Source E
Francisco Pizarro, a veteran conquistador of modest origins, landed in northern Peru with some 180
followers early in 1532. Pizarro led his men to the highland city of Cajamarca where Atahualpa was
enjoying nearby mineral baths. Atahualpa’s armies could have defeated the small force of Europeans
as they marched through the narrow mountain passes, but he could not comprehend that these few
strangers posed a threat to his grand person. On November 16, 1532, Atahualpa accepted an invitation
to dine with Pizarro in the city. Entering the central plaza with a retinue [escort] of 5,000 lightly armed
men, Atahualpa was boldly attacked and captured by Pizarro and a team of 20 soldiers. While the
all-powerful Inca ruler remained in the hands of the Europeans, his subordinates offered little
resistance …
In July 1533, after receiving dubious information that a large Inca force was preparing to attack
Cajamarca, the Spaniards accused Atahualpa of betraying them by ordering the assault and hastily
executed him … [Prior to his execution,] while a prisoner of the Europeans Atahualpa had ordered the
execution of his half-brother Huascar and other claimants to the Inca throne so that they could not profit
from the monarch’s [Inca’s] distress. At the same time, Atahualpa’s armies continued to destroy many
towns that had supported Huascar in the recent civil war. The Spaniards exploited this internal strife.
Source G Juan Lepiani, a Peruvian artist, depicts the events of 1532 in the painting
The Capture of Atahualpa (c1922–1927).
Question
5. (a) Why, according to Source H, was Atahualpa executed? [3]
(b) What does Source G suggest about Francisco Pizarro’s initial attack on the Incas? [2]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans
5. (a)Why, according to Source H, was Atahualpa executed? [3]
•To guarantee the lives of the conquistadors and their seizure of Peru.
•Because the followers of Almagro wanted to ensure they received their share of the spoilsof conquest.
•Pizarro wanted to free himself of the responsibilities that came with Atahualpa’simprisonment and/or resume his conquests.
•Because Atahualpa was “proven” to be responsible for the murder of Huascar and/or itwas claimed that Atahualpa had wanted to kill the Spaniards.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [3].
(b)What does Source G suggest about Francisco Pizarro’s initial attack on the Incas?[2]
•The Spaniards were a better equipped fighting force.
•The Church was involved.
•The campaign led to tumult.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [2].
Question
6. With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of
Source H for an historian studying Pizarro’s campaign against the Incas. [4]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans
6. Value:
•It is a detailed account that is based on the testimonies of witnesses.
•It suggests reasons for the execution of Atahualpa.
•It offers the perspective of someone with understanding of both Inca and Spanish culture.
Limitations:
•The information on the internal disputes among the conquistadors is limited.
•The views of the author, born to an Inca princess and a Spanish conquistador, may includeemotional responses to the events.
•Given the broad nature of the book, the information about Pizarro’s campaign against the Incasmay be limited.
The focus of the question is on the value and limitations of the source. If only value or limitations are discussed, award a maximum of [2]. Origins, purpose and content should be used as supporting evidence to make relevant comments on the values and limitations. For [4] there must be at least one reference to each of them in either the values or the limitations.
Question
7. Compare and contrast what Sources E and F reveal about the Spanish campaign against
the Incas
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans
Comparisons:
•Both sources affirm that Pizarro landed in northern Peru and headed towards Cajamarca, theseat of Inca power at the time.
•Both sources place the Spanish campaign in the context of the Inca civil war.
•Both sources claim the Spanish fought boldly.
•Both sources consider that depriving the Incas of their leader played an important role in theSpanish victory.
Contrasts:
•Source F claims the Incas were attacked by surprise and were consequently defeated whereasSource E claims Atahualpa missed an opportunity to attack the Spanish as they marched toCajamarca.
•Source F suggests that the internal strife of the Incas was a political situation that encouragedPizarro to capture Atahualpa whereas Source E suggests that the civil war became morerelevant to the Spanish campaign once Atahualpa was a prisoner of the Spanish.
Question
8. Using the sources and your own knowledge, discuss the view that it was Inca weakness,
rather than Spanish strength that led to the defeat of the Incas by Pizarro. [9]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans
8. Indicative content
Source E Atahualpa missed the opportunity to defeat Pizarro and his men before their arrival in Cajamarca because he did not understand Pizarro was a threat. The Incas offered little resistance after the imprisonment of Atahualpa, who further weakened the empire by ordering the execution of Huascar. The Spaniards exploited the internal strife between Atahualpa’s armies and the towns that had supported Huascar.
Source F The political instability resulting from the succession war between Atahualpa and Huascar encouraged Pizarro to march to Cajamarca. His surprise attack on Atahualpa contributed to the defeat of the Incas. With Atahualpa imprisoned, the Incas were unable to resist the Spanish advance.
Source G The painting shows Pizarro’s forces were equipped with horses and steel swords, indicating military superiority. It shows the Incas unprepared and unequipped for battle.
Source H The source suggests that the war between Atahualpa and Huascar was the indirect cause of the fall of the Inca empire. Pizarro’s decision to have Atahualpa executed for the death of Huascar left the Incas leaderless and unable to confront the Spanish successfully.
Own knowledge Candidates may offer further details on the weapons and cavalry that made the Spanish, though numerically inferior, stronger in battle. The Spanish use of alliances with Atahualpa’s enemies contributed to their victory. Candidates may offer information on the role of the Church, which believed that colonizing and converting the Inca state was a religious as well as a political aim. They may claim that the Incas misinterpreted the Spaniards when they thought they had only come for their gold and may argue that giving Pizarro and his men gold only increased their ambition. They may also argue the Spanish wanted land and that this became the driving force behind their success. Candidates may refer to Atahualpa’s commanders who refused to leave Cuzco unprotected to rescue him in Cajamarca. They may discuss the role of Inca religion and prophesies that initially led the Incas to believe Pizarro and his men were emissaries of the gods. Their interpretation of some natural phenomena of the time led the Incas to believe in the arrival of the end of times.