Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History

    Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016

    Key topic 3: The Spanish Empire c1528–c1555 - 1 Pizarro and the conquest…

    Full specification wording

    Option P1: Key topic 3: The Spanish Empire c1528–c1555 - 1 Pizarro and the conquest of the Incas: Key events of the Spanish conquest of Peru: the Battle of Cajamarca and the capture of Atahuallpa, the revolt of the Incas, the siege of Cuzco (1536–37). The impact of the conquest.

    The Spanish conquest of Peru hinged on key events, starting with the 1532 Battle of Cajamarca.

    Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 3 of 3
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The Spanish conquest of Peru hinged on key events, starting with the 1532 Battle of Cajamarca. Here, Pizarro's small force ambushed and captured the Inca Emperor Atahuallpa, using superior weaponry and horses to massacre thousands of unarmed Incas. Despite paying a massive ransom, Atahuallpa was executed. The Spanish installed puppet rulers, but this led to the revolt of the Incas led by Manco Inca. This culminated in the siege of Cuzco (1536–37), where massive Inca forces trapped the Spanish for months. The Spanish barely survived, aided by indigenous allies and relief forces. The impact of the conquest was devastating: the Inca Empire was destroyed, indigenous populations plummeted due to disease and forced labour, and Spain gained immense wealth, establishing a vast colonial empire in South America.

    What earns the marks

    • Describe the ambush tactics and technological advantages used by the Spanish at the Battle of Cajamarca.
    • Explain the circumstances of Atahuallpa's capture, ransom, and subsequent execution.
    • Detail the causes and leadership of the Inca revolt under Manco Inca.
    • Outline the events and outcome of the siege of Cuzco (1536–37).
    • Evaluate the demographic, political, and economic impacts of the conquest on both the Incas and the Spanish.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Describing Cajamarca as a traditional battle.

      Put it right: It was an ambush and a massacre of mostly unarmed Inca attendants, not a pitched battle.

    • Assuming the conquest ended with Atahuallpa's death.

      Put it right: The conquest faced significant resistance, notably the major revolt and the siege of Cuzco in 1536–37.

    • Overlooking the role of indigenous allies.

      Put it right: Acknowledge that the Spanish survival at Cuzco relied heavily on support from anti-Inca indigenous groups.

    Exam tips

    • When discussing the impact of the conquest, ensure you cover both the devastating effects on the indigenous population and the economic benefits for Spain.
    • Use the siege of Cuzco to demonstrate that Inca resistance was fierce and prolonged.
    • Link the capture of Atahuallpa to the psychological and political collapse of the Inca leadership.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Option P1: Key topic 3: The Spanish Empire c1528–c1555 - 1 Pizarro and the conquest of the Incas: Key events of the Spanish conquest of Peru: the Battle of Cajamarca and the capture of Atahuallpa, the revolt of the Incas, the siege of Cuzco (1536–37). The impact of the conquest. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What was the outcome of the Battle of Cajamarca in 1532?

    Listen

    The Spanish conquest of Peru hinged on key events, starting with the 1532 Battle of Cajamarca. Here, Pizarro's small force ambushed and captured the Inca Emperor Atahuallpa, using superior weaponry and horses to massacre thousands of unarmed Incas. Despite paying a massive ransom, Atahuallpa was executed. The Spanish installed puppet rulers, but this led to the revolt of the Incas led by Manco Inca. This culminated in the siege of Cuzco (1536–37), where massive Inca forces trapped the Spanish for months. The Spanish barely survived, aided by indigenous allies and relief forces. The impact of the conquest was devastating: the Inca Empire was destroyed, indigenous populations plummeted due to disease and forced labour, and Spain gained immense wealth, establishing a vast colonial empire in South America. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describe the ambush tactics and technological advantages used by the Spanish at the Battle of Cajamarca. Explain the circumstances of Atahuallpa's capture, ransom, and subsequent execution. Detail the causes and leadership of the Inca revolt under Manco Inca. Outline the events and outcome of the siege of Cuzco (1536–37). A common slip: Describing Cajamarca as a traditional battle. Instead, It was an ambush and a massacre of mostly unarmed Inca attendants, not a pitched battle. Exam tip: When discussing the impact of the conquest, ensure you cover both the devastating effects on the indigenous population and the economic benefits for Spain.

    See it

    A vertical flowchart showing the sequence of key events. It begins with the Battle of Cajamarca, which leads to the capture of Atahuallpa. This is followed by the ransom paid, then Atahuallpa executed. Next, the Spanish install puppet rulers, which leads to the revolt of the Incas led by Manco Inca. This is followed by the siege of Cuzco 1536-37, after which the Spanish survive with indigenous allies and relief forces. The final node is the impact of the conquest.
    The sequence of key events from the Battle of Cajamarca through to the impact of the Spanish conquest of Peru.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Conflict and conquest

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Technological disparity

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Indigenous resistance

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Consequences of empire

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Conflict and conquest
    Key events of the Spanish conquest of Peru, starting with the Battle of Cajamarca and the capture of Atahuallpa, followed by the revolt of the Incas and the siege of Cuzco.
    Technological disparity
    The Spanish used superior weaponry and horses at the Battle of Cajamarca to ambush and massacre thousands of unarmed Incas.
    Indigenous resistance
    The revolt of the Incas led by Manco Inca culminated in the siege of Cuzco, where massive Inca forces trapped the Spanish for months.
    Consequences of empire
    The Inca Empire was destroyed, indigenous populations plummeted due to disease and forced labour, and Spain gained immense wealth, establishing a vast colonial empire in South America.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A vertical flowchart showing the sequence of key events. It begins with the Battle of Cajamarca, which leads to the capture of Atahuallpa. This is followed by the ransom paid, then Atahuallpa executed. Next, the Spanish install puppet rulers, which leads to the revolt of the Incas led by Manco Inca. This is followed by the siege of Cuzco 1536-37, after which the Spanish survive with indigenous allies and relief forces. The final node is the impact of the conquest.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

    There is more to this lesson

    The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.

    Carry on with the full lesson

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    Test your understanding of Option P1: Key topic 3: The Spanish Empire c1528–c1555 - 1 Pizarro and the conquest of the Incas: Key events of the Spanish conquest of Peru: the Battle of Cajamarca and the capture of Atahuallpa, the revolt of the Incas, the siege of Cuzco (1536–37). The impact of the conquest.

    Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.

    Take topic quiz

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    Start free

    Cookies on MasteryMind

    Essential cookies keep you signed in.

    Analytics and advertising cookies stay off unless you accept.

    Read our Privacy Policy.