Ancient Incas World History I

Where? Modern- day countries: Colombia Ecuador Peru Bolivia Chile Argentina In the Andes Mountains

Who? Inca were a distinct people of the Cuzco Valley in South America with a unique culture and language called quechua Inca were a distinct people of the Cuzco Valley in South America with a unique culture and language called quechua “Inca” actually the term for the leader “Inca” actually the term for the leader Divine, descendent of the Sun-god Divine, descendent of the Sun-god

What? Conquered surrounding tribes one by one (ca. 13 th century CE) under legendary Manco Capac Conquered surrounding tribes one by one (ca. 13 th century CE) under legendary Manco Capac Mighty, fierce military Mighty, fierce military Mixture of assimilation and independence Mixture of assimilation and independence More of a confederation than an empire More of a confederation than an empire Largest Native American civilization Largest Native American civilization Called Tahuantinsuyu, quechua for the "Four Quarters of the World" Called Tahuantinsuyu, quechua for the "Four Quarters of the World" Decline 16 th c. – Spanish conquistadores Decline 16 th c. – Spanish conquistadores

Inca Society Strict, hierarchical social structure focused on the group above the individual Strict, hierarchical social structure focused on the group above the individual At the top was the “Inca” and the royal family At the top was the “Inca” and the royal family Each tribe had tribal heads Each tribe had tribal heads At the very bottom were the common people who were all grouped in squads of ten people each with a single "boss" At the very bottom were the common people who were all grouped in squads of ten people each with a single "boss" Civil service exam Civil service exam Quechua = language of the empire Quechua = language of the empire

Incan Society Incas cultivated Incas cultivated Corn Corn Potatoes Potatoes Tomatoes Tomatoes Cotton Cotton Peanuts Peanuts Coca Coca Raised llama and alpaca for food and for labor Raised llama and alpaca for food and for labor

Inca Religion Central god of the Incan religion was the sun-god, Inti (many other gods as well) Central god of the Incan religion was the sun-god, Inti (many other gods as well) Believed in an afterlife Believed in an afterlife Heaven was depicted by the condor; the underworld by the anaconda Heaven was depicted by the condor; the underworld by the anaconda Highest point of the city reserved for religious activities Highest point of the city reserved for religious activities Sacrificed children, called capachoa Sacrificed children, called capachoa

Inca Society They had no writing system, but they kept records on various colored knotted cords called quipu They had no writing system, but they kept records on various colored knotted cords called quipu Violent punishment system Violent punishment system Being thrown off a cliff, hands cut off, eyes cut out Being thrown off a cliff, hands cut off, eyes cut out No prisons No prisons Conquered people had to pay a labor tax (mita) to the state Conquered people had to pay a labor tax (mita) to the state

Inca Achievements Roads without wheels? Roads without wheels? Astonishing network of roads – some paved Astonishing network of roads – some paved Chasquis delivered messages throughout empire Chasquis delivered messages throughout empire Built massive forts with stone slabs so perfectly cut that they didn't require mortar Built massive forts with stone slabs so perfectly cut that they didn't require mortar Built irrigation systems and terrace farms for agriculture in the Andes Mountains Built irrigation systems and terrace farms for agriculture in the Andes Mountains

Inca Achievements Built aqueducts to their cities Built aqueducts to their cities Much like who? Much like who? Very advanced in medicine and surgery Very advanced in medicine and surgery

Macchu Pichu

Decline Franciso Pizzarro kidnapped the emperor Atahualpa Franciso Pizzarro kidnapped the emperor Atahualpa Executed him in 1533 Executed him in 1533 Over the next thirty years the Spanish struggled against various violent uprisings Over the next thirty years the Spanish struggled against various violent uprisings Gained control in the 1560's Gained control in the 1560's

Decline The Incas had an army which consisted of 40,000 people and the Spanish army in the Americas had only 180 people – How did they conquer? The Incas had an army which consisted of 40,000 people and the Spanish army in the Americas had only 180 people – How did they conquer? 1) Much of the Incan army died as a result of smallpox, which was carried to them via the Spanish 1) Much of the Incan army died as a result of smallpox, which was carried to them via the Spanish 2) The Spanish were able to convince other tribes, already under Incan rule, to side with them and over throw the Incan Empire 2) The Spanish were able to convince other tribes, already under Incan rule, to side with them and over throw the Incan Empire 3) The weapons used by Incan warriors, though effective in tribal warfare, were no match for the Spanish arms 3) The weapons used by Incan warriors, though effective in tribal warfare, were no match for the Spanish arms