1. How did the Inca Empire gain, maintain, and consolidate their power?

3. Review: Absolute Power
mon-/mono-
-archy
complete or total
one
form of government
Absolute monarchy = system of government where one person has absolute control
Absolute monarch or an autocrat = person who rules an absolute monarchy (monarch, king, prince, etc.)
Absolutism = belief in the system of one ruler having absolute control

4. Use the image below to answer the following questions on how monarchs GAIN/CONSOLIDATE power:

5. . “The ruler circumvents, ignores, or uses assemblies to rubber stamp the ruler’s initiative.” Why would an absolute monarch ignore getting approval on initiatives and laws?
In order to ____________________ power an absolute monarch ignores getting approval on initiatives and laws because

6. “The ruler limits or controls the power of the nobles” Why would an absolute monarch focus his energy on controlling this class of people?
In order to ____________________ power an absolute monarch controls/limits the power of Others because

7. HOW CAN A MONARCH GAIN POWER?
EXPANDING territory or region of control
DIVINE RIGHT is the belief that an absolute monarch’s authority to rule came directly from God.
Since the king received his authority to rule directly from God, this meant:
The king has the 'right' to rule completely and totally without approval from the people
The king is God’s representative on earth
Only God can judge the king

8. Inca Roads and Outposts

9. Inca Army
Inca Runners

10. “...We can only marvel at the ability of the Sapa Inca [chief ruler] to control his vast domains, separated as they were not only by long distances, but by dramatic changes in altitude. Inca engineers developed a massive road system over some of the most rugged terrain on earth, a lattice [network] of highways and tracks that covered a staggering 19,000 miles (30,000 km). The Inca empire could never have been created without this communication system that carried important officials, government correspondence, entire armies, and all manner of commodities and trade goods. Road-building started long before Inca times, for earlier states like Chimor on the coast also needed to connect dense concentrations of farmers in widely separated valleys. But the Incas vastly extended the network...Anthropologist John Murra has called these roads the “flag” of the Inca state, for they were a highly visible link between the individual and the remote central government….”

11. Inca Hierarchy/Government

13. The Incas had a strong central government
The Incas had a strong central government. The leader of the Inca people was the Sapa Inca, the emperor. He was not elected, but born into the position. The Sapa was very powerful and everything belonged to him. The Sapa would put his relatives in power as well. Because punishment was harsh, for example, if you were caught stealing or cheating, your hands or feet were cut off, no one broke the law. Also, the government was in charge of, building bridges and roads and aqueducts to carry water to the people, as well as taking care of the people, for example, giving food to people during a drought and in times of natural disasters (like earthquakes), the government would also send troops with food and blankets.

14. Inca Religion

16. Perhaps because they lived in a harsh and unpredictable environment, the Inca practiced religious rituals designed to win the favor of the gods, who were often associated with natural forces such as the sun, water, or weather. The Inca people gave precious things to the gods to earn their favor. Pachacuti reorganized the Inca religion. He created a special relationship between himself and the sun, proclaiming that the Inca emperor was the sun’s son. Inca beliefs required people to observe many rituals tied to the agricultural calendar. These rituals involved the sacrifice of precious objects, including textiles, coca, chicha, and llamas. Children were sacrificed only on rare occasions after natural disasters, war, or during the crowning of a new emperor.

17. Part II: Short Response - How did the Inca gain, consolidate, and maintain their power?
Point Value
4 points
3 points
2 point
1 points
Topic Sentence
Interesting, original topic sentence, reflecting thought and insight; focused on one interesting main idea.
Clearly stated topic sentence presents one main idea.  
Acceptable topic sentence presents one idea.  
Missing, invalid, or inappropriate topic sentence;  main idea is missing.
Supporting Details 
Interesting, concrete and descriptive examples and details with explanations that relate to the topic.  
Examples and details relate to the topic and some explanation is included. 
Sufficient number of examples and details that relate to the topic.
Insufficient, vague, or undeveloped examples. 
Organization and Transitions
Thoughtful, logical progression of supporting examples; Mature transitions between ideas.
Details are arranged in a logical progression; appropriate transitions.
Acceptable arrangement of examples; transitions may be weak.
No discernible pattern of organization; Unrelated details; no transitions.
Mechanics
Consistent standard English usage, spelling, and punctuation. No errors.
Some errors, but none major, in usage, spelling, or punctuation. (1-2)
A few errors in usage, spelling, or punctuation (3-4)
Distracting errors in usage, spelling, or punctuation