The Inca lost to the Spanish due to several factors including superior weaponry, tactics, disease outbreaks, and internal divisions within the Inca Empire. The Spanish conquest was facilitated by the alliance with indigenous groups who were opposed to Inca rule.
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The downfall of the Inca Empire at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors was a complex event influenced by multiple factors. While their initial encounter with the Spanish was marked by curiosity and hospitality, the ultimate defeat of the Inca was a result of several key reasons, including superior weaponry, tactics, disease outbreaks, internal divisions within the Inca Empire, and the Spanish alliance with indigenous groups opposed to Inca rule.
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Superior weaponry and tactics: One of the primary reasons for the Spanish victory was their advanced weaponry and military tactics. The Inca were primarily armed with weapons like slings, spears, and clubs, while the Spanish possessed steel swords, armor, muskets, and cannons. This technological advantage allowed the Spanish soldiers to overpower the Inca forces in direct combat.
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Disease outbreaks: Another crucial factor contributing to the Spanish victory was the introduction of diseases to which the Inca had no immunity. Diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza spread rapidly among the indigenous population, leading to devastating mortality rates. This decimated the Inca forces and weakened their overall resistance.
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Internal divisions within the Inca Empire: The Inca Empire was not a completely united entity, with various factions and internal divisions. The arrival of the Spanish invaders exacerbated these divisions, and some Inca subjects saw the Spanish as an opportunity to rebel against Inca rule. Additionally, the Inca ruler Huayna Capac’s death from smallpox prior to the conquest caused a succession crisis, further destabilizing the empire.
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Spanish alliance with indigenous groups: The Spanish conquistadors skillfully exploited the rivalries and grievances between the Inca Empire and other indigenous groups. Many of these groups, who had long suffered under Inca rule, saw the Spanish as potential allies against their common enemy. This alliance enabled the Spanish to gain local support, gather intelligence, and launch joint military campaigns against the Inca.
In discussing the Inca defeat, historian Jared Diamond wrote: “The Spanish had military advantages that enabled them to break the back of the Inca resistance fairly quickly.” This quote emphasizes the significant impact of technological and military advantages held by the Spanish.
Interesting facts on the topic:
- The Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro led the expedition that ultimately led to the downfall of the Inca Empire.
- The capture of the Inca ruler Atahualpa by Pizarro in 1532 was a crucial turning point in the conquest, as it left the Inca without effective leadership.
- The Inca Empire, at the time of the Spanish conquest, was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, stretching along the western coast of South America.
- The Spanish conquistadors also exploited the Inca practice of forced labor, known as mit’a, which contributed to social unrest and alienation among the indigenous population.
- Despite their defeat, the Inca’s architectural marvels, such as Machu Picchu and Cusco, still stand as a testament to their rich civilization.
Table:
| Factors Contributing to the Inca’s Defeat |
|---|
| Superior Weaponry and Tactics |
| Disease Outbreaks |
| Internal Divisions within the Inca Empire |
| Spanish Alliance with Indigenous Groups |
Note: The table above provides a visual representation of the factors contributing to the Inca’s defeat, highlighting the key points in a concise format.
Related video
The video provides a brief overview of the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs, led by Hernán Cortés. After forming an alliance with a Totanac chief, Cortés marched to the Aztec capital and eventually conquered it with the help of neighboring states. The Aztec emperor Montezuma II was arrested and later died during a rebellion in the city. Although the Spanish lost many men during their retreat, they were able to regroup and defeat the Aztecs once again. The surviving Aztecs were cast out and forbidden from living in the ashes of their former city, and the Spanish went on to conquer neighboring states and the Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula over the course of 170 years, aided by disease.
See more answer options
The main view is that the Inca were eventually defeated due to inferior weapons, ‘open battle’ tactics, disease, internal unrest, the bold tactics of the Spanish, and the capture of the Inca’s Emperor.
The Spanish took over the Inca empire for treasure and power. They exploited the weaknesses of the Incas, who were divided by a civil war and ravaged by diseases. They also kidnapped and killed the Inca emperor, Atahualpa, who was the main source of authority and legitimacy for the Incas. The Spanish faced some resistance from the Inca loyalists, but they eventually defeated them and their rival, Diego Almagro, who also claimed the Inca lands.
More interesting on the topic
What 3 factors contributed to the Incas falling to the Spanish?
Answer will be: Due to disease, internal unrest, and the capture of their emperor, as well as the aforementioned reasons, the Incas were eventually defeated. Some of the same factors contributed to the success of similar, small Spanish bands against the Aztecs and other American civilizations.
What did the Spanish use to defeat the Incas?
Pizarro’s conquistadors were armed with the latest and greatest in weapons technology – guns, and swords. The Inca, by comparison, had never worked iron or discovered the uses of gunpowder. Geography had not endowed them with these resources.
What ended the Inca Empire?
The answer is: The Spanish began the conquest of the Inca Empire in 1532 and by 1572, the last Inca state was fully conquered.
Did the Inca have any success against the Spanish?
Response: Inca Resistance
Once the Incas did get their act together, they did hold out against the Spanish for a further 30 years until 1572 when they were finally defeated. They famously held up in the stronghold of Vilcabamba.
Why were the Inca defeated?
The main view is that the Inca were eventually defeated due to inferior weapons, ‘open battle’ tactics, disease, internal unrest, the bold tactics of the Spanish, and the capture of the Inca’s Emperor. Who conquered the Inca and why?
How did the Spaniards destroy the Incan culture?
Answer to this: The Spaniards destroyed much of the Incan culture and imposed Spanish culture onto the native population. Engraving depicting the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro exposing before King Carlos I of Spain the evidence of the discovery of the fabulous Empire of the Incas.
Why did the Sapa Inca lose their lands?
The reply will be: There had been many losses in the north of the empire, though, as the Sapa Inca tried to extend his lands still further. For 17 long years, Ecuadorian natives had fought against these incursions, stretching Inca resources and manpower to the limit. It was perhaps a sign that the empire was getting too great to handle.
Did the Spanish know the Inca Empire was awash with gold?
Answer: The Inca Empire was awash with gold, and the Spanish knew it. Writing for BBC History Revealed, Nige Tassell recounts how greed and God signalled its death knell Don’t miss out on the chace to claim your copy of Tracy Borman’s latest book when you subscribe today! Huayna Cápac had never known a fever like it.
How did the decline of the Inca Empire start?
The answer is: The decline of the Inca Empire started before the Spanish arrived in Inca territory but their arrival accelerated its decline and eventually its fall destroying its civilization. Atahualpa being strangled by soldiers of Pizarro. Engraving, 1595 from the Bettmann Collection
How did the Spaniards destroy the Incan culture?
As a response to this: The Spaniards destroyed much of the Incan culture and imposed Spanish culture onto the native population. Engraving depicting the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro exposing before King Carlos I of Spain the evidence of the discovery of the fabulous Empire of the Incas.
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.
Did the Spanish know the Inca Empire was awash with gold?
As a response to this: The Inca Empire was awash with gold, and the Spanish knew it. Writing for BBC History Revealed, Nige Tassell recounts how greed and God signalled its death knell Don’t miss out on the chace to claim your copy of Tracy Borman’s latest book when you subscribe today! Huayna Cápac had never known a fever like it.