what had weakened the incan empire before the spanish conquered it

Answer 1

There are several factors that weakened the Incan Empire before the Spanish conquest:

1. Civil war and internal strife: The Incan Empire experienced a period of civil war and internal conflict following the death of the Emperor Huayna Capac in 1527. The struggle for power between his sons, Huascar and Atahualpa, divided the empire and weakened its unity.

2. Disease: The Incan Empire was devastated by outbreaks of European diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, which were brought by the Spanish conquistadors. The indigenous population had little immunity to these diseases, leading to widespread mortality and weakening the empire's social structure and economy.

3. Spanish interference and manipulation: The Spanish conquistadors took advantage of the internal divisions within the Incan Empire and exploited them to their advantage. They allied with dissident factions and instigated conflicts between rival groups, further weakening the empire.

4. Technological and military superiority of the Spanish: The Spanish conquistadors possessed advanced weaponry, such as guns and cannons, as well as horses, which gave them a significant military advantage over the Incan forces. The Incans, on the other hand, primarily relied on traditional weapons such as spears and slings.

5. Lack of centralized leadership: The death of Emperor Huayna Capac without a clear succession plan led to a power vacuum within the empire, making it easier for the Spanish conquistadors to exploit the situation and conquer the weakened empire.