Incan Empire and Urbanism Challenges

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What event triggered an imperial crisis for Inka nobles?

The spread of Old World diseases (correct)

The arrival of Spanish conquistadores

The discovery of gold in Peru

Internal conflicts among Andean leaders

Which conquistador obtained permission to expedition along the Pacific coast?

Diego de Almagro

Hernán Cortés

Francisco Pizarro (correct)

Fernando de Luque

How did the Spanish model of colonization originally operate?

Through state-sponsored trading expeditions

By establishing permanent settlements immediately

Via military expeditions funded by noblemen (correct)

Using peaceful trade agreements

What was a common outcome for many early private ventures in exploration?

Economic ruin for some survivors Signup and view all the answers

What allowed Spanish conquistadores to survive long enough to form alliances with Andean elites?

A combination of luck and strategy Signup and view all the answers

What strategy was similar to the Spanish approach in the conquest of the Americas?

Taking prisoners and valuable plunder Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of noblemen who mounted military expeditions in the Iberian model?

To secure royal titles and economic benefits Signup and view all the answers

What significant issue did Inka nobles face during the time of the Spanish arrival?

A power vacuum due to internal conflicts Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of Cusco in the Inka Empire?

It acted as the capital where diverse regions were unified. Signup and view all the answers

Which group was primarily responsible for sending human sacrifices and laborers to Cusco?

Provincial lords and officials Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Coya have during imperial ceremonies?

She performed central roles alongside the Inka ruler. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges did the Inka face as their empire grew?

Maintaining the royal couple's presence at the imperial center. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Inka emperor maintain control over the large empire?

By sending soldiers and officials from Cusco. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of solar observations conducted in Cusco?

To maintain the imperial calendar and manage agricultural cycles. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the purposes of public celebrations in Cusco?

To rank the different royal houses within the Inka dynasty. Signup and view all the answers

Which object or figure played a sacred role during the Inka ceremonies?

Ancestral mummies. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Requerimiento document read by the Spanish?

To announce intentions of missionary work Signup and view all the answers

How did the Spanish interpreters affect the understanding of their message?

They introduced uncertainty through mistranslation Signup and view all the answers

What did the Spaniards claim to be servants of in the Requerimiento?

The creator of the universe Signup and view all the answers

How did the Spaniards attempt to intimidate the Indigenous people?

By firing guns and showing horsemanship Signup and view all the answers

What was one belief that Atahuallpa held regarding the Spaniards?

They may have come from the creator Viracocha Signup and view all the answers

How did the Spanish representation of themselves differ from the realities perceived by the Inka?

Inka advisors recognized them as merely mortal men. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the Inka to news of Pizarro’s progress during the civil war?

They received updates from chroniclers about the situation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the hybrid understanding of the Spaniards' identity by the Andean people?

Some believed they were invaders sent by gods, while others knew they were human. Signup and view all the answers

What was Atahuallpa's initial action to try to secure his release from Spanish captivity?

He offered a rich ransom of gold and silver. Signup and view all the answers

How did Pizarro utilize the time spent waiting for the ransom from Atahuallpa?

He melted down the ransom to distribute among his men. Signup and view all the answers

What did Atahuallpa's attempt to position himself for freedom involve?

Assembling a royal court in his prison. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred regarding Huascar while Atahuallpa was imprisoned?

Huascar was killed by Atahuallpa's captains. Signup and view all the answers

Who was crowned as Inka after Atahuallpa's execution?

Tupa Huallpa. Signup and view all the answers

What benefit did the Andean nobility gain from their new identity as Christian subjects?

They were allowed to give sworn testimony in legal cases. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Spanish legal system have on Inka noblewomen during colonization?

Much of their power and influence disappeared. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Tupa Huallpa's journey to Cusco?

He fell ill and died, allegedly poisoned. Signup and view all the answers

What was a potential motive for Andean elites to align with the Spaniards?

To gain independence from Inka rule. Signup and view all the answers

How did the kurakas adapt under Spanish rule?

They were recognized as noblemen managing tribute collection. Signup and view all the answers

What was Pizarro’s reaction to the news of Atahuallpa's alleged conspiracy against the Spaniards?

He executed Atahuallpa. Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable action taken by the Spanish viceroy Francisco de Toledo in the 1570s?

He implemented new censuses counted by Spanish officials. Signup and view all the answers

What suspicion did Spanish colonists have towards the kurakas?

They suspected kurakas of enriching themselves through excess tribute. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Inka noblemen contribute to the Spanish colonial economy?

By mobilizing tribute from local populations. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the motivations behind the resettlement of rural populations into Spanish-style towns?

To facilitate easier supervision by Spanish authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the administrative practices of the Inka nobility under Spanish strategies?

They were attacked based on Inka-era precedents. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Inka Empire and Challenges

Andean region's diversity and limited pre-Inka urbanism complicated imperial governance.
Cusco served as the capital, perceived as a universal center connecting human and supernatural realms.
Unlike imperial China, Tawantinsuyu lacked strong ethnic unity; most Inka lived near Cusco.
Provincial lords visited Cusco to engage with the Inka ruler and fulfill tribute obligations.
Public ceremonies in Cusco ranked royal houses (panaqa) and distinguished Inka nobility from subjects.
Imperial calendar and agricultural management relied on solar observations conducted in Cusco.

Reactions to European Invasion

The spread of Old World diseases led to a crisis within the Inka Empire, prompting nobles to seek power consolidation.
Spanish conquistadores exploited the turmoil, forming alliances with Andean elites for colonial takeover.
Francisco Pizarro formed expeditions based on rumors of indigenous wealth, influenced by historical patterns of noble military ventures.

The Conquistador Model

Spanish noblemen sought territory and wealth through military expeditions, offering captured land for royal recognition.
The Requerimiento declared Spanish intentions to convert Indigenous peoples, creating uncertainty due to mistranslations.
Mythical associations with Viracocha, the Inka creator god, arose due to the conquistadors’ claim of divine representation.

Inka-Spanish Alliances

Atahuallpa offered a significant ransom for his release after capture, maintaining power while under Spanish watch.
Huascar’s death during strife complicated loyalties, as Andean elites sought alliances with Pizarro against Atahuallpa.
After Atahuallpa’s execution, his half-brother Tupa Huallpa was installed as the new Inka, aligning with Spanish interests.

Changes in Nobility and Power Dynamics

Andean nobility gained Christian legal status, allowing property protection and inheritance, impacting gender power dynamics.
Inka elite gradually adapted to Spanish societal structures, shifting from imperial officials to Christian subjects.
Spanish colonists mistrusted local kurakas, attributing blames such as excess tribute collection and maintaining indigenous customs.

The New Political Economy

The 1570s saw viceroy Francisco de Toledo implementing policies to diminish Inka nobility's influence.
Enforcement of new censuses and resettlement of populations aimed at easier governance and labor regulation.
Toledo’s reform efforts challenged traditional Inka governance and reflected a shift in administrative practices.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the complexities of the Incan Empire, focusing on the diversity of the Andean region and the challenges posed by its limited pre-Inka urbanism. Understand how the Inkas maintained order and viewed Cusco as the universal center connecting human and supernatural realms.