Essay on Inca Empire and Inca Foundations

Spanish Colonisation on the Incas
The Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire almost eradicated the Incan people and culture. The Inca population also decreased dramatically after the Spanish colonisation. As an effect of this conquest, many aspects of Incan culture were systematically destroyed and formidably changed. In addition to disease and population decrease, a large portion of the Inca population was enslaved and forced to work in the gold and silver mines. New buildings and cities were built by the Spanish on top of Inca foundations. Cities and towns were pillaged, along with a vast amount of traditional artwork, craft, and architecture.
The Incas arrived in 1200 CE, an indigenous group of hunters and gatherers, consisting of Ayllus, a group of families controlled by a Chief, called ‘Curaca’. The Incas are very religious people. The Inca's economy was very prosperous as Peru contained mines producing luxuries like gold and silver. The Incan pantheon consisted of many gods such as the creator god Viracocha, sun god Inti, thunder god Illapa and earth-mother goddess Pachamama, among others. There were also regional deities worshipped by people whom the Inca conquered. The Inca gods could be honoured in many ways, including prayers, fasting and animal sacrifice, but the most powerful form was that of human sacrifice, typically those of children and teenagers. Maize and meat were usually considered the super food of the Incas and were consumed by the maiden and her attendants in the year before they were sacrificed. In addition to these special food products, other goods consumed in the Inca diet include sweet potatoes, quinoa, beans and chili peppers. In exchange for all the labour the Incan government had to provide feasts to the people at certain times of the year, acting as a form of payment since the society lacked a form of currency.
After the Spanish had invaded they brought many illness and disease with them, killing of over 85% of the population. All the remaining survivors were enslaved. The Spanish forced the Incas to become Christians and the Incas were very religious people and fought back but were defeated. This also greatly impacted the Incan arts. Along with the Spanish ways of art making the Incan artwork was completely different from then on. The Spanish had also changed the language spoken in Peru due to communication issues.
The Spanish brought diseases with them, killing numerous Incas including

Show More

Aztec Agriculture

The Native American Experience Analysis

Essay on science stuff

Don Francisco Pizarro: Spanish Conquistador

Hernan Cortes Research Paper

Gilgamesh Research Paper

History Key Terms 2 Essay

Essay about ch 14 responses

Essay about Study Terms

Exam 1 Study Guide COMPLETE Essay