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.
Who were the Inca?

Answer 1

The Inca were a powerful indigenous group that established a vast empire in South America, primarily concentrated in the Andes Mountains and extending along the western coast of the continent. At their height, by 1525, the Inca Empire stretched approximately 2,600 miles and encompassed a diverse range of cultures and peoples. They were known for their exceptional architectural and engineering skills, which enabled them to build an extensive network of roads and bridges that facilitated communication and control across their expansive territory.

The Inca society was highly organized and featured a strong central government that managed the administration of their empire, agriculture, and trade. They practiced a polytheistic religion, believing in many gods who governed different aspects of life and nature.

The Inca Empire encountered significant disruption when Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, arrived in the 1530s in search of gold and other riches. Pizarro successfully conquered the Inca by 1533, leading to widespread destruction of cities, the seizure of valuable resources, and a devastating loss of life among the Inca population. This marked the beginning of a significant period of European colonization and upheaval in South America.