What happen when the incas where encountered by the Europeans?

When the Incas were encountered by Europeans, particularly the Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s, it marked the beginning of the collapse of the Inca Empire. The Spaniards exploited internal conflicts, such as the civil war between rival Inca factions, and used advanced weaponry and horses to overpower the Incas. The Europeans also brought diseases like smallpox, which devastated the indigenous population and weakened their resistance. Ultimately, the Spanish conquest led to the dramatic decline of Inca civilization and the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in the region.