Inca -- Fall of the Empire

Inca -- Fall of the Empire

by Caitlin Irwin

Open Ended

What continent did the conquistadors come from?

Multiple Choice

Do we know why the Aztec Empire fell?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Give one reason the Aztec Empire fell.

​No new emperor

​When the Sapa Inca died, two of his sons claimed the throne. This led to a civil war.

​

The war lasted five years. One brother finally won the war, but the people were exhausted.

​

Multiple Choice

What is a civil war?

• a war with another country

• a war between two groups of the same country

• taking over another empire

​Weakened Army

​The army had been weakened by many deaths. New warriors had not yet been trained in enough numbers to replace them.

​

When the battles were over, the son named Atahualpa (/ah*tah*wahl*pah/) had won.

Open Ended

What state were the Incas in after the civil war?

​Spanish Conquistadors

​Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro had heard rumors of an empire in South America that was even richer than the Aztec Empire. In 1527, Pizarro led a group of about 160 men to find this empire.

​Conquistadors

Many Spanish soldiers and explorers traveled to the Americas after Christopher Columbus made the first trip in 1492.

​

These conquistadors sailed to the Americas to conquer the native peoples, to spread Christianity, and to look for gold and other treasure.

​Lots of Gold!

​When Pizarro found Inca temples decorated with gold and silver, he figured he had found what he was looking for.

​Spanish invade

​The Spaniards marched toward Cuzco. They traveled along the very roads that the Inca had built to unite their empire.

​

Meanwhile, speedy Inca messengers told Atahualpa that the Spaniards were coming.

​Outnumbered

​Pizarro knew they were in trouble the minute he entered their fabulous capital city. There was gold everywhere. There were people everywhere. There were temples and beautiful art. This was a civilization, and an organized one. Pizarro and his men planned all night how to escape. They knew they had very little chance of success.

​Friendly meeting

​The next morning, the Sapa Inca visited the Spanish. He brought about 2000 attendants and priests with him, which for the Sapa Inca, was normal. None of the 2000 attendants were armed. None were warriors.

​Trouble starts....

​The Spanish grabbed the Sapa Inca, holding him tightly by the throat. The 2000 attendants and priests did not know what to do. Nobody touched the Sapa Inca without his permission.

​

The Spanish quickly killed nearly all the 2000 attendants, while they stood frozen in shock.

Ransom

​The Sapa Inca was startled, but he was also a quick thinker. From listening to the men, he learned that all they wanted was gold and silver. He offered them a ransom for his release, a room full of gold and silver. The Spanish could take it and safely leave.

​Spanish takes gold

​The Spanish took the gold and silver and then....

Open Ended

What do you predict will happen next?

​Sapa Inca is Killed!!

​The Spanish killed the Sapa Inca!

Open Ended

What did the Spanish do to trick the Inca?

​Incas loose

​The Sapa Inca’s death was the beginning of the end for the Inca Empire.

​

But they had been:

1. weakened by civil war

2. ​sick from diseases

3. ​didn't have good weapons

​Smallpox

​An outbreak of smallpox also swept through the city. This disease was carried by the conquistadors.

​

The Aztec had no immunities against European diseases.

​Spanish take over

​By June of 1534, Pizarro had conquered Cuzco and Quito. A few years later, the Spanish conquest of the region was mostly complete.

Open Ended

Why did the Inca Empire fall?

Multiple Choice

Do we know why the Inca Empire fell?

• yes

• no