SS6H2 The student will explain the
development of Latin America and the
Caribbean from European colonies to
independent nations.
a. Describe the influence of African slavery on the
development of the Americas.
b. Describe the influence of the Spanish and the
Portuguese on the language and religions of Latin
America.
c. Explain the Latin American independence
movement; include the importance of Toussaint
L’Ouverture, Simon Bolivar, and Miguel Hidalgo.
SS6H2a-African Slavery
Europeans who came to the Americas
needed a large & cheap labor force to
mine gold and silver and to grow sugar
cane.
Most natives died from diseases, violence
with Europeans, or harsh working
conditions.
Europeans looked to Africa for labor.
Many African slaves died of disease or
starvation.
SS6H2a-African Slavery
Slave labor helped to build many
businesses in Latin America, but the
wealth went back to Europe.
Countries started gaining freedom from
Europe in the 1800s, ending slavery.
Mulattoes = African & European ancestors
60% Cubans & 50% Brazilians are
Mulattoes
SS6H2b-Language & Religion
As the Spanish and Portuguese
conquered the indigenous people, they
spread their language and religion.
Spanish: Most of Central & South America
and the Caribbean Islands
Portuguese: Brazil
Spanish or Portuguese = languages of
government, business, and power
Native languages still spoken today
SS6H2b-Language & Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic
Spanish & Portuguese governments sent
missionaries to New World to convert
indigenous people to Christianity
Indigenous people often “said” they were
practicing Catholicism, but continued to
practice traditional beliefs
Some religions mixed with Catholic beliefs
SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Spain & Portugal ruled most of Latin
America for nearly 300 years
American Revolution in 1776 & French
Revolution in 1789 encouraged Latin
American countries to seek freedom
SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Toussaint L’Ouverture
Famous black freedom fighter in Saint
Domingue (present day Haiti)
Learned about freedom from his father
Plantation owner allowed him to read &
write
L’Ouverture - nickname because he
could find “openings” in the enemies’
lines
SS6H2c-Independence Movement
1789=French Revolution – granted freedom
to blacks & mulattoes
1791=French gov’t changed its mind
Toussaint led slave army & defeated French
troops
1793=French abolished slavery altogether
so Toussaint fought against Spanish &
British
Toussaint left in charge of Saint Domingue
1802=Toussaint was captured & imprisoned
in France (where he died soon after)
SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Simon Bolivar
Known as “Liberator” and “George
Washington of South America”
Helped win independence for Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and
Venezuela between 1810-1824
Bolivia is named after him
SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Simon Bolivar
Born to wealthy family in Venezuela
Read books about freedom & lived through
French Revolution
Became dictator & tried to create one large
South American country named Gran
Colombia
Died of tuberculosis in 1830
SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Miguel Hidalgo
Father of Mexican Independence, but he
did not live to see independence
Priest who led peasant army against
Spanish army in Mexico
1810-encouraged people to fight for
freedom
1811-Tried for treason, found guilty, &
executed
1821-Mexico won independence
SS6H3 The student will analyze
important 20th century issues
in Latin America and the
Caribbean.
a. Explain the impact of the Cuban
Revolution.
b. Explain the impact and political
outcomes of the Zapatista guerrilla
movement in Mexico.
SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
Prior to 1950’s
Americans traded with Cuba, owned land in
Cuba, & bought Cuba’s sugar cane crop
Late 1950’s
Batista made himself dictator, Cubans were
not happy (poverty, education, healthcare)
1959=Fidel Castro led rebels against
Batista & won. He ruled nearly 50 years.
SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro
Organized communist government
All farms, factories, & businesses owned
by Cubans became government property
All property belonging to Americans now
belonged to government
Arrested Batista supporters - most went
before firing squad, others to prison
Newspapers, radio & TV were shut down
Churches closed & property went to gov’t
SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro
Hospitals & schools were improved
Women & blacks were better educated &
had better jobs
Everyone was guaranteed a wage (very
low)
Christians were discriminated against
Cuba became one of poorest & least free
countries in the region
SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
United States
Embargo on Cuban goods (no more
sugar cane)
Soviet Union
Became friends with Cuba
Bought Cuba’s sugar cane
Supplied weapons & other goods to
Cuba
Helped educate young Cubans & trained
their military
SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
Cuban Missile Crisis:
1962- Cuba gave Soviet Union permission
to build missile launching complex in Cuba
US President JFK demanded missiles be
removed for safety of US cities
Soviets agreed after intense standoff
US allows 20,000 Cubans to enter US per
year as long as Cuba does not allow
people to “escape”
SS6H3b-Zapatista
Zapatistas= group of Mexicans who
support improved rights and living
conditions for Mexico’s indigenous people
Named after Emiliano Zapata who fought
for natives’ rights in early 20th century
NAFTA (1-1-94)- Zapatistas took over
several towns in Mexico to oppose NAFTA
Army had to remove Zapatistas
They continue in southern Mexico,
demanding better health care, housing,
education & jobs