Final answer:
The Incan Civil War refers to the internal conflict that followed the death of Emperor Wayna Qhapaq, which, alongside the introduction of European diseases, significantly weakened the empire. The Spanish, led by Francisco Pizarro, exploited these vulnerabilities, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Incan Empire and Spanish conquest of the region by 1581.
Step-by-step explanation:
Describe the Incan Civil War
The Incan Civil War was a contentious power struggle that erupted after the death of Emperor Wayna Qhapaq in 1528, exacerbated by the arrival of European diseases. It was during this time of vulnerability that the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro arrived. By 1532, the Spanish, leveraging the internal conflict and allying with dissatisfied Incan factions, managed to enter and eventually dominate the once-mighty Incan Empire.
Earlier, the Incas had developed a potent military system, with well-equipped warriors, and a vast network of roads allowing for rapid and strategic troop movements to quell rebellions or face enemies.
However, the civil war significantly weakened the empire's unity and defenses, leading to an easier conquest by Pizarro's smaller army. The civil war and the subsequent Spanish intervention ended with the fall of the Incan Empire and the establishment of Spanish colonial rule. This conquest was neither easy nor swift; the harsh Andean terrain and strong Incan resistance posed significant challenges. It took the Spanish nearly 50 years until 1581 to fully secure control over the vast Incan territories.