Aim Describe Incan Government and Religion Inca Build

Aim: Describe Incan Government and Religion

Inca Build an Empire Inca originally lived in a high plateau of the Andres n Inca settled in fertile lands in Valley of Cuzco n 1200’s: they established their own small kingdom n 1500: Inca ruled an empire that stretched 2, 500 miles along the western coast of South America n Inca called it “Land of Four Quarters” n n Had a powerful military Used force only when necessary n Were considered cleaver diplomats n Before attacking, they offered enemy n

Incan Government Creates Unity To control the huge empire, the rulers divided their territory and its people into manageable units n Inca built many cities in conquered areas n All roads led to the capital Cuzco n Main demand Incan state placed was tribute in the form of labor (Mita) n Required citizens to work certain number of days for state n Inca had ambitious public works program n Built road system that 14, 000 mile trade network n Created accounting device for math (Quipu) n

Religion Supports the State n Religion was important to Inca Worshipped fewer gods than Aztecs n Focused on nature spirits (Moon, Stars, Thunder) n Primary Inca god was a creator god called Viracocha n Temple of the Sun in Cuzco was most sacred of all Incan Shrines n n Decorated heavily in gold Other Incan cities had served a ceremonial purpose n n Ex: Machu Picchu