Francisco Pizarro, along with his brothers, led an expedition to conquer the Inca Empire in the 16th century. Here's a simplified account of how Pizarro and his men managed to defeat the mighty Inca Empire:
1. Arrival and Initial Exploration:
- Pizarro and his conquistadors first arrived in Peru in 1532. They made alliances with some local tribes who were disgruntled with the Inca rule.
2. Capture of Atahualpa:
- In 1532, Pizarro and his men captured the Inca emperor, Atahualpa, in the Battle of Cajamarca. They used a combination of surprise, deception, and superior weaponry to overwhelm the Inca army.
3. Ransom and Trickery:
- Atahualpa offered to fill a room with gold and silver as ransom for his release. Despite receiving the ransom, Pizarro held Atahualpa captive and eventually executed him in 1533. This act of betrayal deeply demoralized the Inca forces.
4. Civil War:
- Pizarro took advantage of the power vacuum created by Atahualpa's death. He supported a rival Inca noble, Manco Inca, to become the puppet ruler of the empire. This sparked a civil war among the Incas.
5. Alliance with Native Tribes:
- Pizarro forged alliances with various native tribes, including the Cañaris and the Huancas, who were eager to throw off Inca rule.
6. Siege of Cusco:
- In 1533, Pizarro and his forces marched towards Cusco, the Inca capital. After a months-long siege, the conquistadors finally captured the city in 1534, marking the collapse of the Inca Empire.
7. Consolidation and Expansion:
- After conquering Cusco, Pizarro established Spanish rule over Peru and continued expanding the Spanish territories in South America.
8. Resistance and Guerrilla Warfare:
- The Incas did not give up easily. Manco Inca led a rebellion and waged a long-term guerrilla war against the Spanish for several years.
9. Lasting Colonial Rule:
- Despite various Inca rebellions, the Spanish managed to maintain control over the region for centuries, leading to the establishment of a colonial regime that lasted for over 300 years.
It's important to note that the conquest of the Inca Empire was a complex process involving numerous factors, including political divisions within the Inca Empire, technological advantages, diseases brought by the Europeans, and the determination and leadership of Pizarro and his conquistadors.