When you attend Spanish school in Peru, at some point during your studies you will likely hear about the Incan Empire. The reason that this time period is so important is that it was the largest pre-Columbian empire. You will see many remnants if you learn Spanish in Cusco, because the headquarters of the empire was located right in this city.
If you don't know much about the Inca's, the first thing to learn is that they came to power in the 13th century. For hundreds of years they sought to assimilate South America. They held many conquests and also annexed territories peacefully as well. Up until the mid 1500's they added a variety of regions including parts of what is now Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. This empire was called Tawantinsuyu. This word means "The Four Regions." Their government had a central control and also four provincial governments as well.
The Incan people worshiped the sun god or Inti. They also believed in the divine right of kings and saw their leader to be a child of the sun.
The largest expansion of the Incan empire took place under Pachacuti-Cusi Yupanqui. Part of the way he added new territories to his control was sending spies. Their leaders were promised material goods and told they would enjoy more weath if they became subjects. Many regions accepted this deal. After Pachucuti died in 1471, his son Tupac Inca Yupanqui took over.
In 1526 the Spanish conquistadors reached Inca territory. After witnessing the wealth amassed by the Incans, Francisco Pizarro, who was the leader of this group, requested approval to conquer this region. His aim was to become the viceroy. The queen approved his request.
Fortunately, for Pizarro, there were some factors that had weakened the empire including smallpox and a war between two ruling brothers. Even though Pizarro only had 168 men, he prevailed due to the superiority of his weaponry. He also amassed allies in the form of people native to the region who wanted to see the Incan empire overthrown.
In about 1572, the Incan empire no longer had any strongholds. The current ruler who was Tupac Amaru was killed and there was no longer any resistance to Spanish authority. The Spaniards destroyed a great deal of the Incan culture. They also forced one person from every family to work in the mines. Unfortunately, smallpox ran rampant in the 1500's and killed a large percentage of the population. Other diseases were brought by the Spanish and including Typhus, influenza, diphtheria and measles.
If you don't know much about the Inca's, the first thing to learn is that they came to power in the 13th century. For hundreds of years they sought to assimilate South America. They held many conquests and also annexed territories peacefully as well. Up until the mid 1500's they added a variety of regions including parts of what is now Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. This empire was called Tawantinsuyu. This word means "The Four Regions." Their government had a central control and also four provincial governments as well.
The Incan people worshiped the sun god or Inti. They also believed in the divine right of kings and saw their leader to be a child of the sun.
The largest expansion of the Incan empire took place under Pachacuti-Cusi Yupanqui. Part of the way he added new territories to his control was sending spies. Their leaders were promised material goods and told they would enjoy more weath if they became subjects. Many regions accepted this deal. After Pachucuti died in 1471, his son Tupac Inca Yupanqui took over.
In 1526 the Spanish conquistadors reached Inca territory. After witnessing the wealth amassed by the Incans, Francisco Pizarro, who was the leader of this group, requested approval to conquer this region. His aim was to become the viceroy. The queen approved his request.
Fortunately, for Pizarro, there were some factors that had weakened the empire including smallpox and a war between two ruling brothers. Even though Pizarro only had 168 men, he prevailed due to the superiority of his weaponry. He also amassed allies in the form of people native to the region who wanted to see the Incan empire overthrown.
In about 1572, the Incan empire no longer had any strongholds. The current ruler who was Tupac Amaru was killed and there was no longer any resistance to Spanish authority. The Spaniards destroyed a great deal of the Incan culture. They also forced one person from every family to work in the mines. Unfortunately, smallpox ran rampant in the 1500's and killed a large percentage of the population. Other diseases were brought by the Spanish and including Typhus, influenza, diphtheria and measles.
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