Answer to Question #183390 in English for Jen

Question

1.  Both the Aztec and Inca Empires fell in the early sixteenth century when confronted with Spanish forces of a few hundred men. What were the primary reasons for their defeat? Do you think that their defeats were inevitable? Why or why not? In two paragraphs

2.  What factors led to the rise and fall of the Great Zimbabwe? What impact did trading and agricultural trends have on the development of the Great Zimbabwe? In two paragraphs

Answer 1

1. The Aztec and the Inca empires were defeated because the Spanish forces had heavy armor to protect themselves, well trained military forces and superior technology which was useful in combat. Also, the empires had been infected by small pox making them weak and easier to defeat.

The defeat of these empires was inevitable. With small pox killing many of their soldiers, their defence system was weak thereby giving the Spanish forces a chance to infiltrate the empires and conquer.

2. The Great Zimbabwe rose in the 11th century. Its rise was factored by rich soils which enabled agriculture, great pastures for livestock, mining fields where ivory and gold were mined. Furthermore, trade was a profitable source of income. Exchange of items like gold and ivory for glass and cloth made the elite wealthy therefore enhancing the capital prosperity of the kingdom. However, it started to decline due to the following factors famine and water shortages caused by climate change, political instability, exhaustion of ivory and gold mine fields and decline in trade.

Great Zimbabwe as a trading centre helped improve its economy, increase foreign income and also help in exchange of ideas. For example, artistic and stone masonry idea from the Mapungubwe was used to build stone structures in the kingdom. Engagement of people in livestock rearing and crop production enhanced food production and security and also improved barter trade.