Act. 3.1 The Expansion of the Inca Empire

Adapting to Life in the Andes Inca Agricultural Techniques Terraced mountain sides and used guano (bird droppings) as fertilizer Channeled water and diverted rivers to irrigate arid areas Filled and drained marshes to produce suitable farmland People produced corn, many varieties of potatoes, quinoa (a grain), and other produce Machu Picchu, ancient city of the Inca

Expansion of the Inca Empire Pachacuti ( ) Had vision that convinced him to use warfare to spread Inca culture He promised peace gifts, backed by threats, and won many battles He forced conquered peoples to obey Inca leaders and learn Quechua; he allowed them to keep their native language, leaders, and gods Topa Inca Yupanqui ( ) Pachacuti’s son—ruled the enormous empire Used innovative techniques to collect taxes Huayna Capac ( ) Ruled the empire at its high point Fathered two sons (Atahualpa and Huascar); they didn’t trust each other Priests favored Huascar and the army favored Atahualpa as next leader, which lead to a 6-year civil war Atahualpa eventually won, but the wars weakened the Inca empire

Inca Social and Political Organization Sapa Inca Ruled by divine right-subjects not allowed to look him in the eye He did not walk as a mortal, but was carried Nobles Capac Incas were nobles by blood They controlled the land & resources Government officials Many levels of officials throughout the empire Used quipu to keep records Consisted of knotted strings of cotton or wool Inca laws regulated daily life The state designated jobs for everyone They had to help with the army and build roads They had to contribute food and cloth to the state warehouses in addition to working their own land