Why were the Incas defeated by the Spanish conquistadores?
The Incas were defeated by the Spanish conquistadors for several reasons, including:

1. Superior weapons and technology: The Spanish conquistadors had access to advanced weapons such as muskets and cannons, which gave them a significant advantage over the Incas who relied on traditional weapons such as clubs, slings, and bows.
2. Disease: The Spanish brought with them diseases like smallpox and measles, which the Incas had no immunity against. The spread of these diseases decimated the Inca population, weakening their military and political power.
3. Superior tactics: The Spanish conquistadors were experienced military leaders and tacticians, while the Incas were relatively unsophisticated in their military strategies. The Spanish used tactics such as surprise attacks, ambushes, and the use of native allies to defeat the Incas.
4. Political divisions: At the time of the Spanish conquest, the Inca Empire was in the midst of a civil war between two rival brothers, Atahualpa and Huascar, for the right to the throne. This political instability weakened the Inca resistance to the Spanish invasion.
5. Economic motivations: The Spanish conquistadors were motivated by their desire for wealth, power, and land. They saw the Inca Empire as a rich source of resources and a potential source of wealth, which fueled their determination to conquer the empire.

In conclusion, the defeat of the Incas by the Spanish conquistadors was a result of a combination of factors, including technological superiority, disease, superior tactics, political divisions, and economic motivations.