The Incan government treated those they conquered with a mixture of coercion and cooperation. They offered conquered societies the opportunity to join the Incan Empire peacefully, as long as they acknowledged Inca authority and paid tribute in the form of labor, goods, or soldiers. Those who resisted were typically met with violence and forced assimilation into Incan society. The Incas also employed a system of hostages, where they would take the sons of the conquered elites to be educated in Inca culture and serve as a guarantee of their loyalty. Overall, the Incan government used a combination of force and cultural integration to maintain control over their conquered territories.
