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The Incas

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

Andes MountainsTerrace Farming

CuzcoAchievements of the Incas

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The Incasdeveloped

a vastcivilization

in theAndes

Mountains.

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The Incas

• The Incas developed a civilization in a valley of the Andes Mountains around 1100 A.D.

• The Incas built their capital, Cuzco, high in the Andes Mountains

• At its height, the empire stretched 2,500 miles.

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The Incas built terraces to farm onthe mountains.

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Terrace Farming

• Because they lived in the mountains, the Incas engaged in terrace farming.

• The Incas built wide step-like terraces.

• At its height, more than 12 million people lived in the Incan empire.

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The Incasbuilt

manyroads

to connect

theirvast

empire.

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Roads

• To connect their vast empire, the Incas built many roads.

• One Inca road was 2,500 miles long.

• The Incas also built rope bridges to connect their empire.

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The Incas were adept builders.

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Buildings

• The Incas built beautiful cities.

• The Incas cut stone blocks so that they fit tightly together without anything holding them together.

• Machu Picchu, a fortress city of the Incas, still stands.

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The Incaswere skilled

builders. Incaroads

stand eventoday.

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Welfare

• While all land belonged to the Incan emperor, he let other people farm the land and pay taxes to him.

• The government also took care of the sick, the elderly, and the orphan.

• The government provided for the less fortunate members of society.

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The Incaswerevery

advanced.

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Achievements• The Incas invented the crowbar.

• The Incas developed the quipu, a knotted rope for communication.

• The Incas built buildings without mortar.

• The Incas provided for all members of the empire.

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The Incaswere

conqueredby Francisco

Pizarroin the

1530s.

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Questions for Reflection:

• Where did the Incas build a vast empire?• How did the Incas feed a vast population

on the mountains?• List three achievements of the Incas.• What did the Incas create to increase

communication within the empire?• What did the Incas do that surprises

people even today?