Inca Government

Q: What type of government did the Incas have?

The Inca government was like a monarchy with a centralised government directing thousands of officials across the empire. The government extracted taxes and tributes from the people.

Q: What did the Inca government control?

The Inca government controlled everything. The king or Sapa Inca was an absolute ruler whose word was law. He controlled politics, society, the empire's food stores, and he was commander-in-chief of the army.

Q: What features helped the Inca government control their empire?

The Inca government, dominated by the king or Sapa Inca, used military force to control their empire and they spread their religion, art and architecture to try and create a cultural unity.

Q: How did the Inca government contribute to the collapse of the Inca empire?

The Inca government relied on military force and imposed their religion and culture on their subjects. This meant the Incas were not popular rulers and there were many rebellions across the empire. When the European Conquistadors arrived they exploited these divisions in the empire.

Mark Cartwright

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Definition

The centre of Inca power was the capital Cuzco, considered the navel of the world. 40,000 Incas governed an empire of over 10 million subjects who spoke over 30 different languages. Consequently, the centralised government employed a vast network of local administrators who relied heavily on a combination of personal relations, state largesse, ritual exchange, law enforcement and military might.

More about: Inca Government

Timeline

c. 1425 - 1532
The Inca Empire flourishes in South America.
1438 - 1471
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui reigns as the leader of the Inca Empire.
1471 - 1493
Reign of Inca Tupac Yupanqui who doubles the size of the Inca Empire.
1493 - 1526
Huayna Capac reigns as Inca leader and constructs fortresses, religious temples and roads throughout the empire.
1526 - 1532
Civil war between the Inca leaders Waskar and Atahualpa. Atahualpa wins.
1530
The Inca empire reaches its greatest extent.
1532 - 1533
Reign of Inca ruler Atahualpa.
15 Nov 1533
Francisco Pizarro takes the Inca capital of Cuzco.