What was the impact of the conquest on Inca agriculture and trade?

The conquest significantly disrupted Inca agriculture and trade, leading to a decline in productivity and economic stability.

The Spanish conquest had a profound impact on the Inca Empire's agricultural and trade systems. The Incas had developed an intricate agricultural system, utilising terracing and irrigation to cultivate a variety of crops in the challenging Andean environment. However, the conquest led to a significant disruption in these practices. The Spanish introduced new crops such as wheat and barley, which were not suited to the Andean climate and soil, leading to a decline in agricultural productivity. The forced labour system, known as 'encomienda', imposed by the Spanish also resulted in a significant reduction in the Inca labour force, further impacting agricultural output.

The Spanish conquest also had a detrimental effect on the Inca trade system. The Incas had a complex trade network, with goods such as textiles, pottery, and food being exchanged across the empire. However, the conquest led to the collapse of this system. The Spanish imposed their own trade practices, focusing on the extraction of silver and gold for export to Europe. This shift in economic focus led to a decline in the production of traditional Inca goods, disrupting local economies and leading to a loss of cultural identity.

Furthermore, the introduction of European diseases such as smallpox decimated the Inca population, leading to a significant reduction in the labour force. This not only impacted agricultural productivity but also disrupted trade, as there were fewer people to produce and exchange goods. The loss of life also led to social and political instability, further exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the Incas post-conquest.

In conclusion, the Spanish conquest had a profound and lasting impact on Inca agriculture and trade. The disruption of traditional agricultural practices, the imposition of Spanish trade practices, and the devastating impact of European diseases led to a decline in productivity and economic stability, fundamentally altering the Inca way of life.