Conquest of the Incas

Pizarro's First Voyage

Nov 1, 1524

Pizarro made his first voyage to The New World in 1524. Like most who came to this "New World", he was in search of riches. However, after many hardships, he came back without new wealth.

Pizarro's Conquest

Period: Nov 15, 1524 to Dec 30, 1537

Pizarro's Second Voyage

Nov 1, 1526

Pizarro's second voyage was sent out with many more resources, a total of 160 men and multiple horses. All of this was carried by way of two boats. Pizarro split the expedition with the pilot, Bartolomé Ruiz. Ruiz made first contact with the Incas, who were on a raft at the time of them meeting and Ruiz saw that they held large amounts of silver and gold. Eventually Pizarro met back with Ruiz and discovered more Incan rafts. The Incas welcomed them and sent a report to the the King, Wayna Capac.

Wayna Capac dies.

Apr 10, 1528

Unfortunately, by the time the messengers made it to Wayna Capac, an outbreak of smallpox had started to spread throughout the Incan empire. By 1528, many of Wayna Capac's generals had grown fatally ill from it. It would eventually take him, and he died in 1528.

Pizarro's backers

Jul 10, 1529

Pizarro eventually sailed back to Spain. He needed royal approval and backers for his conquest. After showing the riches he brought back, he was well received in court.

"Discover and Conquer" License

Jul 26, 1529

In 1529, not only was he well received by the court, but also by royals. In fact, in 1529, he was granted a license to "Discover and Conquer" Peru.

Pizarro's Third Voyage

Jul 20, 1530

In 1530, Pizarro set out on his third voyage. However, when he got there, he saw the aftermath of the civil war that had broken out after Wayna Capac died. Pizarro and his army headed into the interior of the empire.

Diplomacy

Aug 15, 1532

After an unpleasant meeting with the new King's (Atahuallpa) nephew, Titu Cusi, the Spanish were told to wait for Atahuallpa and his army the next day. When Atahuallpa arrived, Pizarro sent Friar Vicente to share the Christian religion with them. When Atahuallpa was given the Bible, he threw it to the ground. Friar Vicente saw this and told the army that the Incas were against the Christian faith and gave the order to attack. Although many were killed, the King was merely captured.

Ransom

Period: Aug 17, 1533 to Aug 17, 1534

Atahuallpa was kept in a cell. He realized that the Spanish wanted gold, so he devised his own ransom. He planned to give his captors gold in exchange for his freedom. Unfortunately, he didn't know that the Spanish wanted to conquer and take over the Incan Empire.

Betrayal

Aug 18, 1534

When it came time for the Pizarro to release Atahuallpa, and keep his end of the deal, he found out that one of Atahuallpa's generals assassinated Huascar. Because of this, Pizarro put Atahuallpa on trial and Atahuallpa was executed.

The Revolt

Period: Oct 17, 1536 to Oct 18, 1537

Between 1536 and 1537, the Incas revolted against the Spanish. However, although it was one of the biggest revolts against colonial powers in South America, the Incas failed. They had too few weapons and even fewer soldiers who could use them.