War and Corruption Brings Down Empire 1529-1532

The Inca Empire was a race of powerful, wealthy and religious people. The Incas may have or still be looked at as a race a bloodthirsty barbarians, but in truth they were knowledgeable and intelligent. They created magnificent cities, and had inventions that left even their Spanish conquerors awe struck when they viewed these marvels. As we studied, the Incas were brought down by horses, disease, and their own civil war.

So how did such a war happen? This massive empire that had lasted for centuries, fully prepared with armies and inventions that would ensure the success of the empire. They had a powerful ruler, who hat utmost control over his empire.

                                                                                                                           (Pizarro)--->

In a way, it could be said that Francisco Pizarro unintentionally caused the civil war, just 

as he unintentionally wiped out the majority of the Inca population. While Pizarro explored South America, he drew the attention of the Inca Emperor.What you may not know is that Atahualpa, the emperor who was credited as the emperor during the Spanish invasion, was not the emperor of the Incas at the time of the Spanish conquest. Huayna Capac, was the successful ruler who commanded the loyalty of his subjects at the time. He ruled the Inca empire at its height and he expanded it greatly to its maximum size. He went north, although debated whether it was to investigate Pizarro, or it he was just on another campaign. 

It was north in Colombia ( this is debated as well) that he was infected with Small Pox, although he never met the Spanish. Pizarro had unintentionally struck his first blow to the Inca empire the began the domino effect of that would lead to the deaths of possible millions people.
                      Atahualpa                                                                                            Huascar
Since the emperor was dead, the Inca needed a new ruler to take command of the empire.Was Atahulpa the heir to the throne then? Nope. Ninan Cuyochi was the heir and eldest of Capac. Unfortunately he was on the same expedition as his father, and he died from small pox shortly after as well. Without a ruler or an heir the Inca empire exploded into chaos. The next in line, actually was not Atahualpa either. Huascar was next line, and had a far better claim for the throne. While Atahualpa, who unlike his brother was not pure royal blood and was illegitimate had a weak claim. Nevertheless, they both tried to seize the throne, sparking the ember that would  later burst into raging flames, engulfing the Inca empire.

They were both unaware, or took no interest in the Spanish, or their diseases. The civil war was declared when Atahualpa sent a false envoy of soldiered, who had secret orders to capture his brother. Outraged, Huascar organized an army to attack Atahualpa. Atahualpa proved to be a most successful tactician, defeating his brother in every confrontation. With 40,000 men, Huascar was captured and Atahualpa was crowned king.

Atahualpa was known to be a brutal King, he even fashioned a goblet for drinking out of an enemy general's skull. After defeating his brother, he executed him by drowning.

This was the Inca civil war, and probably the most major cause of Pizarro's success besides for small pox. The Spanish took advantage of these conditions, and ultimately were able to gain control over South America. The Inca civil War relates to our unit on the Age of Exploration, with the unintentional help from disease and the Civil War, the Spanish brought down the famed Inca empire for good.



Bibliography-
"Inca Civil War": Article of Civil War on Inca Empire Wikipedia
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_Civil_War

"The Conquest of the Incas" PBS
         http://www.pbs.org/conquistadors/pizarro/pizarro_c00.html

Pictography-
"Francisco Pizarro" Portrait PBS
         http://www.pbs.org/conquistadors/pizarro/pizarro_c00.html

"Atahualpa" Portrait Wikipedia
         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_Civil_War

"Huascar" Portrait. Wikipedia
         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_Civil_War