Introduction to Latin America

Introduction to Latin America

p. 204-217

Historical Overview

• Thousands of years ago, people migrated to the Americas.

• Some organized complex societies and developed agriculture. What’s the connection?

Mayans in Cancun

Mayan Numerals

Mayan Acropolis

Mayan kids

Mayan parenting

• The Maya desired some unnatural physical characteristics for their children. For instance, at a very young age boards were pressed on babies' foreheads to create a flattened surface. This process was widespread among the upper class.

Mayan Civilization

• Another practice was to cross babies' eyes. To do this, objects were dangled in front of a newborn’s eyes, until the newborn’s eyes were completely and permanently crossed.

The Mayan Civilization

• The Maya peoples survived the Classic period collapse and the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores and sixteenth-century Spanish colonization of the Americas. Today, the Maya and their descendants form sizable populations throughout the Maya area

Mayan Civilization

• First known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems.

The Aztec Empire

• 1300s to 1500s• Tentochitlan (Mexico City)• Moctezuma- Aztec king• Hernan’ Cortes- Spanish Conquistador• Engaged in human sacrifice• Spaniards become unwelcome guests,

destroyed the capital city

Tentochitlan back then

Storming of Tentochitlan

Tentochitlan today

Aztecs

• Smallpox and Spanish conquest destroyed the civilization

Incas

• 1438-1533• Centered in Peru• Machu Picchu- emperor’s estate• Incans chewed coca leaves for energy (coca

cola)• Last ruler, named Tupac, was executed by

Spanish Conquistadors

New Cultures

• Christopher Columbus landed in the West Indies in 1492.

• Spanish conquistadors, or Spanish conqueror explorers came to Latin America from Spain.

• Most of Latin America came under control of Spain and Portugal.

• Enslaved Africans brought to work on plantations in the Americas.

New Cultures, cont..

• This cultural convergence, or merging of cultures led to a new culture that combined Native, European, and African traditions.

• Europeans developed a colonial class structure, with them at the top in Latin America.

Map Activity p.205 and 207

• Draw and Label your own political and physical map of Latin America.

• Label the countries, major cities, mountains, and rivers.

Independent Republics

• In the late 1700’s to early 1800s, Latin America fought for independence from Spain and Portugal.

• Portugal- Brazil• Spain- most other countries (except Belize)

Independent Republics

• Toussaint L’Ouverture, a self educated former slave, led the revolt against the French in Haiti.

• Simon Bolivar led a revolt in Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

L’ouverture

Bolivar

Independent Republics

• Just because a country is independent, doesn’t mean democracy is the result. Think about the U.S.

• Colonial class structure still remained in effect, after Europe let go of power.

• People still stayed there to rule

Latin American Economies

• Latin American economies relied on cash crops and trade with Europe.

• If crop failure occurred, the economy crashed.

• Local military rulers called caudillos would then take over a country with a failed economy.

Struggles for Reform

• Mexicans led rebellion against Mexican Dictator Porfirio Diaz, whose brutal rule left most Mexicans poor and landless during the early 1900’s.

• 1917 Constitution- led to land reform and workers rights

Struggles for Reform, cont.

• A Cuban Revolution occurred in 1959, leading to Communist rule by Fidel Castro.

• Military rule in Latin America began to decline in the 1980’s and 1990’s, giving rise to democracy.

Economic Gains

• Latin Americans worked to reduce their dependence on a single crop.

• Promoted industry, eased debt (which helped their economy).

• Reduced foreign control of business (Latin American control meant more money going to the continent.)

Physical Characteristics, p. 206

• Pampas, cays, and Coral

• Andes Moutains• Amazon Lowlands• Tectonic Plate Collisions