•Now here is a brief article dealing specifically with Inca Warfare and the Inca Military. Read the article carefully.
Inca Warfare:
The Incas acquired their vast empire through an extraordinary series of military successes. Some experts believe that the Incas began their empire-building era right after they conquered the Chancas, who attacked them in 1438. Upon defeating their enemy, the Incas immediately demanded that the Chanca soldiers join their forces. With this powerful new army, they were able to defeat neighboring states, each time building a greater force of soldiers from the armies of the conquered territories. But there were several obvious problems with this system: How could the Inca government create a loyal force out of enemy soldiers? How could it feed such a huge army? With such a vast expanse of territory, how could the central government keep track of its forces?
The Incas sought the loyalty of defeated soldiers through persuasion. After battles, the Incas usually killed only the leaders of a defeated army, returning other prisoners of war to their homes. The defeated soldiers were asked to serve in the Inca military and were promised land, goods, and special privileges in return. In addition, knowing that deep-seated hostilities often existed between neighboring tribes, the Incas would try to pit newly recruited forces against a nearby enemy tribe whenever possible.
There were few trained soldiers in the Inca army. The Incas relied on their great numbers rather than military skills. The soldiers fought in hand-to-hand combat with clubs, swords, and spear-throwers, most made of either copper or stone. It was not expensive to maintain such a large army. The soldiers were, for the most part, peasants who only served for a short time under the mit'a system and then returned home to work their crops. The ayllus back home took care of the soldiers' work while they were gone. To feed its troops, the Inca government developed huge stores of food from their share of the crops grown in newly conquered lands. In order to get the food to the soldiers, the Incas improved their already extensive road system, which also served to facilitate communications between the capital city and remote areas of warfare.
•Once you feel comfortable with that
information, write a brief description of Warfare in
Inca Civilization. Be thoughtful and use your own
words. The idea here is to use the information from
the above section to present a concise and accurate
portrayl of Inca Warfare. This section of your
encyclopedia entry should be 2 or 3 sentences.*
* Remember you can always write more if you want, that’s just a recommended minimum.
Opposing armies during the Inca conquests in South America.