Mit'a

Definition

Mit'a refers to a labor system used by the Inca civilization that required citizens to contribute a certain amount of labor for public projects and state activities. This system was essential for maintaining the vast infrastructure of the Inca Empire, including roads, agricultural terraces, and temples. Mit'a helped foster a sense of community as everyone participated in civic duties, while also supporting the empire’s extensive administrative and agricultural needs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mit'a required all able-bodied citizens to work for the state for a certain number of days per year, often around a few weeks depending on local requirements.
2. The system helped to construct and maintain critical infrastructure such as roads, irrigation systems, and agricultural terraces that supported the empire's economy.
3. In addition to public works, mit'a labor could also be directed towards military service or supporting state functions during times of need.
4. While mit'a was compulsory, it was viewed as a civic duty and was often reciprocated with benefits such as food, shelter, and protection from the state.
5. The Spanish colonizers adapted the mit'a system into the encomienda system, exploiting it for forced labor in mines and agriculture after their conquest of the Inca Empire.

Review Questions

• How did the mit'a system function within Inca society and what impact did it have on community relationships?
  • The mit'a system functioned as a mandatory labor contribution where citizens had to provide labor for public projects for a set period each year. This requirement fostered a strong sense of community, as individuals worked together on state-sponsored initiatives. The system encouraged cooperation and mutual support among community members while emphasizing civic responsibility, thus intertwining individual roles with broader societal goals.
• Discuss the economic implications of the mit'a system on Inca infrastructure and agricultural development.
  • The mit'a system had significant economic implications for Inca infrastructure and agricultural development. By mobilizing a large workforce for public projects, the Incas could build extensive road networks, irrigation systems, and agricultural terraces that greatly enhanced productivity. These developments allowed for improved trade routes, facilitated communication across vast distances, and supported agriculture in diverse environmental conditions, ultimately leading to a more robust economy.
• Evaluate the transformation of the mit'a system under Spanish colonial rule and its effects on indigenous communities.
  • Under Spanish colonial rule, the mit'a system was transformed into a tool of exploitation known as the encomienda system. This shift prioritized Spanish economic interests over indigenous welfare, leading to forced labor in mines and plantations. The effects on indigenous communities were devastating; they faced harsh working conditions, significant population declines due to overwork and disease, and loss of traditional autonomy. This transformation not only disrupted local economies but also contributed to cultural disintegration within indigenous societies.

Related terms

Inca Empire: A powerful South American empire known for its advanced political, architectural, and agricultural practices, which flourished from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

ayllu: The traditional form of community organization in Inca society, consisting of extended families that worked collectively on communal lands.

vertical archipelago: A geographical concept used by the Incas to describe their farming strategy that involved cultivating crops at different altitudes to optimize agricultural output across diverse environments.