EMPIRE IN THE CLOUDSThe Pre-Columbian Inca

“THE LARGEST EMPIRE IN AMERICA”

“THE LARGEST EMPIRE IN AMERICA”

Regional states dominated the region from 1250-1438

1438: Pachacuti became ruler of the Inca Launched military

campaigns against neighboring peoples

By the end of the 15th century, Inca Empire stretches 2,500 miles Distance from Washington

DC to Los Angeles

NO SMALL TASK: RULING THE EMPIRE

How does a small group of people rule over a much larger group of people?

Tactics used by the Inca to control their subjects: Captured members of the ruling classes from

subjected peoples Rewarded obedience – gave them choice land,

economic benefits Forced rebellious people to resettle in remote

parts of the empire

THE NITTY-GRITTY

No written language That’s a problem…. Solution: quipu Different colors, knots, lengths Allowed government officials to

record information about population, taxes, labor services

Getting around Inca road system – all roads led to

Cuzco (Inca capital) What does this encourage?

Centralized government Sharing of information

THE I-95 OF THE 15TH CENTURY

Two main roads that led to Cuzco One through mountains, one

along coast Combined length: 10,000

miles!!! Paved with stone, shaded with

trees Kept up by a municipal service

(NJDOT of its day) Facilitated spread of Inca

religion, language, etc. Economic impact?

Facilitated trade!

TRADE AND ECONOMY Most trade was local

Barter system Farmers traded their crops for tools, clothes, etc.

2/3 of a farmer’s crop would be given as taxes to the government Government store-houses in case of famine

Long-distance trade within the empire did exist All trade went through the central government Merchants were not allowed to become

“independent merchants” No capitalism yet…

What are the benefits and disadvantages of a state-controlled economy?

CLASS STRUCTURE

Rulers God-king; infallible Technically, Inca rulers owned EVERYTHING in

the Inca Empire Aristocrats

Ran the government; led privileged lives Ate well, dressed nice

Priests Usually came from aristocratic families Very important to Inca society

Peasants Everybody else; worked their entire lives to

survive

The Inca primarily worshipped the sun as a god; also recognized other natural forces (moon, stars, rain, etc.) as divine

SIN AND MORAL THOUGHT

Inca believed in an afterlife People would receive

rewards or punishments depending on how they lived their lives

Sin Violated the natural order Could bring “divine disaster”

for individuals or their entire community

What effect would this have? Peer Pressure! Don’t sin or

we’re all in trouble

Ritual Sacrifice? Yes but on a different….level

Humans were occasionally sacrificed, but guinea pigs and alpacas were much more common targets