The Spanish had superior military technology, including firearms and horses, which gave them a significant advantage over the Incas. Additionally, the Spanish had alliances with native groups that were opposed to the Inca Empire, allowing them to exploit divisions and gain support in their conquest.
For further information, read more
The Spanish had two significant advantages over the Incas during their conquest. Firstly, they possessed superior military technology in the form of firearms and horses, which played a crucial role in their ultimate victory. The introduction of firearms, such as muskets and cannons, provided the Spanish with a distinct advantage in battle, as they could inflict heavy casualties from a distance, effectively overcoming the Inca’s numerical superiority. Horses, which were completely foreign to the Incas, not only provided greater mobility but also struck fear into the hearts of the indigenous population, who had never encountered such creatures before.
In addition to their military superiority, the Spanish benefited from alliances with native groups that were hostile towards the Inca Empire. These native allies, including groups like the Tlaxcalans in Mexico, were discontented with Inca rule and sought to seize the opportunity to overthrow them. The Spanish were able to exploit these divisions and garner support, allowing them to bolster their forces and weaken the Inca Empire from within. This alliance strategy was instrumental in their conquest and played a vital role in their ultimate success.
A quote by historian Jared Diamond sheds light on the Spanish advantages: “With their incendiary weapons, horses, and lethal microorganisms, the Spanish had the equivalent of weapons of mass destruction.” This quote highlights the devastating impact of Spanish military technology and the profound advantage it gave them over the Incas.
Interesting facts on the topic:
- The Incas had their own formidable military technology, such as slingshots, stone projectiles, and clubs, but it was no match for the Spanish firearms.
- Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the Incas had never seen or interacted with horses, leading to confusion and awe among the native population.
- The Spanish arrival also brought deadly diseases like smallpox, to which the Incas had no immunity, leading to a significant loss of life and further weakening the empire.
Below is a table showcasing a comparison between the advantages of the Spanish and the Incas during their encounter:
| Spanish | Incas | |
|---|---|---|
| Military | Superior firearms | Slingshots, stone projectiles, clubs |
| Technology | and cannons | |
| Horses for mobility and | ||
| intimidation | ||
| Alliances | Native groups opposed to | Powerful empire with |
| Inca rule | extensive support base |
Here are some additional responses to your query
The Spanish were able to defeat the Aztec and the Inca not only because they had horses, dogs, guns, and swords, but also because they brought with them germs that made many native Americans sick. Diseases like smallpox and measles were unknown among the natives; therefore, they had no immunity to them.
Video answer to “What two advantages did the Spanish have over the Incas?”
In 1533, Spanish conquistadors captured the Inca emperor Atahualpa and executed him after he fulfilled his promise to fill a room with gold and silver. This event led to the conquest of the Inca empire, as the Spaniards became more confident that the empire was already in their hands.
More intriguing questions on the topic
Keeping this in consideration, What were the Spanish advantages?
Their Arms and Armor Made Them Nearly Unbeatable
The Spanish conquistadors had many military advantages over the New World natives. The Spanish had steel weapons and armor, which made them nearly unstoppable, as native weapons could not pierce Spanish armor nor could native armor defend against steel swords.
Also to know is, What was the biggest advantage the Spanish had over the natives? The advantages that the Spanish had over the Native Americans were 16 horses, some guns and other superior weapons, and alliances with fellow enemies of the Aztec. What was the encomienda system? The encomienda system gave settlers the right to tax local Native Americans or to make them work.
Similar
How did the Spanish take over the Incas? With fewer than 200 men against several thousand, Pizarro lures Atahualpa to a feast in the emperor’s honor and then opens fire on the unarmed Incans. Pizarro’s men massacre the Incans and capture Atahualpa, forcing him to convert to Christianity before eventually killing him.
Regarding this, What advantages did the Incas have?
Although the Incas imposed their religion and extracted taxes from conquered people, they also brought benefits such as improved food production and storage facilities and redistribution in times of disaster as well as better roads.
Correspondingly, Why did the Spanish take over the Inca Empire? One general even believed Spanish promises of friendship and let himself be captured. The Inca Empire had been collecting gold and silver for centuries and the Spanish soon found most of it: a great amount of gold was even hand-delivered to the Spanish as part of Atahualpa’s ransom.
Secondly, How did the Inca Empire get Rich? The Inca Empire had been collecting gold and silver for centuries and the Spanish soon found most of it: a great amount of gold was even hand-delivered to the Spanish as part of Atahualpa’s ransom. The 160 men who first invaded Peru with Pizarro became very wealthy.
Considering this, What advantages did the Spanish have over the Native Americans?
The advantages that the Spanish had over the Native Americans were 16 horses, some guns and other superior weapons, and alliances with fellow enemies of the Aztec. What was the encomienda system? The encomienda system gave settlers the right to tax local Native Americans or to make them work.
Also to know is, Who were the Incas and what did they do?
They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.(Show more) Inca, also spelled Inka, South American Indians who, at the time of the Spanish conquest in 1532, ruled an empire that extended along the Pacific coast and Andean highlands from the northern border of modern Ecuador to the Maule River in central Chile.
Also, Why did the Spanish take over the Inca Empire? One general even believed Spanish promises of friendship and let himself be captured. The Inca Empire had been collecting gold and silver for centuries and the Spanish soon found most of it: a great amount of gold was even hand-delivered to the Spanish as part of Atahualpa’s ransom.
How did the Inca Empire get Rich? Answer will be: The Inca Empire had been collecting gold and silver for centuries and the Spanish soon found most of it: a great amount of gold was even hand-delivered to the Spanish as part of Atahualpa’s ransom. The 160 men who first invaded Peru with Pizarro became very wealthy.
What advantages did the Spanish have over the Native Americans?
The advantages that the Spanish had over the Native Americans were 16 horses, some guns and other superior weapons, and alliances with fellow enemies of the Aztec. What was the encomienda system? The encomienda system gave settlers the right to tax local Native Americans or to make them work.
Hereof, Who were the Incas and what did they do? They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.(Show more) Inca, also spelled Inka, South American Indians who, at the time of the Spanish conquest in 1532, ruled an empire that extended along the Pacific coast and Andean highlands from the northern border of modern Ecuador to the Maule River in central Chile.