Incan Empire

Where they came from

The Inca originally lived in the high plateau of
the Andes.
They eventually settled established their capital
in the Valley of Cuzco.
They also had huge magnificent cities such as the
lost city, Machu Picchu.
Inca grows
At first the Incan kingdom grew slowly.
In 1438, a powerful and ambitious ruler,
Pachacuti, took the throne.
Under his leadership the Inca conquered Peru.
The Incas would eventually include a home of as
many as 16 million people.
Incans practice diplomacy
The Incans accomplished great things through
diplomacy (The art of dealing with people in a
sensitive and effective way) and military force.
Although they could fight, they used force only
when necessary.
Before attacking, they typically offered an
honorable surrender.
Because of this treatment, many states gave up
without fighting.
Incan People
The Incan people had a powerful military
The army and political organization helped the
Incans become the largest Native American
society.
Incan Social Structure
Sapa
Inca
Military
Priests
Common People
Inca Trail
The Incans had many ways to keep their
empire organized.
One of the most significant was the system
of roads that connected the Incan empire
Not really roads as they had no wheeled vehicles
Well maintained paths that could fit two people at a
time
Some are still usable today
Trail Stations every 2 to 3 miles
2 Young men at every trail station
Used for quick delivery or communication throughout
the empire
Like the Pony Express without the ponies
Incan organization
In addition to roads, the Incans also made
everyone learn the same language.
They founded schools to teach Incan ways.
All of these actions were calculated to unify the
variety of people controlled by the Inca.
This helped make the Inca Empire unified and
strong.
Incan welfare system
In general, local administration was left in the
hands of local rulers, and villages were allowed
to continue their traditional ways.
The only demand the Incas placed on people
was for them to work.
The Incan system was a form of welfare for
people who could not work.
Mainly elders and wounded soldiers
No written language
Despite their intelligence and sophistication, the
Incas never developed a writing system.
History and literature were memorized as part of
an oral tradition.
Why do you think this is?
Incan religion
Although religion was very important, the
Incans worshipped fewer gods than the Aztecs.
Opposed to human sacrifices, the Incans
sacrificed llamas for the gods.
They also exchanged goods as part of their
religious activities.
Gold!!!
Gold, was a huge metal the Inca referred to as
sweat of the sun.
In fact, gold was a common sight throughout
the Cuzco.
Gold was so common in the area, that it was
worthless to the Incans.