Incan History Bits and Pieces

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The Incas were descended from a people who had settled in the valley of Cuzco. Their civilization was created by Manco Capac in the early twelfth century, but the Incas did not expand until the late 12th century. In 1438, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui took the throne, calling himself Earthshaker, he marched through the Andes conquering large parts of South America and turning them into a single mighty empire. His defeat of the Chancas was a turning point for the Incas. Pachacuti rebuilt Cuzco into a city of enormous stone palaces and temples, and brought his numerous provinces under the direction of a single government. His son Tupac Inca succeeded him in 1471, and after defeating the Chimu, he fained controlover the whole region, from Ecuador to the heart of Chile. Tupac was succeeded by Huayna Capac in 1493 and was then followed by his son Huascar. However the question of succession led to a civil war between Huascar and another brother Atahualpa, ending in 1532 with Atahualpa becoming the leader .The Incas were skilled in diplomacy and used negotiators to explain to tribal leaders the advantages of joining the empire rather than going to war. Local rulers were usually allowed to rule under Inca guidance. Tupac was succeeded by Huayna Capac in 1493 and was then followed by his son Huascar. However the question of succession led to a civil war between Huascar and another brother Atahualpa, ending in 1532 with Atahualpa the victor. The Incas were skilled in diplomacy and used negotiators to explain to tribal leaders the advantages of joining the empire rather than going to war. Local rulers were usually allowed to rule under Inca guidance. However if diplomacy failed, the Incas could muster a massive army, up to hundreds of thousands strong. They had the most formidable armed force in South America before the arrival of the Spaniards. All able bodied men between the

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