Learn on PengiPengi Social Studies (Grade 7)Chapter 8: Civilizations of the Americas

Lesson 3: The Incas

In this Grade 7 Pengi Social Studies lesson from Chapter 8: Civilizations of the Americas, students examine how the Inca Empire governed a vast mountain territory through an extensive road network, suspension bridges, and terrace farming. Students also learn how the Mita labor tax system and Quipu record-keeping method allowed the Incas to organize their society and economy without a written alphabet.

Section 1

Adapting to the Andes: Terrace Farming

The Inca Empire rose in the Andes Mountains of South America, one of the harshest environments for a civilization. To farm on steep mountain slopes, the Incas developed Terrace Farming. They carved flat steps into the mountainsides and reinforced them with stone walls.

These terraces prevented rain from washing away the soil and allowed the Incas to grow distinct crops at different altitudes. They cultivated hundreds of varieties of Potatoes and maize. This ability to create a food surplus in a high-altitude environment was the foundation of their empire's stability and growth.

Section 2

Engineering the Empire: Roads and Bridges

To rule an empire that stretched 2,500 miles along the coast, the Incas built the most advanced transportation network in the Americas: the Inca Road System (Qhapaq Ñan). It consisted of 14,000 miles of paved roads crossing deserts and mountains.

The most impressive engineering feats were the Suspension Bridges made of woven grass ropes that spanned deep mountain gorges. These roads were strictly for government use. A relay system of runners called Chasquis could carry messages from one end of the empire to the other in days, ensuring the emperor in Cuzco stayed informed of rebellions or natural disasters.

Lesson overview

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Section 1

Adapting to the Andes: Terrace Farming

The Inca Empire rose in the Andes Mountains of South America, one of the harshest environments for a civilization. To farm on steep mountain slopes, the Incas developed Terrace Farming. They carved flat steps into the mountainsides and reinforced them with stone walls.

These terraces prevented rain from washing away the soil and allowed the Incas to grow distinct crops at different altitudes. They cultivated hundreds of varieties of Potatoes and maize. This ability to create a food surplus in a high-altitude environment was the foundation of their empire's stability and growth.

Section 2

Engineering the Empire: Roads and Bridges

To rule an empire that stretched 2,500 miles along the coast, the Incas built the most advanced transportation network in the Americas: the Inca Road System (Qhapaq Ñan). It consisted of 14,000 miles of paved roads crossing deserts and mountains.

The most impressive engineering feats were the Suspension Bridges made of woven grass ropes that spanned deep mountain gorges. These roads were strictly for government use. A relay system of runners called Chasquis could carry messages from one end of the empire to the other in days, ensuring the emperor in Cuzco stayed informed of rebellions or natural disasters.