Questions and Answers
In what modern day country was the Inca civilization formed?
Peru
Describe the Inca Empire by the early 1500s.
It stretched along the western coast of South America and included coastal deserts, snowy mountains, fertile valleys, and thick forests. There were about 12 million people in the empire. The Incas had a strong central government.
What were two things Paracuti did to ensure the people he conquered did not have too much power?
- Paracuti began a policy of removing local leaders and replacing them with officials he trusted. 2. Paracuti made the children of conquered leaders travel to Cuzco to learn about Inca government and religion.
What was the official Inca language called?
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What was one way the Inca government strictly controlled the economy?
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What activities did Incas perform to help the government?
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How did the mita work?
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What did the Inca government do instead of having merchants or markets?
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Who made up the upper and lower classes in Inca society?
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What was one privilege Inca rulers enjoyed?
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How did farmers in the warmer valleys compare to farmers in the cooler mountains?
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Why did the Incas believe their rulers never really died?
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What did the Incas sacrifice in their religious ceremonies?
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Why did the Inca outside of the capital perform sacrifices on certain mountaintops, rocks, and springs?
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What were the Incas best known for in terms of architecture?
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What was important about the system of roads the Inca built throughout their empire?
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What was one of the most impressive works of art the Incas produced?
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What were Inca weavers known for making?
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How did the Incas keep records?
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How did the Incas pass down their history orally?
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Why do we have some written records of the Incas?
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Who won the civil war among the Inca rulers in the late 1520s?
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What did Atahualpa do to try and win his freedom after being captured?
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How many tons of precious metals did the Incas give to the Spanish?
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Why did the Spanish kill Atahualpa despite the huge payment?
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In what year did the Spanish defeat the last of the Incas?
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In what year did the ruler Pachacuti begin to expand Inca territory?
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By what year was the Inca Empire considered huge?
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About how many people lived in the Inca Empire?
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What was the official Inca language called?
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List at least four jobs Incas performed in the mita.
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How much personal freedom did the Inca people have?
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What did the Inca government protect for all the people in the empire?
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How many main social classes did the Inca have?
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What was Machu Picchu?
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What did most Incas do for a living?
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Did the Incas practice slavery?
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What did priests sometimes bring to many Inca ceremonies and why did they do that?
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Did the Incas practice human sacrifice?
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Why did the Incas not write down any of their history?
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In what year did the Spaniards defeat the last of the Incas?
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Study Notes
Inca Civilization Overview
- The Inca civilization was located in modern-day Peru.
- By the early 1500s, the Inca Empire spanned the western coast of South America, encompassing diverse environments and approximately 12 million inhabitants.
- The empire had a centralized government ensuring control over vast territories.
Expansion Under Parachuti
- Parachuti, the ruler around 1348, expanded the empire significantly.
- Implemented a strategy of replacing local leaders with trusted officials to prevent power from local elites.
- Required children of conquered leaders to study in Cuzco, returning as Inca representatives in their villages.
Language and Economic Control
- The official Inca language was Quechua, facilitating communication across the empire despite the presence of many languages.
- The government dictated occupations, restraining personal choice, and enforced a labor tax system called mita.
Mita Labor Tax System
- Mita mandated that Incas perform jobs for the government without pay. Roles included farming government land, making goods, serving in the army, working in mines, and building infrastructure.
- Inca economy operated without merchants or marketplaces; goods were distributed by government officials, with reserves for emergencies.
Social Structure and Daily Life
- Inca society was divided into two social classes: the upper class (emperor, priests, officials) lived in luxury, while the lower class (farmers, artisans) led simpler lives, growing vital crops like maize and potatoes.
- There were no slaves; instead, individuals were bound by societal roles and limited in personal possessions.
Religious Beliefs and Practices
- Incas believed rulers were descendants of the sun god, leading to ceremonies involving mummies of former kings, who received offerings.
- Sacrifices primarily involved llamas, textiles, and food rather than human offerings, unlike contemporary civilizations.
Architectural and Agricultural Innovations
- The Incas were skilled builders, recognized for their expert masonry, constructing durable structures without cement.
- They engineered a vast network of roads, enhancing army mobility and commerce across their empire.
Art and Record Keeping
- Created intricate artworks, notably a life-sized cornfield of gold and silver.
- In absence of a writing system, records were kept via Quipus—knotted cords that conveyed numerical data and information about vital resources.
Conquest and Collapse
- The Inca Empire faced internal conflict following Atahualpa's victory over Huascar vying for power. However, the civil war weakened their defenses.
- Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured Atahualpa in 1532, leading to an enormous ransom of 24 tons of precious metals but resulted in Atahualpa's execution to prevent unity against the Spanish.
- The final defeat of the Incas occurred in 1537, marking the beginning of a 300-year period of Spanish control over Inca lands.
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Description
Explore the fascinating history of the Inca civilization in this study guide quiz. Discover key facts about their empire, including its geographical expanse and cultural significance. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of Chapter 16!
