on getting food and survival