WHI-Chap6/21-Obj8
How Aztec and Incans treated conquered peoples
Aztec
The Mexica (Aztecs) were a group of migrants from northwestern regions that arrived in central Mexico around the thirteenth century. In 1345, they settled in Tenochtitlan. By the fifteenth century, they began to overcome their neighbors with the primary intention to extract tribute. Under the rule of Itzcoatl and Motecuzoma, they launched expeditions against Oaxaca in southern Mexico. They slayed inhabitants and populated Oaxaca with colonists. Following Oaxaca, they focused on the Gulf Coast; the tropical products were valued tribute items. Lastly, they conquered cities of the high plateaus between Tenochtitlan and the Gulf coast. Allying with Texcoco and Tlacopan, they imposed rule on about 12 million people.
From the subjects, they received food crops and manufactured items, including textiles, rabbit-fur blankets, embroidered clothes, jewelry, and obsidian knives. The required tribute was often very oppressive. Extracted luxury goods (jade, emeralds, tortoise shells, jaguar skins, feathers, seashells, and game animals), as well as vanilla beans and cacao, were entrusted to official merchants, who traded them in distant lands.
They did not maintain a bureaucracy or administration. After conquering, they allowed subjects to rule themselves and simply extracted tribute. The Aztecs did not maintain military garrisons or a standing army to keep the people in line; fear of punishment ensured loyalty.
For more information on Aztecs:
Pages 541-548 in Traditions and Encounters
Founding of Tenochtitlan and Accomplishments/Characteristics of Aztec Empire
Aztec Religious Beliefs and Practices
Social Classes in Aztec Society
Political and Economic Operation of Aztecs
Inca
The Inca settled in the highlands around Lake Titicaca in the mid-thirteenth century. In 1438, Pachacuti launched military campaigns to expand the Inca's authority over the southern and northern highlands, as well as the coastal kingdom of Chimu (which was defeated when Pachacuti gained control of the waters of Chimu's irrigation system).
They led armies composed of conquered people and staffed a bureaucracy that took care of political affairs. Because they were not numerous enough to outnumber the subjects, they encouraged obedience with three methods: taking hostages from the ruling classes and forcing them to live at the capital (Cuzco); sending in loyal colonists, providing them with choice land and economic benefits, and establishing military garrisons; and resettling those who rebelled.
Pachacuti designed a system of government, implemented taxes, organized a system of storehouses to stock agricultural surpluses, and constructed a network of roads. Major long distance trade was controlled by the central government; the Incas and their subjects were only allowed to barter locally.
For more information on Incas:
Pages 551-555 in Traditions and Encounters
Incan Religious Beliefs and Practices
Rise, Accomplishments, and Characteristics of the Inca People
Social Classes in Incan Society
Political and Economic Operation of Incans
