649. The Fall of the Incas: The Last Emperor (Part 6) - The Rest is History Recap
Podcast: The Rest is History
Published: 2026-03-05
Duration: 1 hr 12 min
Summary
The episode explores the final phases of the Incan Empire's fall, marked by internal Spanish conflicts and the tragic demise of Incan leaders. It highlights the brutal consequences of the conquest, including demographic disasters and the end of the Incan sovereignty.
What Happened
In 1537, the Spanish forces in Peru were divided between Francisco Pizarro in Lima and Diego de Almagro in Cuzco, with roughly 4,000 Spaniards involved in the conquest. This division led to internal disputes over control, culminating in the Battle of Las Salinas in 1538 where Hernando Pizarro's forces defeated and executed Almagro.
Manco Inca, the Incan leader, retreated into the jungle and launched guerrilla attacks against the Spanish. Despite his efforts, Manco was unable to reclaim the empire, and his wife Kira Oklo was captured and killed by the Spanish, further demoralizing the Incan resistance.
Francisco Pizarro emerged as one of the richest men globally, having acquired immense wealth through conquest, though he showed little interest in Christian conversion or luxury. His ambition and cunning were key to his success, but his rule ended abruptly when he was assassinated in 1541 by supporters of Almagro's son, El Mozo.
After Pizarro's death, Almagro the Younger briefly declared himself the new master of Peru. However, the Spanish crown intervened by sending Vaca de Castro to restore order, leading to the Battle of Chupas in 1542, where Almagro the Younger was executed, ending his faction's influence.
The conquest of the Incas resulted in a demographic catastrophe, with indigenous populations suffering from diseases like smallpox and measles, as well as forced labor under the encomienda system. The opening of the Potosi mine in 1545 further exemplified the exploitation of native labor, earning the grim title 'the mountain that eats men.'
Manco Inca's descendants, such as Sairi Tupac and Tito Cusi, attempted to maintain some degree of autonomy in Vilcabamba, albeit with varying success. The execution of Tupac Amaru, Manco's other son, marked the definitive end of the Incan Empire, extinguishing hopes for a native resurgence.
Key Insights
- In 1538, the Battle of Las Salinas highlighted the fractious nature of Spanish conquest in Peru, as Hernando Pizarro's forces executed Diego de Almagro. This internal Spanish conflict underscored the precarious balance of power even among conquerors.
- Manco Inca's guerrilla warfare against the Spanish was a bold attempt to reclaim the Incan empire, but the capture and killing of his wife Kira Oklo by the Spanish dealt a severe blow to Incan morale and resistance.
- Despite amassing immense wealth, Francisco Pizarro's lack of interest in Christian conversion or luxury revealed a ruthless ambition driven purely by power. His assassination in 1541 by supporters of Almagro's son, El Mozo, abruptly ended his rule.
- The opening of the Potosi mine in 1545 epitomized the exploitation of indigenous labor under the encomienda system, earning the grim moniker 'the mountain that eats men'. This exploitation, coupled with diseases like smallpox, devastated native populations.
Key Questions Answered
Who was Francisco Pizarro?
Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Incan Empire. Despite his early life as an illegitimate, illiterate pig herder, he became one of the richest men through ambition and conquest.
What was the Battle of Las Salinas?
The Battle of Las Salinas, fought on April 6, 1538, was a decisive conflict between Hernando Pizarro's forces and those of Diego de Almagro. It resulted in Almagro's capture and execution, solidifying Pizarro's control over Peru.
What impact did the Potosi mine have?
The Potosi mine, opened in 1545, dramatically increased the silver supply, destabilizing the global economy. It was infamous for its deadly working conditions, with high mortality rates among indigenous laborers.