Latin American Culture

Latin American History

Early History Before Columbus there were 3

Native American Empires

1. The Maya: 250 – 500 A.D.

2. The Aztec:1300’s – early 1500’s

3. The Inca: 1438-1533

The Maya Lived in Southern

Mexico & Northern Central America

Greatest city: Tikal Developed

accurate calendar Cities led by priests

& nobles Economy based on

agriculture & trade

The Maya - Tikal

The Maya – Chichen Itza

The Maya - Copan

The Maya - Uxmal

The Maya - Observatory

The Maya - Calendar

*Ends on Dec. 21, 2012

The Aztec

Located In South Central Mexico

The Aztec Capital City: Tenochtitlan (today Mexico City) Class system – Emperor at the top, farmers,

laborers & soldiers at the bottom Originated many foods: corn (maize), tomato

and chocolate (xocoatl “food of the gods”) In 1520 they were conquered by the Spanish

led by Hernan Cortes Aztecs thought he was Quetzalcoatl “The

Feathered Serpent” a god who would come back one day and lay claim to his kingdom

The Aztec - Tenochtitlan

The Aztec – The Conqueror

Hernan Cortes

&

Moctezuma II

The Aztec - Food

The Inca Capital City: Cuzco Had a central

government led by the Emperor

Built a massive network of roads through the Andes mountains and dense forests

Built irrigation system for the Atacama desert lands

Conquered by Francisco Pizarro in 1532

The Inca – Road System

The Inca – Machu Picchu

The Inca – Machu Picchu

The Inca – The Conqueror

Francisco Pizarro

&

Incan Emperor

The Colonial Period In 1492 Christopher Columbus landed on

Hispanola & many Europeans followed suit

In the 1500’s Spain conquered the Aztec and Incan empires. This began the European colonization

The colonizers brought many things with them including: new animals, new plants, new weapons, new language, new religion, new diseases & slaves

The native peoples died rapidly due to war & disease

The Colonial Period Spain & Portugal ruled all of Latin America by the

1700’s

1791-1825: The Wars of Independence took place.

Countries were pushing the colonial Spanish and Portuguese out.

Most of colonial rule was gone by 1825

Colonial Rule: Early 1500’s – 1825

The Modern Era 1830’s – 1980 Most Latin American

countries were ruled by dictators

Today elected governments run most Latin American countries

Democracy has not solved Latin America’s problems; poverty is widespread, schools are poor, governments are not stable and living standards are low

Latin American Governments

Types of Government Most of the governments in Latin America

are elected (Democracies and Republics)

Communist/Socialist Cuba, Venezuela

Territories French Guiana Many of the Caribbean Islands including

the Virgin Islands

There are no Monarchies

Latin American Economies

Economies Most of the economies of Latin America still rely

on agriculture. The largest and most advanced economies are in

Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. The Caribbean Nations economies are dominated

by tourism. Tourism is also a large part of the economies of

Belize, Costa Rica & parts of Mexico. A major problem in most Latin American countries

is the distribution of wealth. Small upper class that owns most of the wealth Large numbers of people that are very poor Almost a non existent middle class

Latin American Religions

Religions The vast majority of Latin American peoples are

Catholic. Emphasize the role & status of Mary and Saints Have many unique rituals

There is a large minority of Protestants in: Guatemala (25%), Honduras (17), El Salvador (16), Chile

(15), Brazil (15), Costa Rica (15), Panama (15)

There is also a growing minority of various faiths including: Jewish, Muslim, native religions and other Christian faiths besides Catholicism

Latin American Languages

Languages Spanish is the official language of most

Latin American countries

English is the official language in Belize and the U.S. & British Virgin Islands

Portugese is the official language of Brazil

Other Elements of Latin American

Culture

Other elements of culture Social Organization

Family life is highly valued The Arts

Vary from country to country Ex: Music in Mexico - ? Caribbean - ?

Customs & Traditions What are some customs and traditions

practiced in Latin America? Food & Clothing

Vary from country to country Ex: Paella – Puerto Rico, Mole – Central America