End of the Inca Empire

Francisco Pizarro had heard of a land of gold.1n1531,with permission from the Spanish king , he set sail with less than 200 men to conquer an Empire ot six million people.He had picked up tips from the conquest of the of the Aztec Empire.He now learned about the Inca civil war and realized that this was the best time to strike.

Some Spanish offcials met Inca Atahualpa outside Cajamarca.He agreed to meet Pizaro in the town.The Spanish quickly entered the deserted town and took up their positions.When the Inca approached ,Pizarro invited him to dinner.To everyone's amazement the Inca accepted saying that those with him would be unarmed. When he arrived a priest tried to convert him to Christianity.This was signal for the attack. Within 30 minutes up to 3000 Incas had been killed. An Empire was gone forever.

Events Leading to the Downfall of the Inca Empire

• The collapse of the Inca empire began with the civil war between the true Inca Huascar and the usurping Atahuallpa, his half brother.

• Pizarro marched inland with only 200 men to meet the Incas at Cajamarca. The Natives were awestruck by the bearded Spaniards and their horses.

• When Atahualipa refused to recognize the Christian faith, the Spaniards captured him and massacred 2000 of his men in a surprise attack.

• The Spaniards took all of the gold from the Incas.

• Atahualipa had secretly ordered a death for Huascar so he could take over his share of the land.

• Without a leader the Incas had no choice but to go to the Spanish. Soon they had settled in the land and introduced cattle and horses.

External links: Here are two sites with more information on the history and the conquest of the Incas. They are: An Overview of the First Eight Inca Rulers and Tupac Amaru : The Last fighting Inca (which tells the story of the legendary Inca who revolted and was murdered).