The Spanish Conquest of the Incas

The Spanish conquest of the Incas came about during the period of discovery and exploration by the European. There may aim to conquer and colonize Peru in an attempt to acquire raw materials and precious metals like gold and silver that existed in Peru and entire South America. The impacts of the war brought about devastating effects on the people including famine, diseases, and deaths. The essay summarizes the documentary on the Spanish conquest of the Incas, the opportunity enjoyed and not enjoyed the bonus opportunity and the questions that still linger after the bonus opportunity. Hence, the Spanish conquest destroyed the lives and culture of the people.

The Spanish troops invaded the Incas Empire to colonize the people of Peru and impose their culture and language. The man in charge of the Incas was Huayna Capac who was considered a fair leader but his death sparked a fierce succession battle between his two sons. His legitimate prince was considered heir apparent while his illegitimate son Atahualpa Huascar was charismatic and favorite to many in taking over the throne. As a result, the conflict brought civil war after the death of his father. Atahualpa successful took over, but it was during this period that the Spanish had planned the conquest of Peru ostensibly in such of gold and silver ( source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Sp7oavH74&t=170s).

The governor general for Spanish conquest was Francisco Pizarro and his intentions to acquire gold and suppress the people in Peru. Therefore, he brought a disease that would wipe out the population. Francisco tricked Atahualpa for a truce in Cajamarca, but it turned into a massacre because Atahualpa was forced to convert to Catholicism. Consequently, Francisco killed at least 2000 men in addition to abducting Atahualpa whose evidence can be shown in the remains excavated by the archeologist. Atahualpa killing followed even after giving him the precious gold and silver. Also, they killed the entire population that did not die due to their introduced disease in the Inca Empire at the same time wiping out their cultures, destroying the native cities and building their own. Even though the Inca army was significant, they were killed in their numbers by the Spain armies who had superior weapons to be richer hence making Peru poor and desolate (source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Sp7oavH74&t=170s).

The most appreciated occasion in the bonus opportunity is the conversion of Atahualpa into Christianity and baptizing him as Francisco. Also, he was offered a bible which they claimed would answer all his questions. He had never read before hence he literary put the text to his ear to listen to it, but he did not hear anything. However, religion was used as an excuse by the Spaniards because Atahualpa was eventually garroted and killed. Also, the bonus opportunity is enjoyable when they used a truce to abduct to abduct, acquire gold and amass wealth (source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Sp7oavH74&t=170s).

The bonus opportunity that was not enjoyable at the moment is the introduction of a disease that could kill people besides literary murdering people, destroying their culture and bringing down buildings. Although the Spaniards army was small, they defeated Inca soldiers in reclaiming Lima. Equally, Francisco should have taken advantage of the civil war in Inca to divide and rule the people. However, his intentions were fulfilled because he was determined to acquire great riches of gold and silver (source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Sp7oavH74&t=170s).

The questions that still linger are about the lost facts on the chronicles and the ignoring of the Indian allies in the story. Moreover, the conflict confrontations between the Spaniards and the Inca were not recorded. Equally, the celebration of the military campaign and the end of the civil war and the conquest of the Spanish at the same time shows the vested interest of the Spaniards. Another question is on the siege of Lima and the role of Indians in the war. The concluding remarks are that the Spanish army was technologically more advanced than the Inca army and this made them win the war. Therefore, this was a perfect opportunity for the Spanish to gain more gold, and silver as their opponents wallow in poverty.  

Work Cited

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Sp7oavH74&t=170s