Final answer:
The decline of the Inca Empire was due to the spread of diseases like smallpox, internal conflict from a civil war for succession, and the Spanish conquest led by Francisco Pizarro, which included Atahualpa's capture and execution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Decline of the Inca Empire
The decline of the Inca Empire can be attributed to several key events. Initially, a devastating blow came from the disease brought by Europeans, specifically smallpox, which led to the death of the Inca Emperor Wayna Qhapaq in 1528. The empire was further weakened as the emperor's death precipitated a civil war for succession between his sons. The power vacuum and internal strife provided an opportune moment for the Spanish conquest led by Francisco Pizarro, who, exploiting the chaos, managed to defeat the Inca forces with a considerably smaller military contingent.
Upon Pizarro's arrival in 1532, he found new Inca subjects eager to ally with him against the weakened empire. The decisive point came when Pizarro took Atahualpa, an Inca leader, hostage and executed him in 1533 despite a hefty ransom. This not only demoralized the Inca but also stripped them of a central authority figure. Moreover, the Spanish imposed their rule on the conquered territories, including the founding of Lima by Pizarro, which symbolized the new colonial order and the final collapse of the once-mighty Inca Empire.
Subsequently, even though the Inca, under Manco Inca, attempted to resist Spanish rule in 1536 by laying siege to Cuzco, they were ultimately unsuccessful. The Spanish retained control, utilizing superior weaponry and tactics, and divided the empire to govern it more effectively. Pizarro's victory in Peru paved the way for further exploitation of the resources and cultural assimilation, profoundly transforming the region.