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Why did the Inca Empire collapse despite its advanced infrastructure?

Anaya Langsbury

Hey there amigos! So, you want to know why the Inca Empire crumbled despite having a kickass infrastructure? Well, let me tell you, it's a heck of a story.

Firstly, let's talk about the Inca empire's infrastructure. These folks were seriously advanced for their time. Not only did they have impressive road systems, incredible agricultural techniques and efficient irrigation, they also had an incredibly advanced network of communication. No carrier pigeons or smoke signals for these guys, oh no! They had an intricate system of knotted strings called quipus, which they used to record information such as taxes, population numbers and inventory. Seriously, talk about being ahead of your time!

However, even with all their mighty infrastructure, the Inca empire eventually crumbled. So, what led to its demise? Well, for starters, the arrival of the Europeans. Yes, those guys who sailed the seven seas wearing puffy shirts and pointy hats - you know the ones I'm talking about. When the Europeans arrived on the scene, they brought with them deadly diseases like Smallpox and Measles. Unfortunately, the Inca people had no immunity to these diseases and they spread like wildfire, killing thousands of people. It was a catastrophic time for the Inca Empire.

Furthermore, the Europeans weren't content with just killing the Inca people with disease. Nope, they also had a hankering for gold and silver. The Inca Empire was rich in these resources, so it's no surprise that they became targets for the greedy Europeans. The Spaniards arrived in 1532 and were led by Francisco Pizarro. They executed the ruler, Atahualpa, and looted the famous Inca gold. This was a major blow for the Inca Empire as it destabilized their political and social structures.

Finally, let's not forget about the Inca people themselves. While they were incredibly advanced, they were also subject to internal turmoil, just like any society. The Inca Empire was ruled by a king, who was considered a divine figure. When the king died, his successor would be chosen from his sons. However, this was not always a smooth process and would sometimes lead to internal fighting for the throne. This was the case with the Inca Civil War, which lasted from 1526 to 1532.

So, there you have it folks. The Inca Empire was a mighty civilization with impressive infrastructure, but it ultimately crumbled due to a combination of factors. Just remember, even the most advanced and prosperous societies are not invincible!

Thanks for tuning in, amigos!