Introduction to Latin America
p. 204-207
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
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•
•
•
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