Inca Empire Review

Who was the main ruler of the Inca Empire and what was his status?

• The main ruler was the tlatoani, and he was elected by the nobles.

• The main ruler was the Sapa Inca, and he was considered a divine ruler.

• The main ruler was the emperor, and he shared power with a council.

• The main ruler was a king who was chosen by the military generals.

What did the Incas build to allow for quick movement of troops and resources?

• The Incas built a large fleet of ships for sea travel.

• The Incas built a vast network of roads and communication systems.

• The Incas dug a series of canals to connect their major cities.

• The Incas used carrier pigeons to send messages between regions.

How did the belief in a divine ruler act as a political strength?

• It helped to unify the diverse groups within the empire.

• It encouraged conquered people to keep their own religions.

• It made the government more flexible and open to change.

• It ensured that the ruler had to follow the will of the people.

Why was the reliance on a single leader a political weakness?

• The single leader often made poor decisions for the empire.

• The leader's death could create a power vacuum and instability.

• The single leader had to share power with regional governors.

• The leader was required to consult with priests before any action.

What major problem could happen when the Sapa Inca died?

• The empire would immediately break apart into smaller states.

• The economy of the empire would collapse without a leader.

• A struggle for control could break out among potential successors.

• The capital city would be moved to a new location.

What made it difficult for the Incas to control their vast territory?

• The territory extended through various climates and regions.

• The territory was constantly being attacked by foreign invaders.

• The territory had no natural resources to support the people.

• The territory was too small to be managed by a single ruler.

What agricultural technique did the Incas use to farm on mountainsides?

• They used chinampas, or floating gardens, in lakes.

• They used irrigation to bring water from rivers to deserts.

• They practiced terracing by building steps on mountains.

• They used a three-field system to rotate their crops.

What was the mit’a system?

• It was a system of currency based on cocoa beans.

• It was a religious festival held once every year.

• It was a system where citizens worked on state projects.

• It was a written code of laws for the entire empire.

How were terracing and the mit’a system economic strengths?

• They allowed the Incas to grow food in a difficult environment.

• They made every citizen in the empire wealthy.

• They were used to trade with neighboring empires.

• They eliminated the need for a government or ruler.

What was a major weakness of relying on the mit’a system?

• The system was only used for building religious temples.

• Labor could be stretched thin during a crisis or invasion.

• The citizens were not given anything in return for their work.

• Only the nobles were required to participate in the system.