THE INCAN DECLINE - SUMMARY by Andre Guignard ANTH 100 (Sec !

"# N$n-%e&'ern Cu('ure& and ')e %e&'ern Tradi'i$n In&'ruc'$r# Dr S'e*en R +a,e& Tue& - Dec 11- .01. INTR/DUCTI/N In this short summary of "The Incan Decline," we will discuss the basics of the Incan empire and what defined the nation ranging from the influence of the surrounding environments to the unique, ritualistic religion that developed. Also will be reviewed is the impact of the Spanish conquistadors on the nation especially focusing on the brutal conquests of rancisco !i"arro. LI0E /0 INCAS 1RI/R T/ S1ANISH The Inca culture prior to Spanish rule were very diverse due to their e#pansive empire. The powerful nation occupied the modern day nations of $cuador, !eru, and part of Argentina and %olivia following the costal region of the Andes &ountain 'ange as well as occupying regions within. Due to a large difference in climate and environments that ranged from high altitudes to arid costal deserts, the Incas possessed strong diversity among their traditions and ways of living. $ach group of people had obtained their own ways of accommodating to their surroundings. Different strategies for cultivating the land and obtaining resources were developed such as developing villages close to rivers and oases in the deserts to developing terrace farming in the highlands. Some resources were difficult to obtain for certain communities and in order to obtain these resources neighboring villages and cities created roadways that made it easier to trade and communicate with others.

An e#tensive roadway system was only one of the many engineering feats that the aided in defining Incan society. The architectural remains of the empire have greatly helped anthropologists and historians piece together the culture and societal structure of the Incas. !yramid temples li(e that in the city of )usco and religious monuments have played a ma*or role in the social structure of the Incas but more importantly, their unique religious beliefs. The Incans believed in a specific religious system that was forces upon each region captured by the empire. A ma*or reason as to why the Spaniards *ustified their conquest was related to how inferior and ritualistic the Inca+s religion was to them. Savage behavior such as sacrificial ceremonies praising multiple deities frightened the Spaniards and sought out to conform their way of life. THE S1ANIARDS ARRI2AL rancisco !i"arro set sail around the ,-..+s on his first voyage to e#plore un(nown regions South of the /ew 0orld where tales of riches and savages were rumored to come from. rancisco in total made three e#peditions. The first failed in result of e#treme weather conditions. 1n the second e#pedition turned out successful when one of !i"arro+s crew members came across a small native raft filled with metals, te#tiles, and gold. After receiving permission to e#plore the land for further finds !i"arro, now *oined by 2ernando de Soto, proceeded on the city of Tumbes capturing and leaving the city in shambles. A civil war within the Incan empire had occured *ust prior to the arrival of the Spaniards on their third e#pedition. The war was between two half brothers for the rightful heir to the throne due to the death of their father. Atahualpa conquered and too( the title as ruler of Incan empire as the Spaniards arrived. Due to the recent war the

empire was wea( and allowed for !i"arro to easily capture the capital city of )usco. Although there were attempts for years after the conquest by Incans to recapture the empire, the advanced technology along with their introduction of diseases to the nation placed the Spaniards on rule.