The Inca

Empire Background

■ The Inca originated in village of Paqari-tampu, about 15 miles south of Cuzco

■ Official language is Quecha ■ Polytheistic religion- Pantheon headed by Inti, the sun god

■ combined features of animism and worship of nature gods

■ offered food, clothing, and drink

■ rituals included forms of divination, sacrifice of humans and animals Events leading to Rise and Fall

■ 1438: Manco Capac established capital at Cuzco (Peru)

■ 1400-1500: Pachacuti gained control of Andean population about 12 million people

■ 1525: Emperor Huayna Capac died of plague; civil war broke out between two sons because no successor named ■ 1532: Spanish arrived in Peru ■ 1535: Empire lost Francisco Pizarro

■ 1527: Pizarro wanted to discover wealth; embarked on his third voyage to the New World ■ Sept. to Nov. 1532: The Cajamarca massacre- Pizarro led 160 Spaniards to Cuzco, slaughtering over 2,000 Inca and injuring 5,000 ■ November 16, 1532: Atahualpa captured by Spaniards, offered gold for his freedom. ■ Pizarro accepted more than 11 tons of gold ($6 million+) baubles, dishes, icons, ornaments, jewelry, & vases, but never released Atahualpa. ■ July 26, 1533: Atahualpa was killed Manco Capac (1022-1107)

■ founder of Inca dynasty

■ declared himself Sapa Inca, divine son of the Sun

■ skilled warrior and leader ■ chief religious leader

■ exercised absolute power Pachacuti (1438-1471)

■ Usurped throne form brother Inca Urcon

■ Considered the founder of the Inca Empire

■ Skilled warrior and chief religious leader

■ Claimed he was divine, son of the sun

■ Exercised absolute power Important Positions

■ Local governors responsible for exacting labor tax which could be paid by service in army, on public works, or in agricultural work ■ Coya carried out important religious duties and governed when Sapa Inca absent ■ Nobles ruled provinces w/ chieftains Inca conquered Political Philosophy

■ policy of forced resettlement ensured political stability

■ use of road system strictly limited to government, military business

■ private property forbidden, crime nonexistent, citizens never starved

■ no written records; oral tradition preserved through generations Economic Developments

■ constructed aquaducts, cities, temples, fortresses, short rock tunnels, suspension bridges, 2250mi road system ■ metal works of alloy, copper, tin, bronze, silver gold ■ developed important medical practices- surgery on human skull, anesthesia ■ resources-corn, potatoes, coffee, grain ■ created woven baskets, woodwinds Cultural Conflict & Cooperation

■ religious institutions destroyed by Spanish conquerors’ campaign against idolatry ■ Spaniards superior military technology ■ division & discontent among Inca, Spanish played on old feuds ■ disease brought by Europeans ■ survivors felt gods were less powerful than those of conquerors