What methods did the Incas use to unify their large empire?
(4 points)
1. Road and communication systems: The Incas built an extensive network of roads and bridges known as the Inca road system. This allowed for efficient communication and transportation of goods and troops across the empire. It also facilitated the movement of important officials and messengers, helping to maintain imperial control.
2. Administrative and political organization: The Incas implemented a centralized government system, with a single ruler at the top and a hierarchical structure of regional and local administrators. They also established administrative centers called "tambo" and "mitmaqkuna" in different parts of the empire, which served as centers for governance, trade, and military control.
3. Quechua language and cultural assimilation: The Incas imposed the Quechua language as the lingua franca of the empire. They also promoted cultural assimilation by fostering the worship of their main deity Inti, the Sun God, and incorporating local deities into the Inca pantheon. This helped to foster a sense of unity and shared identity among the diverse ethnic groups within the empire.
4. Tribute system and redistributive economy: The Inca Empire had a centralized economy based on agriculture. They implemented a system of mandatory labor and tribute known as "mita," where subjects were required to provide labor or resources to the state. This allowed the Incas to redistribute goods and resources to different parts of the empire, ensuring a level of economic integration and stability.