The Inca Civilization

From 3000 BCE the continent of South America was home to a diverse array of civilizations, cultures, and societies.

### Succeded by

Spanish Empire

The Caral-Supe civilization, located in present-day Peru, is one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. The site of Caral dated in 3,000 BCE, is known for its impressive architectural structures, including pyramidal mounds and plazas. The civilization engaged in trade and agriculture, and they are recognized for their advanced irrigation systems.

The Chavín civilization, also based in Peru, is known for its intricate artwork, particularly in the form of pottery and sculptures. The Chavín people constructed ceremonial centers, such as Chavín de Huántar, which were likely used for religious and cultural gatherings. They had an impact on later Andean cultures through their artistic and architectural influences.

The Nazca civilization inhabited the southern coast of Peru and is known for the Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert landscape. They were skilled in irrigation and agriculture, and their ceramics are recognized for their elaborate designs.

The Moche civilization, also located in Peru, was characterized by their skilled metalwork, pottery, and the construction of large adobe pyramids. They had a complex social structure and are known for their detailed representations of daily life, mythology, and rituals in their art.

# Tiwanaku and Wari Empires

The Tiwanaku and Wari empires were both based in the Andean highlands and exerted significant influence over their regions. Tiwanaku, in present-day Bolivia, developed monumental architecture and was a center of religious and ceremonial activity. The Wari Empire, centered in Peru, had an extensive road network and is believed to have been an administrative and economic hub.

These cultures built impressive temples, developed advanced agricultural techniques such as terrace farming, and created intricate pottery and textiles. These cultures laid the foundation for social organization, trade networks, and technological innovations that would later contribute to the Inca Empire's success.

# Rise of the Inca Empire

The Inca Empire emerged around the 15th century under the leadership of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. He initiated a series of military campaigns that expanded the Inca's territory, consolidating power over neighboring regions and peoples. The Incas had a highly centralized and hierarchical political structure, with the ruler (Sapa Inca) at the top. Their capital city, Cusco, was the center of their administrative, religious, and cultural activities.

The Inca society was organized into distinct social classes, with the Sapa Inca and nobility at the top, followed by administrative and military personnel, skilled artisans, and commoners. The Incas are renowned for their impressive engineering feats, including the construction of extensive road networks, massive stone structures (notably Machu Picchu), and advanced agricultural terraces. These infrastructural achievements enabled efficient communication, trade, and resource management across their vast territory.

The Incas practiced a polytheistic religion, where they worshiped various deities and natural elements. Inti, the sun god, held a central place in their beliefs, as the ruler was often considered the "Child of the Sun." The Incas also practiced ancestor worship, emphasizing the importance of maintaining connections with their past rulers.

# Spanish Conquest

The downfall of the Inca Empire began when Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro arrived in the Andes in 1532. Pizarro captured the Inca ruler Atahualpa and executed him, significantly weakening the Inca resistance. The Spanish invaders, aided by superior weaponry, diseases, and alliances with local groups opposed to the Inca rule, further eroded the empire's power. Despite some instances of resistance, the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish by the late 1570s.

In November 1532, Francisco Pizarro and his army of conquistadors arrived in Cajamarca and invited Atahualpa to a meeting. Atahualpa, not fully understanding the Spanish intentions, arrived with a relatively small retinue. Pizarro used this opportunity to capture Atahualpa, taking him hostage.

Despite Atahualpa's promise to fill a room with gold and silver as ransom for his release, Pizarro did not release him. Instead, he put Atahualpa on trial, accused him of various crimes, and after Atahualpa refused to accept christianity, Pizzarro executed him.

August 30, 1533, a day after Atahualpas execution, The Spanish conquistadors, aided by their advanced weaponry and horses, started advancing through Inca territory. The Spanish brought with them diseases such as smallpox, influenza, and measles, to which the indigenous populations had no immunity. These diseases spread rapidly and caused devastating epidemics that decimated the Inca population and further weakened their resistance to the Spanish.

Following Atahualpa's death, a power struggle erupted among his successors, Atahualpa's brother Huáscar and his half-brother Manco Inca Yupanqui. The civil war between these two claimants to the throne weakened the Inca Empire's unity and allowed the Spanish to exploit the internal conflicts.

On November 15, 1533, the Spanish forces led by Pizarro captured Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire by killing over than 500,000 Inca warriors in a single day. This marked a significant turning point in the decline of the empire's power.

On January 18, 1535, Pizarro founded the city of Lima as a Spanish stronghold, which further solidified Spanish control over the region. The Spanish continued to expand, establishing a colonial administration and exploiting the region's resources.

Despite sporadic instances of resistance, including the Inca Rebellion led by Manco Inca Yupanqui in 1536, the Spanish continued to suppress these uprisings. By the late 1570s, Spanish control over the former Inca territories was well-established, effectively ending the Inca Empire.

Exact numbers for casualties, deaths, and other specific details were not documanted by the Spanish Empire, however, it's widely accepted that the combination of warfare, diseases, and religious executions resulted in a number of dead indigenous population of the Andean region around 8 to 9 Million.