What were reasons that the Inca Empire failed?
1. Internal strife and civil war: After the death of the Inca Emperor Huayna Capac in 1525, a dispute over succession led to a civil war between his sons Huáscar and Atahualpa. This weakened the empire and made it easier for the Spanish conquistadors to conquer it.
2. The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors: Francisco Pizarro and his troops arrived in the Inca Empire in 1532, taking advantage of the internal divisions and the superior military technology of the Spanish to conquer the Incas.
3. Weak leadership: The Inca Empire was weakened by the lack of strong leadership after the death of Huayna Capac, as his sons fought for control of the empire.
4. Disease: The introduction of European diseases, such as smallpox, to which the Inca population had no immunity, caused devastating epidemics that decimated the population of the empire.
5. Disruption of trade and economy: The Spanish conquest disrupted the Inca economy and trade networks, leading to economic instability and weakening the empire's ability to resist the Spanish invasion.
6. Loss of key allies: The Inca Empire had lost key allies, such as the Chimu and the Aymara, due to previous conflicts and conquests, leaving the empire more vulnerable to Spanish conquest.
7. Cultural differences: The Inca Empire and the Spanish conquistadors had different cultural beliefs and practices, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts that further weakened the Inca Empire.