18 PAGES INCA EMPIRE READING, QUESTIONS, MAP ACTIVITY AND ARTICLE WRITING ASSIGNMENT WITH TEACHER KEY AND RUBRIC www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/history-matters
Social Studies Name: Directions: Read the following text and complete the related activities. Francisco Pizarro and other Spanish conquistadors came upon the Inca Empire in 1532. At the time it was one of the largest empires in the world. The Inca civilization arose from the highlands of Peru sometime in the early 13th century. The empire included the territory between the Pacific coast and the Amazon River basin and stretched from Ecuador to northern Chile. In total, the Inca Empire included a diverse population with many different groups of people and contained a population in the millions. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was located in Cuzco in modern-day Peru. It was home to the ruler (Inca) and the ruling elite and was a city of great splendor. The first Incan emperor, named Pachacuti, grew Cuzco from a modest village into a sprawling city with many temples. He created the city into the shape of a puma. The official language of the empire was Quechua, although hundreds of local languages and dialects of language were spoken. The Inca referred to their empire as Tawantinsuyu which can be translated as The Land of the Four Quarters.
The origins of the Inca are unknown. Their history was recorded through oral tradition, stone, pottery, and gold and silver jewelry. They expanded their empire through a combination of alliances and intimidation as well as conquest. From 1438 to 1533, the Incas used these methods to gain control over a large portion of western South America. The empire was divided up into four suyu, which met at the capital, Cuzco. These suyu in turn were divided into provinces. By the time of the Spanish conquest, much of the Inca Empire was made up of numerous groups. This central location gave the Inca a number of advantages when they were able to expand, one of the most important being the availability of infrastructure. To support this empire, a system of roads stretched for more than 14,000 miles. This system of roads was used to move armies, keep control over their territory and distribute the wealth of the empire. The system of roads ranged from narrow paths to wide lanes. As well, rope suspension bridges crossed gorges and rivers. The territory that the Incas ruled over was made up of massively varied terrain, large areas of jungle, desert and rugged highlands. Their roads are in effect paths, kept clear in these difficult conditions. Official messengers or runners raced along these roadways covering approximately 150 miles a day. A message could be sent 1200 miles from Cuzco in under a week. In a system known as mita, local people worked for the state on a regular basis. They would be used to construct roads, bridges, temples and other infrastructure as needed. As well, men also served in the army. In return the people would receive gifts and the state would organize lavish rituals, feasts and entertainment. Everyone was expected to contribute to the empire. Land was divided in three sections. One third was worked for the emperor, one third was reserved for the gods, and one third the people kept for themselves. All were required to pay taxes as tribute.
Another aspect related to the Inca economy was the lack of a market system and physical money. Instead, each citizen of the empire was issued what they needed from the state storehouses, including food, tools, raw materials, and clothing. While the Inca did not develop what we would today consider a formal system of writing, they did use recording devices. For example, they developed the quipu which was a cord with strings suspended from it. Varying lengths, colors, knottypes, and positions, enabled them to store enormous quantities of information. The Inca worshipped a variety of gods that included the creator god Viracocha, sun god Inti, thunder god Illapa and earth-mother goddess Pachamama, among others. The Inca honored these gods in many ways, including prayers, fasting and animal sacrifice. However, similar to other civilizations in central and South America, the most powerful form was that of human sacrifice, typically those of children and teenagers. While objects made out of gold and silver survive from the Inca Empire, the most striking examples of Inca art were its textiles. Cloth and clothing were not only a source of wealth and prestige in Inca society, but they were also a means of communication. Complex patterns on cloth served as a way of showing social status and family background. Finally, the Inca are famous for their stone-working, especially in terms of how they used it to construct their cities and temples. Inca engineers built stone structures without using any mortar, such that an object as thin as a razor blade could not fit between the stones. The most famous enduring example of their ability to build stone structures is the mountain-top city of Machu Picchu. The complex of palaces and plazas, temples and homes may have been
built as a ceremonial site, a military stronghold, or a retreat for ruling elites. The ruins lie on a high ridge, surrounded on three sides by the Urubamba River which is approximately 2,000 feet below. In 1532, accompanied by his brothers, the Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro overthrew the Inca leader Atahualpa and conquered Peru, which ended the reign of the Inca Empire. Three years later, he founded the new capital city of Lima, which still exists today.
Social Studies Name: Directions: Complete the following questions based on the previous reading. 1. Who was the Spanish conquistador that encountered the Inca Empire in 1532? 2. Approximately, when AND where did the Inca Empire begin? 3. What was the capital city of the Inca Empire? 4. Who was the first emperor of the Inca Empire? 5. What was the official langue of the Inca Empire? 6. The Inca Empire contained hundreds of local languages and dialects. What does this show about the Inca Empire and the population of the empire? 7. Why do you suppose historians are unsure about the origin or rise to power of the Inca Empire?
8. Why was the location of Cuzco ideal for the leaders of the Inca Empire? 9. What is another word that could be used to explain the meaning of suyu? a. Section b. Wealth c. Power d. Army 10. The Inca Empire had a diverse system of roads that spanned across the territory of the empire. a. How was this system of roads used by the Incas? b. Why was the construction of this road system so impressive? 11. What is meant by mita? 12. Briefly explain how the Inca economy worked. 13. What is the significance of a quipu? 14. Why did the Incas carry out human sacrifice?
15. Briefly explain the significance of clothing (textiles) in Inca culture. 16. Below is a picture of Inca stonework. According to the reading, why was this stonework so impressive? 17. If possible, access Google Maps, and search for Machu Picchu. You will be able to look at the ruins at street level to get a close up view of the Inca city. Take the opportunity to look around the site and see the city from different points on the map. a. Why is the construction of Machu Picchu so impressive? b. Why would it make a great military stronghold or retreat for Inca elites? 18. Who was the last leader of the Inca Empire?
Social Studies Name: Directions: Using an atlas or Google Maps, complete the map activity below to show the current countries of the world in the former region of the Inca Empire. LABEL / COLOR Ecuador Peru Chile Bolivia Columbia Brazil Argentina Paraguay Venezuela City of Lima
Social Studies Name: In 1532, Francisco Pizarro and other Spanish conquistadors encountered the Inca Empire in South America. This event marked a significant meeting of two cultures and would be an important event in the history of the Age of Exploration. For this assignment, imagine that you are a Spanish writer and that you accompanied the Spanish conquistadors on their journey into Inca territory. You have returned back to Spain and have been asked by your local newspaper to complete an article detailing the Inca civilization that you encountered in the jungles of South America. The editor of the newspaper has asked you to create an article that details what you ve seen and learned about the Inca civilization, especially in regards to Inca: culture, achievements, economics and way of life. Your response MUST have the following elements: Headline (Catchy and Concise) Article (Explaining specific details about the Incas) Picture (Related to Topic) Caption for Picture (Concise and Informative) Your response MUST: Be detailed and specific Explain the ideas fully Use historically correct evidence and support
Social Studies Name: Mark: /10 Written Response Evaluation Excellent E Proficient Pf Satisfactory S Limited L Poor P Insufficient INS EXPLANATIONS AND SUPPORT (8 marks) 8 Explanations are deliberate and comprehensive, revealing a perceptive understanding. Support is specific and accurate, and errors, if present, do not detract from the response. A thorough understanding of the assigned task is demonstrated. 6.4 Explanations are appropriate and purposeful, revealing a clear understanding. Support is relevant and appropriate, but may contain some minor errors. A clear understanding of the assigned task is demonstrated. 4.8 Explanations are general and straightforward, revealing an acceptable understanding. Support is relevant but general, may be incompletely developed, and/or contains errors. An acceptable understanding of the assigned task is demonstrated. 3.2 Explanations are overgeneralized and/or redundant, revealing a confused, though discernible, understanding. Support is superficial, may not be always relevant, and may contain significant errors. An incomplete understanding of the assigned task is demonstrated. 1.6 Explanations are tangential or minimal, revealing a negligible understanding. Support, if present, is incomplete, may be marginally relevant, and contains significant and/or frequent errors. A minimal understanding of the assigned task is demonstrated. COMMUNICATION (2 marks) 2 The writing is fluent and purposefully organized. Vocabulary is precise. The writing demonstrates confident control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics. Errors, if present, are inconsequential. 1.6 The writing is straightforward and clearly organized. Vocabulary is specific. The writing frequently demonstrates effective control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics. Errors do not detract from communication. 1.2 The writing is generally clear and functionally organized. Vocabulary is adequate. The writing demonstrates basic control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics. Errors do not seriously interfere with communication. 0.8 The writing is uneven and incomplete, but is discernibly organized. Vocabulary is imprecise and/or inappropriate. The writing demonstrates a faltering control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics. Errors hinder communication. 0.4 The writing is unclear and disorganized. Vocabulary is ineffective and frequently incorrect. A lack of control of sentence construction, grammar, and mechanics is demonstrated. Errors impede communication.
Teacher Key Name: Directions: Complete the following questions based on the previous reading. 19. Who was the Spanish conquistador that encountered the Inca Empire in 1532? Francisco Pizarro 20. Approximately, when AND where did the Inca Empire begin? The Inca civilization arose from the highlands of Peru sometime in the early 13th century. 21. What was the capital city of the Inca Empire? Cuzco 22. Who was the first emperor of the Inca Empire? Pachacuti 23. What was the official langue of the Inca Empire? Quechua 24. The Inca Empire contained hundreds of local languages and dialects. What does this show about the Inca Empire and the population of the empire? It shows that the Incas had quickly taken over a large area of territory and therefore ruled over a wide range of people with different background. 25. Why do you suppose historians are unsure about the origin or rise to power of the Inca Empire? The Incas history was passed down with an oral history making it difficult to determine specific details today.
26. Why was the location of Cuzco ideal for the leaders of the Inca Empire? It was at a central point in the empire and allowed the Inca leadership the ability to easily oversee the far reaches of the empire. 27. What is another word that could be used to explain the meaning of suyu? a. Section b. Wealth c. Power d. Army 28. The Inca Empire had a diverse system of roads that spanned across the territory of the empire. a. How was this system of roads used by the Incas? This system of roads was used to move armies, keep control over their territory and distribute the wealth of the empire. b. Why was the construction of this road system so impressive? It was impressive because the empire spanned a wide variety of different terrains and would have been difficult to maintain. As well, the amount of roads constructed was numerous and impressive. 29. What is meant by mita? In a system known as mita, local people worked for the state on a regular basis. They would be used to construct roads, bridges, temples and other infrastructure as needed. 30. Briefly explain how the Inca economy worked. The Inca economy lacked a market system and physical money. Instead, each citizen of the empire was issued what they needed from the state storehouses, including food, tools, raw materials, and clothing. 31. What is the significance of a quipu? It was the Inca form of record keeping that involved different lengths and colors of rope. 32. Why did the Incas carry out human sacrifice? As a way of honoring and worshipping their gods.
33. Briefly explain the significance of clothing (textiles) in Inca culture. Cloth and clothing were not only a source of wealth and prestige in Inca society, but they were also a means of communication. Complex patterns on cloth served as a way of showing social status and family background. 34. Below is a picture of Inca stonework. According to the reading, why was this stonework so impressive? Inca engineers built stone structures without using any mortar, such that an object as thin as a razor blade could not fit between the stones. 35. If possible, access Google Maps, and search for Machu Picchu. You will be able to look at the ruins at street level to get a close up view of the Inca city. Take the opportunity to look around the site and see the city from different points on the map. a. Why is the construction of Machu Picchu so impressive? It was constructed on a high mountain-top with many stones. It stands as an impressive display of engineering and stonework in such a harsh environment. b. Why would it make a great military stronghold or retreat for Inca elites? It was so isolated and protected by the surrounding river that it would have been easy to defend. 36. Who was the last leader of the Inca Empire? Atahualpa
Teacher Key Name: Directions: Using an atlas or Google Maps, complete the map activity below to show the current countries of the world in the former region of the Inca Empire. COLUMBIA VENEZUELA ECUADOR PERU BRAZIL LIMA BOLIVIA PARAGUAY CHILE LABEL / COLOR ARGENTINA Ecuador Peru Chile Bolivia Columbia Brazil Argentina Paraguay Venezuela City of Lima
Teacher Explanation Name: In 1532, Francisco Pizarro and other Spanish conquistadors encountered the Inca Empire in South America. This event marked a significant meeting of two cultures and would be an important event in the history of the Age of Exploration. For this assignment, imagine that you are a Spanish writer and that you accompanied the Spanish conquistadors on their journey into Inca territory. You have returned back to Spain and have been asked by your local newspaper to complete an article detailing the Inca civilization that you encountered in the jungles of South America. The editor of the newspaper has asked you to create an article that details what you ve seen and learned about the Inca civilization, especially in regards to Inca: culture, achievements, economics and way of life. Your response MUST have the following elements: Headline (Catchy and Concise) Article (Explaining specific details about the Incas) Picture (Related to Topic) Caption for Picture (Concise and Informative) Your response MUST: Be detailed and specific Explain the ideas fully Use historically correct evidence and support The purpose of this assignment is for students to show their understanding of the Inca civilization after having completed the included reading. This activity will allow students the opportunity to show their learning in a creative fashion. The teacher may wish to allow students the opportunity to access more information from library, textbook or online sources. As well, the included format could be used for the final project or as a draft copy, depending on teacher discretion. Instead the teacher could have the student complete the work as a small poster Article project. A marking rubric has been included for ease of use.
TITLE ARTICLE PICTURE CAPTION