Why was the mita system important to the Incan empire?
(1 point)
Responses
It helped Incan astronomers calculate the movements of the stars.
It helped Incan astronomers calculate the movements of the stars.
It allowed the government to collect taxes in the form of physical labor.
It allowed the government to collect taxes in the form of physical labor.
It helped the emperor keep strict control over faraway lands.
It helped the emperor keep strict control over faraway lands.
It kept order by forming a strict social hierarchy.
All of the responses are incorrect. The correct answer is:
- It allowed the government to collect taxes in the form of physical labor.
The mita system in the Incan Empire was a form of mandatory public service where individuals were required to contribute a certain amount of labor each year to the government. This labor was used for various projects such as agriculture, construction, and mining. It served as a method of tax collection and also helped the government meet the needs of the empire.
The correct answer is: It allowed the government to collect taxes in the form of physical labor.
The mita system was an essential aspect of the Incan empire's administration and economy. To understand why it was important, let's break down the question:
The mita system refers to a labor tax system implemented by the Incas. It required every able-bodied Inca citizen to contribute a certain amount of physical labor to the government. This labor was typically used for public projects like building roads, bridges, terraces, and maintaining agricultural fields.
By imposing the mita system, the government was able to collect taxes in the form of physical labor. Rather than paying with money, people paid their taxes through their work. This allowed the government to acquire the manpower needed for various projects, as well as ensure the provision of essential services to the people.
There were several benefits to the government's implementation of the mita system. First, it provided a steady and reliable workforce for public works projects. This helped in developing and maintaining infrastructure throughout the empire, such as the extensive road network known as the Inca road system.
Second, the mita system allowed the government to strengthen its control over the population. By requiring citizens to contribute their labor, it served as a form of social control and reinforced the hierarchical structure of Incan society. It simultaneously asserted the authority of the emperor and ensured obedience from the citizens.
Finally, the mita system served as a means of redistributing wealth within the empire. Labor was not only contributed by common citizens but also by nobles and officials. This helped in maintaining social harmony and reducing disparities between different social classes.
To summarize, the mita system was important to the Incan empire because it allowed the government to collect taxes in the form of physical labor. This provided a workforce for public projects, strengthened political control, and contributed to social and economic redistribution within the empire.