Politics

Inca politics were very advanced for their time. They were known for their strict rules and tight government. This helped keep their citizens in line. It was the main reason why their civilization thrived and hid from the Spanish for many years without fights. The Inca Civilization flourished in Peru from 1400 to 1534. The Inca empire was the largest empire seen in the Americas at the time and it expanded across South America from Quito to San Hago. The Inca empire had a variety of different languages, including more than 30 spoken languages. The Sapa Inca, or Emperor, was at the top of the social structure, but he did not have absolute power. Believe it or not, the queens also had power in Inca society. The queen had the power to choose which one of her sons would be the next ruler of their empire. The queen also had a significant amount of wealth to dispose of. (She did not have to share her wrath with her husband If she didn’t want to). Inca had a vast network of administrators whom each governed over a patch of the empire. The Inca relied heavily on relation, state largesse, strict law enforcement, and ritual exchange. “Sapa Inca” means unique Inca. In very early times, 2 Sapa Incas ruled the land. The Sapa Inca was pampered even afterlife. They even ate from golden cups and plates and wore silver and gold shoes. Kings had to be friends with their governors or else they would kill them and come to power. The Inca king also had to support his subjects, even the poor, because they were known for having the title Huacaacha Khayaq or, ‘lover and benefactor of the poor’ Nobles helped influence the decision of who the next ruler should be. In a traditional monarchy, the firstborn usually became the next ruler but in Inca rule, the next ruler was chosen based on their military service, how they helped, and what they did for the public. The nobles helped oversee the rulers’ sons help determine the next ruler. Dispute over who became the next ruler of the Incas would help lead the empire to its downfall.