Mesoamerica Chapter 12 Lesson 2

Geography of a Mountain Empire A Land of Diverse Terrain The Central Andes region in South America is geographically extreme. The Central Andes region in South America is geographically extreme. It contains tropical rain forests, fertile valleys, and the world’s largest mountains. It contains tropical rain forests, fertile valleys, and the world’s largest mountains. In 1100s the Inca founded Cuzco, a mountain city located 11,000 feet in elevation. In 1100s the Inca founded Cuzco, a mountain city located 11,000 feet in elevation. The Incas created a small kingdom in Cuzco Valley. The Incas created a small kingdom in Cuzco Valley.

Geography of a Mountain Empire Pachacuti Founds an Empire By 1400s, the Inca had expanded rule over the valley and the nearby areas. By 1400s, the Inca had expanded rule over the valley and the nearby areas. Some people peacefully accepted Inca rule, but others had to be conquered. Some people peacefully accepted Inca rule, but others had to be conquered. Pachacuti (9 th Inca ruler) conquered Peru and surrounding lands. His son and grandson also expanded the empire. Pachacuti (9 th Inca ruler) conquered Peru and surrounding lands. His son and grandson also expanded the empire. By 1500s the Incan empire covered 2,500 miles of the western coast. By 1500s the Incan empire covered 2,500 miles of the western coast. As many as 12 million people live in the empire. As many as 12 million people live in the empire.

Geography of a Mountain Empire Governing the Empire The Andes Mountains were not suited for large cities or farmland. The Andes Mountains were not suited for large cities or farmland. The Machu Picchu settlement held no more than 1,000 people. The Machu Picchu settlement held no more than 1,000 people. Rough terrain and varied people made governing difficult. Rough terrain and varied people made governing difficult. The Inca were expert organizers and administrators. The Inca were expert organizers and administrators. They divided subjects into family groups. They divided subjects into family groups. The subjects worshipped Incan gods, but were allowed to keep traditional ways. The subjects worshipped Incan gods, but were allowed to keep traditional ways.

Incan Society and Beliefs Incan Class Structure Nobles ran the government, controlled the army, and lived in luxury. Nobles ran the government, controlled the army, and lived in luxury. Commoners were mostly farmers, fishermen who worked for the nobles and priests. Commoners were mostly farmers, fishermen who worked for the nobles and priests. The Incan government had a tight control on a person’s daily life. The Incan government had a tight control on a person’s daily life. The government decided who framed, who traded, who married who, and who served in the army. The government decided who framed, who traded, who married who, and who served in the army.

Incan Society and Beliefs Religious Beliefs and Practices The Incans accepted the emperor’s control, because they believed he was divine. The Incans accepted the emperor’s control, because they believed he was divine. Inti, the god of sun, was most important to agricultural Inca. Inti, the god of sun, was most important to agricultural Inca. Many temples were built. Many temples were built. Priests performed prayers, rituals, and animal sacrifices. Priests performed prayers, rituals, and animal sacrifices. Priests often performed rites for the emperors before a battle. Priests often performed rites for the emperors before a battle.

Incan Society and Beliefs Warfare and the Mighty Incan Army The Incan army totaled 200,000 soldiers, who were mostly commoners. The Incan army totaled 200,000 soldiers, who were mostly commoners. The soldiers were well-trained and equipped with spears, arrows, lances, and clubs. The soldiers were well-trained and equipped with spears, arrows, lances, and clubs. Opponents were often intimidated and would concede rather than face battle. Opponents were often intimidated and would concede rather than face battle.

Incan Society and Beliefs The Inca Fall to the Spanish A civil war between Incan ruler Atahualpa and his brother weakened the empire. A civil war between Incan ruler Atahualpa and his brother weakened the empire. In 1532, Pizarro landed at an Incan port. In 1532, Pizarro landed at an Incan port. Atahualpa was taken prisoner during a meeting with Pizarro and later executed. Atahualpa was taken prisoner during a meeting with Pizarro and later executed. The invading Spaniards rode horses, had armor, steel swords, and guns. The invading Spaniards rode horses, had armor, steel swords, and guns. The Incan empire ceased to exist iin The Incan empire ceased to exist iin Millions of Inca died from European-borne diseases. Millions of Inca died from European-borne diseases.

Geography of a Mountain Empire Daily Life in the Empire The terrain made farming difficult. The terrain made farming difficult. They cut terraces into the mountain sides. They cut terraces into the mountain sides. They developed irrigation systems for the terraced farmland. They developed irrigation systems for the terraced farmland. Farmers grew corn, potatoes and they bred llamas and alpacas for wool and food. Farmers grew corn, potatoes and they bred llamas and alpacas for wool and food. The Inca improved roads for communication and the subjects had to do the repairs. The Inca improved roads for communication and the subjects had to do the repairs. It was a moneyless economy that relied on the barter system. It was a moneyless economy that relied on the barter system. The Emperor controlled the regional trade. The Emperor controlled the regional trade.

The Cultural Legacy of the Inca A Civilization Without Writing The Inca had no writing system, but they were able to run a large empire and engage in trade. The Inca had no writing system, but they were able to run a large empire and engage in trade. Quipu: a cord with knotted strings was used as a counting tool. Quipu: a cord with knotted strings was used as a counting tool. The Inca tracked trade goods and the distribution of troops with the quipu. The Inca tracked trade goods and the distribution of troops with the quipu. Different types of quipu were used to preserve history and legends. Different types of quipu were used to preserve history and legends.

The Cultural Legacy of the Inca Road Builders and Artisans The Inca built a highway network that crisscrossed 14,000 miles of their empire. The Inca built a highway network that crisscrossed 14,000 miles of their empire. They built tunnels through hills and bridges across rivers. They built tunnels through hills and bridges across rivers. The roads allowed rulers to sent troops and messages quickly across the empire. The roads allowed rulers to sent troops and messages quickly across the empire. They built forts, temples, and palaces out of huge stone blocks that were assembled without mortar. They built forts, temples, and palaces out of huge stone blocks that were assembled without mortar. Artisans made jewelry and figurines out of precious metals (gold). Artisans made jewelry and figurines out of precious metals (gold).

The Cultural Legacy of the Inca Incan Medical Advances The Spanish recorded the Incan medical practices and found them to be as advanced as Europe’s. The Spanish recorded the Incan medical practices and found them to be as advanced as Europe’s. The Inca created quinine to cure fevers. The Inca created quinine to cure fevers. The Inca performed surgeries, including brain surgery, and performed blood transfusions. The Inca performed surgeries, including brain surgery, and performed blood transfusions.