• Which of the following are true about Mayan people?
• They built their huge structures without beasts of burden.
• They built their buildings and carved their hieroglyphics
without metallic tools.
• They did not use carts or wagons with wheels.
Warm-Up
November 12, 2013
South America
Colonization
• Using the Power Point handout, complete the graphic
organizer.
• Make sure you know the population of each country and
it’s ethnic makeup, the language and religion of each
country, and any distinguishing characteristics.
• Once you have completed your organizer, come get the
Out the Door Questions to turn in at the end of class.
Today’s assignment
• Early signs of the Maya in South America began as early as 1000 BC.
The Maya gradually established a powerful kingdom (or kingdoms)
which extended over most of Central America.
• Around 1300, the Maya state began to decline and two other important
kingdoms formed near them. One was the Aztecs in what is now
Mexico. The other was the Inca in what is now Ecuador and Peru.
• Although the Maya state was clearly in decline by the 1400s, all three
of the big states - the Maya, the Aztec and the Inca - were still there
when the first Europeans came to South America around 1500.
South America Before 1500 Indian Empires
• Early explorations and conquests were
made by the Spanish and the
Portuguese.
• Spanish conquistadors
• Vasco Nunez de Balboa conquered large
territories in North, Central and South
America
• Hernan Cortes took over the Aztec
Kingdom
• Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca
Empire.
• Portuguese Conquistador
• Pedro Alvares Cabral landed on the
coast of Brazil in 1500
European Colonization - Glory
• In 1537, the church issued a ruling that recognized
that Native Americans possessed souls
• The process of Christianization and many places
dedicated to the pagan religions were burned.
• Eventually, the people began to adapt the new
Christian teachings to their local customs.
• New churches were built leading to a mix of old
world Christianity and local religions.
European Colonization - God
• When Atahualpa, the Incan Emperor, was held for
ransom, the Spanish explorers saw the treasure
gathered and began their search for gold.
• They found fortunes of gold in Colombia, Ecuador,
and Chile.
• More than 180 tons of gold was shipped to Europe
between 1500 and 1650.
European Colonization - Gold
• The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas
divided the entire non-European
world into two areas of exploration
and colonization
• Based on this treaty, Spain colonized
land west of the boundary and
Portugal colonized Brazil, east of the
boundary.
• However, Spain and Portugal weren’t
the only countries to send explorers
to the New World.
• England and France disputed the
terms of the Treaty of Tordesillas and
eventually succeeded in
establishing permanent colonies.
South American Colonization
• South America has 13 countries that
can be divided into four regions.
• Brazil
• Northern Tropics
• Andean Countries
• Southern Grassland Countries
South America Today
• Colonized by Portugal in 1500
• From 1500 to 1800, more than 3 million slaves were
brought into Brazil
• Today, they are the largest country in South America
both in size and in population
•
•
•
•
170 million
Most of Portuguese descent
The rest are of African descent and mulatto
Official language is Portuguese
Brazil
• Guianas – Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana
• Different from the rest of South America – not
Spanish speaking and not Roman Catholic
• Guyana - 700,000
• official language English
• Asian migration in mid 1800s
• Most of the population is Asian descent and
speak languages of India
• Religion is mainly Muslim or Hindu
Northern Tropic Region
The Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia
• Suriname – 400,000
• Colony of the Netherlands until 1975
• 50% Asian, 10% African descent, 30% mulatto
• Official language is Dutch
• Religion is mainly Muslim or Hindu
• French Guiana – not an independent country but an
overseas department of France
• Similar population to Suriname but the mulatto
population is the largest
• Official language is French
Northern Tropic Region
The Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia
• Venezuela – 24 million
• Official language is Spanish
• Most are of European descent or mestizo
• Catholic
• Colombia – 40 million
• 2nd most populous country in South America
• Gained independence from Spain in 1820
• Official language is Spanish
• Catholic
• European descent or mestizo
Northern Tropic Region
• In the four Andean Countries, the main religion is Roman
Catholicism
• Ecuador – 12.9 million
• 25% population is of Indian descent and speak Quechua
• 50% mestizo and 10% European; speak Spanish
• Peru – 26.1 million
• Heart of Inca Empire
• 45% Indian, speak Quechua or Aymara
• 50% mestizo, speak Spanish
Andean Countries
Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile
• Bolivia – 7.8 million
• Landlocked country
• Majority population is Indian, speak Quechua or Aymara
• The rest are mestizo, speak Spanish
• Chile – 15 million
• 2/3 of the people are mestizo (European and indigenous)
• The remaining third are primarily European descent and
speak Spanish
• Very few Indians
Andean Countries
Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile
• The Southern Grassland Countries have more in
common with Europe than with the rest of South
America
• They are the most prosperous countries in South
America
• The main religion is Roman Catholic
The Southern Grassland Countries
Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina
• Paraguay – 5.3 million
• Most are mestizo and speak Guarani (a local Indian language)
and Spanish
• Uruguay – 3.3 million
• Most are European descent (Italian and Spanish
• Speak Spanish
• Argentina – 37 million
• Most are European descent (Italian and Spanish
• Speak Spanish
The Southern Grassland Countries
Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina
• What three Indian Empires were present in South
America when the Europeans first arrived?
• How are the Guianas different from the rest of South
America?
• Which region is the most economically prosperous?
• How did the population of South America change
because of European colonization?
Out the Door Questions