The Inca was powerful indigenous (native) group from South America. They built a large empire in South America that extended through the Andes Mountains and along the west coast. By 1525, the empire stretched 2,600 miles. They were excellent architects and engineers and built a large network of roads and bridges. (See middle image for greatest accomplishments.) These helped their strong central government control even the most distant parts of the empire. The Inca believed in many gods.

Question

The Spanish came to South America in 1532 looking for gold. Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas by 1533, destroying cities, taking valuable resources, and killing many Incans.
Native Point of View

Answer 1

From the perspective of the Inca people, the arrival of the Spanish in 1532 marked a devastating turning point in their history. The Inca Empire, with its rich cultural traditions, advanced societal structures, and deep spiritual beliefs, felt the shock of foreign invasion deeply.

For centuries, the Inca had flourished, maintaining a vast network of roads that united diverse peoples and allowing for efficient administration, trade, and communication across their expansive territory. Their achievements in agriculture, architecture, and engineering not only demonstrated their ingenuity but also their harmony with the environment. They revered the land and considered the mountains sacred, believing their gods resided within them. Religion and community were intertwined, reflecting a society that valued collective well-being and the balance of nature.

When the Spanish arrived, they brought with them foreign diseases that decimated the Inca population, weakening their ability to resist. The lust for gold and resources fueled their brutality, and the Spanish exploitation of the land led to the destruction of sacred places and cities. Pizarro and his men were invaders who disregarded the Inca way of life, seeing only wealth to be seized rather than a rich civilization to be respected.

The Inca faced immense suffering as hundreds of thousands were killed, enslaved, or displaced. Their vibrant culture, which celebrated unity, ancestry, and reverence for nature, was threatened by the imposition of foreign beliefs and systems. Despite this overwhelming devastation, many Inca people resisted, adapting to new realities while also striving to preserve their heritage.

In hindsight, the experience of the Inca under Spanish colonial rule serves as a stark reminder of the resilience of indigenous cultures faced with external threats, as well as the importance of remembering and honoring their history, wisdom, and contributions to humanity.