The third trip Pizarro is culminating with the taking of Peru and fall of the Inca Empire. Unlike the previous two, this one is mainly terrestrial, since it is more of a campaign of conquest than of exploration.
The first trip, led by Pizarro and his two partners, Diego de Almagro and Hernando de Luque, had ended up being a failure.
However, the second trip, despite all the dead in the expedition, ended up being a success when it found the first Inca populations of importance.
This meeting totally convinced Pizarro and his family that the taking of these lands was going to bring them wealth and power, although they needed the support of the Spanish Crown first.
Preparations
Before starting to prepare the trip himself and get men, ships and supplies, Pizarro heads to Spain to achieve something very important for him and his partners.
This was the signing of an agreement that guarantees that they will be able to take advantage of the wealth they find, as well as occupy positions of power.
This agreement is known as the Capitulation of Toledo, by which Pizarro obtains the government of Peru when he conquers it, as well as other economic benefits.
The conqueror's two partners also get many benefits, but less than Pizarro. This is going to cause some discomfort.
Once the capitulation was signed, Pizarro began to get men and material to begin the campaign.
Finally he leaves back to America. During 8 months of 1530 the soldiers were trained militarily, while Pizarro managed to gather three ships.
Trip
Finally, in early 1531, the expedition left for the south. It is made up of two ships, manned by 180 men.
They also transported horses, several slaves, and some indigenous people to help with communications.
The maritime part of this last trip is very limited, since they only reached the bay of San Mateo. From there, the rest was done by land, although the boats followed closely behind.
The first part was not easy. They were attacked by the so-called wart disease and many were unable to continue. Luckily for them, reinforcements joined them at that time.
After that setback, they continued the trip until they reached Tumbes. This city, so popular on the second expedition, disappointed some of the newcomers.
These soldiers expected her more spectacular. Furthermore, the city had been totally destroyed by the Inca Atahualpa.
As a milestone in this first stage, it can be said that on August 15, 1532, the first Spanish city in Peru was founded. His name is San Miguel de Piura.
The defeat of the Inca
The state of the Inca Empire upon the arrival of the Spanish was not the best possible. The civil war between Atahualpa and his brother had greatly weakened the empire and that made them show less resistance to the conquerors.
When Pizarro learns that the Inca Atahualpa is in Cajamarca, he quickly sets out to catch up with him. Once he arrives at the place, he asks the indigenous chief for a meeting.
However, it would be a trap. When Atahualpa refused to become a Christian and pay tribute to the King of Spain, the Spanish troops attacked shouting "Santiago!"
Atahualpa died on July 26, 1533, the Inca Empire is erased from history. What remains is simply some attempted uprising. In addition, Pizarro appoints his own Inca to strengthen his power.
References
- History of Peru. Pizarro's 3rd trip. Obtained from historiadelperu.carpetapedagogica.com
- Peruvian History. Conquest of the Tahuantinsuyo or Inca Empire. Obtained from historiaperuana.pe
- Gabai, RV (1997). Francisco Pizarro and his brothers: the illusion of power in sixteenth-century Peru. University of Oklahoma Press.
- Ancient Origins. The Dramatic Life and Death of Atahualpa, the Last Emperor of the Inca Empire. Retrieved from ancient-origins.net
- Liz Sonneborn. Pizarro: Conqueror of the Mighty Incas. Recovered from books.google.pl