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The Incan Empire. Cuzco (Peru) = capital (200,000) Empire stretched from Ecuador to Chile (3500 miles) thru Andes Mtns. 10 mill. people. I. Founding the Inca. Built empire on previous cultural foundations Chavin, Moche, Nazca (Peru). A. Early Inca.
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Cuzco (Peru) = capital (200,000) • Empire stretched from Ecuador to Chile (3500 miles) thru Andes Mtns. • 10 mill. people
I. Founding the Inca • Built empire on previous cultural foundations • Chavin, Moche, Nazca (Peru)
A. Early Inca • Settled on fertile lands in Valley of Cuzco • Est. small kingdom by early 1200s • Ruler = descendent of Inti (sun god)
B. Early Inca Rulers • Early, Incan kingdom grew slowly • Viracocha (1410-1438)—8th emperor • Conquered adjacent lands • Instituted a divine monarchy • Pachacuti (1438-1471) son • “the greatest man ever produced by the American race” • Conquered all of Peru & moved north & south • Used diplomacy & military force • Honorable surrender?
II. Incan Govt. • Imposed single official language • Quechua
A. Govt. Presence • Architecture was consistent across empire • All roads led to Cuzco • Masterful engineers
B. Incan Govt. • Incan govt. = SOCIALISM • Controlled most economic activity • Allowed little private commerce • Citizens were expected to work for the state • Ayllu = extended family group • Worked together • Mita = labor tribute
C. Public Works • Incan road system • Unified empire • Symbolized power of the state • 14,000 mi. • Chasquis = messengers • Allowed for easy movement of military
D. Govt. Record Keeping • NEVER developed a writing system • Oral tradition • Quipu = knotted strings for accounting
III. Incan Religion • Focused on key nature spirits • Primary Incan god = Viracocha (creator) • Next = Inti (sun god) • King = descendent of Inti
A. Religious Practices • Priests led sun-worship • Mamakuna = full-time female workers • Yamacuna = full-time male workers • Sacrificed llamas & exchanged goods
B. Great Cities • Temple of the Sun (Cuzco) • Most sacred of all Incan shrines • “sweat of the sun” • Machu Picchu • Religious center? • Estate of Pachacuti? • Retreat for rulers or nobles?
IV. End of the Inca • Early 1500s = height of glory • Huayna Capac died • Split empire betw. sons (Atahualpa & Huascar) • Civil war broke out --- Atahualpa won • Weakened state --- Pizarro took advantage