This paper examines Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Inca Empire in the early 16th century. It traces Pizarro's rise from explorer to conquistador, detailing how he exploited the Inca civil war between rival brothers, allied with discontented native populations, and used superior Spanish military tactics to capture the capital of Cuzco. The paper also explores the aftermath of conquest, including the rivalry between Pizarro and fellow conquistador Diego de Almagro that led to internal conflict among the Spanish forces. By examining the key figures, obstacles, and strategies involved, the paper demonstrates how a small Spanish force was able to overcome a vast empire through a combination of military skill, political maneuvering, and exploitation of existing divisions.
Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire in South America. The Inca Empire was an amalgamation of territories along the western seaboard of South America from what is modern-day Colombia to the bottom of modern-day Chile. The Incan Empire consisted of several cultures with several different languages and was similar in its expansion to what the Roman Empire had been like in its glory days. However, with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, led by Pizarro, many natives were willing to cooperate with the Spaniards in the overthrow of Incan rule. This paper will describe the conquest, its process, difficulties, and the persons involved and what happened to them.
When Pizarro arrived in Peru, the Incan Empire was undergoing a transformation. The royal family was fighting amongst itself and the Empire was in a civil war. Many natives were fighting and there was not great unity. Pizarro had gone exploring down to Panama, but when he received permission to conquer the Inca, he set about doing this by returning to Peru where the capital of the Empire lay.
The Spanish had developed good military tactics from their battles with Muslim warriors in the mountains of Spain, so they were at home in the mountains of western South America. While the Spaniards were few in number, their military logistics and their new native allies allowed them a superior edge over the Inca. After taking hold in Ecuador at the Battle of Puna, Pizarro sent Hernando de Soto into the interior. De Soto was invited along with the other Spaniards to meet Atahualpa. Atahualpa was one of the rulers of the Empire, which had descended into civil war among the sons of Huayna Capac and new lands that the Incans had recently conquered themselves. Atahualpa was one of the sons involved in the war.
The Spaniards met peacefully with Atahualpa, but the two sides failed to understand one another and Atahualpa was imprisoned along with his general Chalcuchimac. Chalcuchimac had been important to Atahualpa as a good leader against the enemies of Atahualpa and had actually helped defeat parts of the Incan army that otherwise might have been problematic for the Spaniards. In one sense, Chalcuchimac was unwittingly advancing the aims of the conquistadors by fighting in the Incan civil war against parts of the native population. After the Spaniards executed Atahualpa, Chalcuchimac remained in the company of the Spaniards as they moved to take Cuzco. The Spaniards suspected that Chalcuchimac was secretly coordinating with the native attackers in these parts in order to halt the progress of the conquistadors. Pizarro ordered Chalcuchimac to be burned to death, though a less gruesome death would be offered him if he would convert to Christianity. Chalcuchimac refused to convert (Quintana 223).
The main road that united the Incan territories was known as the Qhapaq Nan, which ran north-south over 3,500 miles through the Andes Mountains. It was this road that made it possible for the Inca to move soldiers from location to location and maintain control over the diverse peoples of the Empire. The Camino Real was also important to Pizarro as it was another road which, like the Qhapaq Nan, led men over the tall mountains of western South America. Pizarro used these roads to navigate to important cities in the different regions and establish strongholds there. The Qhapaq Nan was the main road out of the capital of the Empire, Cuzco. It was this road that enabled Pizarro and his forces to move to the capital with little impediment.
Diego de Almagro was another conquistador like Pizarro. The two men were actually friends and worked together in conquering the different territories. After Pizarro defeated Atahualpa and gained Cuzco, he dispatched his friend Almagro to the interior to establish new positions. Almagro established Trujillo, which was Pizarro's place of birth in Spain. This was an act of friendship on Almagro's part, honoring his friend in the naming of the new city.
But their friendship was not to last as they became rivals of one another. The origins of this rivalry were found in the divvying up of the spoils of war. Pizarro kept a greater portion for himself than was given to the other conquistadors (Leon 201). Almagro left Cuzco and set out to settle new territories. The going was tough, however, as the trails like the Inca trail were very difficult to navigate and the Andes Mountains proved difficult to climb in these parts. The climate was very cold and many explorers froze to death.
Finally Almagro reached Chile and established himself there. Many of the natives were friendly to Almagro in these parts; however, the Mapuche were not and a battle took place at Reinohuelen. Almagro was disappointed by the climate, the lack of treasure found, and the Mapuches, and he decided to leave and go back to Peru to attempt to gain command of Cuzco.
While Pizarro's men were pursuing Manco Inca, Almagro's men laid siege to Cuzco and captured Francisco's brothers Hernando and Gonzalo. Almagro's rule did not last long, however—he soon became sick, and during his sickness Pizarro defeated Almagro's men. Almagro ran from the city but was caught. He was executed by Pizarro after begging for his life, which Pizarro thought did not befit a gentleman (Prescott 336).
"Resolution of Almagro rivalry and factors enabling Spanish success"
The entire process of the conquest took place in this fashion: Pizarro and Balboa explored the Pacific coast; Pizarro then arrested Balboa, who was executed (Hemming 23). Pizarro was made mayor of Panama City. From this position he made friends with Hernando de Luque and Diego de Almagro, whom Pizarro would also later execute. They went south to explore and find riches. The queen of Spain gave permission to the conquistadors to go and conquer the foreign lands in the name of Spain (Somervill 52). Previous to this the conquistadors had done some exploring along the western range of South America. Now they returned to Peru. They were to spread the Christian faith and amass fortunes for the crown as well as for themselves.
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