Pizzaro Conquers the Incas

The Inca were the largest civilization in the Americas. They had large cities and were organized as an Empire. Their land was also rich in gold and silver. The Incas

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish Conquistadors who had been on Balboa's expedition when it found the Pacific. Pizarro heard rumors that there was a wealthy empire in South America. Pizarro convinced the Spanish government to sponsor expeditions to explore the western coast of the South America. He made a number of expeditions to find the empire. Finally, in 1526, he came across an Incan trading ship full of silver and gold. He captured the ship and trained some of its crew to be his interpreters. Pizzaro Bio

In 1531, Pizzaro led a small group of 180 Spanish soldiers down the Pacific coast, to the coastal city of Cajamarco. There, he learned that the Incan ruler Atahalupa was vulnerable, after fighting a civil war. He headed to his summer home. When Atahalupa refused to submit to Pizarro, he seized him. The Incas offered an incredible ransom of gold and silver, if they would free their leader. Pizzaro agreed. The Incas filled a room with gold. Despite his promise to let Atahalupa go free, once he had received the ransom, Pizarro executed Athalupa. Pizarro went on to capture the Inca capital and end the Incan Empire

n 1531, Pizzaro led a small group of 180 Spanish soldiers down the Pacific coast, to the coastal city of Cajamarco. There, he learned that the Incan ruler Atahalupa was vulnerable, after fighting a civil war. He headed to his summer home. When Atahalupa refused to submit to Pizarro, he seized him. The Incas offered an incredible ransom of gold and silver, if they would free their leader. Pizzaro agreed. The Incas filled a room with gold. Despite his promise to let Atahalupa go free, once he had received the ransom, Pizarro executed Athalupa. Pizarro went on to capture the Inca capital and end the Incan Empire

Account of the Capture

Map of the Conquest