Some of the oldest civilizations appeared around 6000BC. Over the following three thousand years, inhabitants switched from nomadic lifestyles to cultivating land. Cultivation of plants such as corn and cotton began, as well as the domestication of animals such as the llama, the alpaca, and the guinea pig. Inhabitants practiced crafts such as pottery, basketry, spinning and knitting of cotton and wool. Some of the more advanced Andean civilizations such as the Mochica, Nazca, Chimu, Wari and Tiahuanaco appeared around 900BC. These cultures developed relatively advanced techniques of metalurgy, gold and silver craft, pottery, knitting, and cultivation. Around 700 BC, they appear to have developed systems of social organization and were the precursors of the Inca civilization.
The Incas created the largest empire of pre Columbian America which reached its greatest extension at the beginning of the 16th Century. It dominated a territory including Ecuador Columbia, Bolivia, Amazon forests, northern half of Chile and north-eastern Argentina. The empire originated from a tribe based in Cuzco, which became the capital and refered to as the Naval of the world. Pachacuti was the first ruler to considerably expand the boundaries of their territory. His offspring later ruled an empire by both violent and peaceful conquest.
The Royal City of Qosqo was created in the shape of a PUMA and "The Empire’s" administrative, political, and military center was located here. The official language Quechua was imposed on the citizens. Conquered tribes, kingdoms, states, and cities were allowed to practice their own religions and lifestyles, but had to recognize Inca cultural practices as superior to their own. The most import God of the empire, Inti, the Sun God, was to be worshipped and was represented on Earth by "The Inca" ("Emperor").
Attracted by the news of a rich and fabulous kingdom Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizzaro and his brothers, arrived in the country, which they called Peru in 1532. At that time, the Inca Empire was preoccupied by a five-year civil war between two princes, Atahualpa and Huascar. In a surprise attack on 16 November, 1532 Pizzaro captured the Inca Atahualpa causing a great consternation among the natives and conditioning the future course of the fight. When Huascar was killed, the Spanish tried and convicted Atahualpa of the murder, executing him by strangulation. Spanish domination consolidated itself as successive indigenous rebellions were bloodily repressed.
The situation was complicated by a power struggle between the Pizzaro family and Diego de Almagro. A long civil war developed, from which the Pizarros emerged victorious.Despite this, the Spaniards did not neglect the colonizing process. Its most significant milestone was the foundation of Lima in January 1535, from which the political and administrative institutions were organized. In 1542, the Spanish created the Viceroyalty of Peru. In 1572 Francisco Toledo ended the indigenous state of Vilcabamba executing the Inca Tupac Amaru and sought economic development through commercial monopoly and mineral extraction, putting the native communities under a cruel economic enslavement. In the 18th century The Viceroyalty of Peru became the richest and most powerful Spanish Viceroyalty of America.
The Republic of Peru gained Independence from Spain on 28 July 1821.
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