Which of the following distinguishes the Inca from the Aztecs?

The distinction that accurately sets the Inca apart from the Aztec civilization lies in the unique methods employed by each society for governance and expansion. The Inca developed an extensive network of roads across the rugged Andes Mountains, which facilitated not only communication and control over their vast empire but also the movement of goods and labor. This infrastructure allowed the Inca to efficiently mobilize resources and manage their subjects through a system of labor known as 'mita', which required citizens to participate in state projects, thus enhancing their administrative capabilities.

In contrast, the Aztecs were heavily reliant on warfare for their expansion and control over territory. Their society was structured around military conquests to acquire tributes from conquered peoples, and they focused on establishing dominance through conflict. While the Aztecs did form a centralized government, their emphasis on conquest differed markedly from the Inca's approach of integrating and managing their diverse population through administrative systems and labor organization rather than predominantly through military means.

Thus, the use of roads and a focus on labor by the Inca set them apart distinctly from the Aztecs, who prioritized military engagement in their expansionist strategies.