Inca Empire and Huayna Capac

The Inca Empire and Huayna Capac

• Huayna Capac, the 12th Inca, expanded the empire from present-day Colombia to Chile and from the Pacific Ocean to the Amazon basin.
• He devoted the last years of his reign to pacifying the northern edge of the empire.

The Smallpox Epidemic

• Huayna Capac contracted smallpox, a disease introduced to the Americas by European explorers.
• Smallpox, along with other diseases such as measles, cholera, malaria, and yellow fever, spread rapidly throughout the Americas, claiming countless native lives.

Succession Crisis

• Huayna Capac designated his son Ninan Cuyochi as his heir, but Ninan Cuyochi died of smallpox before ascending to the throne.
• This led to a succession crisis, as the empire's power was typically transferred from father to son.

The Brothers' Conflict

• Huascar, another son of Huayna Capac, was crowned Sapa Inca in Cusco with the support of the main royal families.
• Atahualpa, another half-brother, stayed in Quito and showed interest in military issues, unlike Huascar.
• Atahualpa didn't attend Huayna Capac's funeral nor Huascar's coronation, arousing Huascar's suspicions and leading to the Inca Civil War.

The Inca Civil War

• Huascar launched a military campaign against Atahualpa to consolidate his authority over the empire.
• Atahualpa had the support of his father's veteran troops and three experienced generals: Calcuchímac, Quisquis, and Rumiñahui.
• Huascar's army was initially defeated, and his general Atoc was captured, tortured, and killed.
• Atahualpa's generals pushed Huascar's army back until they reached the outskirts of Cusco.

The Turning Point

• Huascar personally led his troops to victory in the battle of Huanacopampa, but failed to pursue Quisquis and Calcuchimac's armies, allowing them to regroup and set up an ambush.
• Huascar was captured, and his army was annihilated.

The Aftermath

• Atahualpa's generals massacred Huascar's remaining troops, and Huascar's royal lineage was eliminated.
• Atahualpa arrived in Cajamarca, awaiting news of his troops' final attack on the capital.

The Arrival of the Spanish

• Atahualpa received reports of strange foreigners with beards arriving on the coasts of the empire in huge floating houses, with unknown beasts and thunderous sticks.
• Despite being informed of the foreigners' violent behavior, Atahualpa allowed them to advance, unaware of the danger they posed.

The Inca Empire and Huayna Capac

• Huayna Capac expanded the empire from present-day Colombia to Chile and from the Pacific Ocean to the Amazon basin.
• He spent the last years of his reign pacifying the northern edge of the empire.

The Smallpox Epidemic

• Huayna Capac contracted smallpox, a disease introduced to the Americas by European explorers.
• Smallpox, along with other diseases, spread rapidly throughout the Americas, claiming countless native lives.

Succession Crisis

• Huayna Capac designated his son Ninan Cuyochi as his heir, but Ninan Cuyochi died of smallpox before ascending to the throne.
• This led to a succession crisis, as the empire's power was typically transferred from father to son.

The Brothers' Conflict

• Huascar, another son of Huayna Capac, was crowned Sapa Inca in Cusco with the support of the main royal families.
• Atahualpa, another half-brother, stayed in Quito and showed interest in military issues, unlike Huascar.
• Atahualpa's absence from Huayna Capac's funeral and Huascar's coronation aroused Huascar's suspicions.

The Inca Civil War

• Huascar launched a military campaign against Atahualpa to consolidate his authority over the empire.
• Atahualpa had the support of his father's veteran troops and three experienced generals.
• Huascar's army was initially defeated, and his general Atoc was captured, tortured, and killed.

The Turning Point

• Huascar personally led his troops to victory in the battle of Huanacopampa, but failed to pursue Quisquis and Calcuchimac's armies.
• Huascar was captured, and his army was annihilated.

The Aftermath

• Atahualpa's generals massacred Huascar's remaining troops, and Huascar's royal lineage was eliminated.
• Atahualpa arrived in Cajamarca, awaiting news of his troops' final attack on the capital.

The Arrival of the Spanish

• Atahualpa received reports of strange foreigners with beards arriving on the coasts of the empire in huge floating houses, with unknown beasts and thunderous sticks.
• Despite being informed of the foreigners' violent behavior, Atahualpa allowed them to advance, unaware of the danger they posed.