Incas

Incas

Around the 1200s, the Incas were a small tribe in South America. In the 1400s, they began taking over nearby tribes. Soon the Inca Empire was one of the largest, richest empires in the world. It included parts of present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argetina.

Multiple Choice

Who did the Inca take over?

• Spain

• nearby tribes

• Mexico

If a conquered tribe was loyal to the Inca ruler, their local leaders could stay in power. These deals were good for everyone.

Multiple Choice

How could local leaders stay in power?

• They went to war

• if a conquered tribe was loyal to the Inca ruler

The Incas had a powerful government. Everyone followed the same laws and spoke the same language. Punishment was fast and harsh. No one broke the law!

Multiple Choice

Why didn't anyone break the law?

• They were nice people

• Punishment was harsh

• They would have to pay a fine

Taxes were based on the census. A census is a count of all the people and how they make a living. Men paid their tax by doing some work for the governent each year. They built palaces, public buildings, thousands of miles of well-paved roads, and set up trade routes.

Multiple Choice

How did men pay their tax?

• with gold

• selling vegetables

• doing work for the government

Multiple Choice

What were taxes based on?

• Census

• size of family

There were millions of people to feed! Terrace farming was used. Huge steps were built into the sides of the mountains so crops could grow on steep mountain slopes.

Multiple Choice

Huge steps built into sides of mountains so that crops could grow were called what?

• Planter boxes

• terrace farming

• step farming

The Incas collected rainfall and the melted snow from the Andes mountaintops. They build aqueducts that carried water to where it was needed.

Multiple Choice

Where did the Incas get water?

• from a well

• rainfall and melted snow

• the store

Everyone was well fed, and no one was homeless. If there was a disaster, soldiers brought food and supplies.

Multiple Choice

What happened if there was a disaster?

• soldiers brought food and supplies

• everyone ran away

• people had no food

The Incas believed in many gods. They had many festivals honoring the gods. There was dancing and feasting. Sometimes the sacrificed people.

Multiple Choice

Who did the festivals celebrate?

• King

• gods

Around 1530, the Spanish came to South America and took over. The Inca empire is gone, but Incas still live in Peru.

Multiple Choice

Are there still Incas living now?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Write one thing you learned about the Incas