Blood and Gold (with Dan Snow)
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
00:00
The Fall of the Inca Empire
This chapter examines the catastrophic effects of European diseases on indigenous populations in the Americas, particularly following Columbus's arrival in 1492. It narrates the rise of Francisco Pizarro as an ambitious explorer amidst the decline of the Inca civilization, resulting in a dramatic clash with Inca ruler Atahualpa and the subsequent capture that sealed the empire's fate. Through this lens, the chapter highlights the tragic misunderstandings between cultures and the dire consequences of conquest.
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