12. The Inca - Cities in the Cloud (Part 1 of 2)

Summary

The Inca Empire, known for its vast network of roads and centralized economy, flourished in the Andes. At its peak, the empire maintained a strict social structure, with shared ownership of land and communal labor, orchestrated through a complex system of quipus. However, internal divisions, such as a civil war between the sons of Emperor Huayna Capac, weakened the empire. Amid this turmoil, the Inca faced a devastating plague and rumors of foreign invaders. In 1532, the Spanish conquistadors arrived, setting the stage for the empire’s collapse, marking the tragic intersection of two worlds.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Inca Empire's economy was highly organized and centrally controlled, with labor taxes replaced by communal work and contributions to common storehouses.
• 😀 Inca society provided resources to families, including land, seeds, tools, and llamas, in exchange for labor and food contributions.
• 😀 Inca labor was organized through the mit'a system, where citizens would serve in various capacities, such as in construction, workshops, or as messengers and soldiers.
• 😀 Inca society was highly hierarchical, and peasants had little independence, with even inspections of homes to ensure no accumulation of wealth beyond the prescribed limits.
• 😀 Textiles were a critical resource in Andean society, and women played a central role in textile production, from spinning to weaving.
• 😀 The Inca used the quipu system, a complex set of knots, to record vital information such as population counts, military strength, and food production, without written records.
• 😀 The Inca Empire was at its peak in 1500, but internal challenges, including disease and civil war, were already weakening the empire.
• 😀 The death of Emperor Huayna Capac in 1527, potentially due to an unknown disease, was a turning point, leaving the empire vulnerable to internal strife and outside forces.
• 😀 A power struggle ensued between Huayna Capac's sons, Atahualpa and Huascar, leading to a devastating civil war that weakened the empire further.
• 😀 Atahualpa, one of the sons, became known for his ruthlessness and military campaigns, but he was unaware that European invaders were about to arrive and would play a significant role in the empire's downfall.

Q & A

What role did the Inca state play in supporting the marriage of couples?

When an Inca couple married, the state provided them with a house, a plot of land, seeds, and tools to help produce enough food for themselves. They were also given two llamas for transportation, wool, and manure for farming. The state ensured the couple had the resources to support their family.

What was the purpose of the 'mit’a' system in Inca society?

The 'mit’a' system was a form of labor tax where citizens were required to perform work for the state, such as construction, making cloth, pottery, or serving in the military. In return, the state provided food, clothing, and accommodation. This system helped maintain the Inca Empire's infrastructure and services.

How did the Inca keep track of their complex economy and population?

The Inca used a system of quipus, which were knotted strings that recorded information such as the number of taxpayers, soldiers, and goods produced. These records were maintained by specialized officials known as quipucamayoc, allowing the state to efficiently manage its economy without written language.

What role did women play in the textile production of the Andes?

Women were responsible for textile production in the Andes. They spun, dyed, wove, and plaited raw materials to create cloth, thread, and rope, which were essential for clothing, storage, and transportation. Women often spun thread while going about their daily tasks, using drop spindles.

What significance did cloth have in Andean society?

Cloth was a vital resource in the Andes, used for clothing, containers to store food, and various other practical purposes. It was one of the most important resources, second only to food and water, and was crucial for daily life in the Andean society.

How was the Inca Empire’s hierarchy structured?

The Inca society had a rigid hierarchy with little independence or power for the common people. Nobles were exempt from labor taxes, and the authorities even conducted inspections to ensure that commoners did not possess gold, silver, or excessive wealth, such as owning more than ten animals.

How did the Inca government maintain its infrastructure?

The Inca Empire maintained its infrastructure through centrally coordinated labor systems like the 'mit’a' and through a well-developed road network that allowed for efficient communication and transportation across the empire. The state ensured that resources were distributed and used efficiently to support the empire.

What marked the death of the Inca emperor Huayna Capac in 1527?

Emperor Huayna Capac’s death in 1527 was a turning point for the Inca Empire. He died suddenly from a mysterious disease, possibly smallpox. His death led to a civil war between his sons, Atahualpa and Huascar, which weakened the empire significantly before the arrival of Europeans.

What did Huayna Capac's prophecy predict for the future of the Inca Empire?

Huayna Capac’s dying words foretold the arrival of an unknown race of men who would subdue the Inca Empire. This prophecy likely referred to the Spanish conquistadors, who would soon arrive in the Inca lands and eventually lead to the empire's downfall.

How did the arrival of European powers impact the Inca Empire?

The arrival of European powers, specifically the Spanish, caused immense disruption to the Inca Empire. Not only did they bring diseases that devastated the population, but the civil war within the Inca Empire further weakened it, making it vulnerable to conquest. The Spanish would eventually topple the Inca Empire through a combination of military force and disease.