Fall

The Inca Empire fell quickly, even though it was very large and powerful. Before the Spanish even arrived, deadly diseases from Europe spread through the empire. These included smallpox, measles, and influenza. The Inca had never seen these illnesses before and had no immunity to them. Millions of people died, and in some areas more than half of the population was lost. This greatly weakened the empire.

When the Spanish Empire arrived, they used trickery to defeat the Inca. They invited the Inca ruler to a meeting and pretended to be peaceful. When he arrived without weapons, the Spanish captured him. Because the Inca believed their ruler was sacred and chosen by the gods, many people felt confused and afraid.

The Spanish also had horses, steel swords, armor, and guns, which the Inca had never seen before. These weapons caused fear and made it hard for the Inca to fight back.

After the Spanish defeated the Inca rulers, life became very hard for the Inca people. The Spanish took control of the land and enslaved millions of Incas, forcing them to work in dangerous conditions. Many were sent to mine silver for the Spanish Empire.

One of the most famous mining places was Potosí, often called the “Silver Mountain.” It was one of the largest silver mines in the world. Inca workers were forced deep underground with little air, poor food, and no safety. Many miners worked until they became sick or collapsed.

Historians believe that millions of Indigenous people died from overwork, disease, and harsh treatment in the mines. Some estimates say that up to 8 million people may have died over many years at Potosí alone. The silver taken from these mines made Spain extremely rich and helped it become a powerful empire in Europe.

Even though the Spanish grew wealthy, the Inca people suffered greatly. Their empire fell, but their culture, language, and traditions survived, and their story is still remembered today.

Even after the capital fell, the Inca did not give up right away. Some Inca leaders escaped to hidden strongholds deep in the jungle, near the edge of the Amazon rainforest. From these places, the Inca resisted for many years. The last Inca stronghold was finally defeated decades later, ending Inca rule.

Although the empire fell, Inca people, language, and traditions still survive today, showing the strength of their culture.