Post on 28-Dec-2015
transcript
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 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 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 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
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
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
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
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 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