World History 4:2 Activity and Review

What three factors united the great Inca empire?

one religion, one language, and one major highway system

The geography of the Andes ranges from dense tropical forests to barren deserts, high mountains to valleys and plateaus. Where were most of the civilizations located?

the Pacific Coast

How was their religion similar to many other cultures?

the worship of many gods

What contributions did the Chavín, Moche, and Nazca peoples make to the rise of Andean civilizations 2,000 years ago? List one entry for each culture.

Chavín - temple complex or uniting peoples of northern and central Peru; Moche - adobe structures, roads, irrigation canals, or ceramics, textiles and gold work; Nazca - animal geoglyphs in the desert

How did geographical features affect the Incas?

Due to extreme elevations, a series of steps and trellises was needed to allow building and transportation. A system of roads was created to unite the Incan empire.

What benefit did the conquest of neighboring lands most likely offer the Inca?

Expanding the empire through conquest most likely enabled the Inca empire to control more land and resources. It also provided a larger population that the Inca could tax in labor to produce food and goods.

How did the Inca use and improve upon skills they learned from earlier peoples?

Inca farmers expanded step terraces built by earlier Andean peoples. They carved out flat strips of land on steep hillsides and built stone walls to hold the land in place. The Inca also mastered the art of weaving, a practice passed down to them from earlier Andean peoples. They raised cotton and sheared the wool from llamas and alpacas to create colorful textiles to be worn as clothing or as adornments, such as belts and bags.

What features and policies of the Inca government helped the emperor control his empire?

Inca rulers ran an efficient government. Nobles ruled the provinces along with local chieftains whom the Inca armies had conquered. Below them, officials carried out the day-to-day business of enforcing laws and organizing labor. Specially trained officials kept records on a quipu, a collection of colored strings that were knotted in different ways to represent various numbers. In addition, the Sapa Inca imposed the Inca language and religion throughout the empire. He owned all land, herds, mines, and people, making rival challenges difficult. The road system helped link the empire, so news of revolts came quickly, and armies could travel swiftly to put down any uprisings.

What were the major medical advances developed by the Inca?

The Inca developed important medical practices, including surgery on the human skull. In such operations, they cleaned the area to be operated on and then gave the patient a drug to make him or her unconscious—procedures similar to the modern use of antiseptics and anesthesia.

How did the Inca empire ensure everyone had enough food to eat and had roads to travel?

The Inca empire developed a highly organized government, which collected a labor tax to feed the population and to maintain public works.

List one way each of the three civilizations—the Inca, Maya, and Aztec—still have a presence in modern society.

The Inca of Peru continue to speak in the ancient language of Quechua. The Maya, who live in much the same region as their ancestors, have continued with old traditions and still speak the Q'eqchi' language. Since Mexico City is built on top of Tenochititlán, it can be considered one of the oldest cities in the Americas. Nahuati, the language of the Aztecs, is still spoken by Mexican Indians.

How did the development of language and roads help unite the Inca empire? Cite evidence to support your answer.

The Inca used language as a path to help them integrate people they conquered. By imposing their language on outsiders, the Inca were able to more effectively bring those people into their cultural practices. Further, the Inca created an extensive road network stretching 14,000 miles. The roads allowed armies and news to move quickly, helping unite the empire further.

In what crafts and technical achievements did the Inca excel?

The Inca were some of the most skilled metalworkers in the Americas. They learned to work and alloy, or blend, copper, tin, bronze, silver, and gold. The Inca also mastered the art of weaving, a practice passed down to them from earlier Andean peoples. Their engineers were so skilled at fitting stone blocks together that Inca structures have survived severe earthquakes.

What authority did the Sapa Inca claim to rule the Inca?

The Sapa Inca claimed to be a descendant of the sun god.

How did the Sapa Inca consolidate his power and keep control of his large empire?

The Sapa Inca held absolute power. He imposed the language and religion of the Inca on all parts of the empire. He owned all land, herds, mines, and people, so it would have been nearly impossible for any rivals to acquire the means to challenge him. The road system helped link the empire. Messengers quickly carried news of revolts, and armies could travel swiftly to put down any uprisings. Inca society was sophisticated, and much of daily life was structured and strictly regulated by government officials.