Final answer:
The fall of the Inca Empire was primarily due to diseases introduced by Europeans, a civil war for succession, and the military and strategic prowess of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors Contributing to the Fall of the Inca Empire
The Inca Empire's collapse in the early 16th century was due to a combination of factors. The first significant blow came in the form of diseases such as smallpox brought by Europeans. These diseases decimated the Inca population, including their Emperor Wayna Qhapaq in 1528, leading to severe political and social instability.
Moreover, the empire was embroiled in a civil war for succession, which weakened it further.
Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro capitalized on this disarray. With a small but technologically superior army, he gained support from discontent Inca subjects and managed to defeat Inca armies through a series of military maneuvers. The capture and execution of the Inca leader also played a crucial role in the empire's downfall. Ultimately, the Spanish imposed their control, extracting the empire's riches and constructing their own system on the ruins of the Inca civilization. The Inca Empire officially collapsed after the last stronghold in Vilcabamba fell to the Spanish.
The Inca roads and cities, significant achievements of their great civilization, were overtaken by the Spanish, further eroding the empire's administrative and economic infrastructure, contributing to its collapse.