European Control of Western Hemisphere Spanish Religion & Missions

Spread of Christianity After the Spanish conquered the Aztecs and the Incas (and other Native Americans), they tried to convert them to Christianity.

Dramatic Changes for Natives Pre-Christian Beliefs More than 1 God Human Sacrifice Large Temples Rituals Art Depicts Religion Christian Beliefs 1 God No Human Sacrifice Churches Mass Art Depicts Religion

Spread of Christianity Just as the Catholic Church was powerful in Spain… it soon became powerful in Latin America Catholic priests set up churches, schools, hospitals and Spanish missions

Missions

The purpose of Spanish Missions and the priests was to spread the Christian religion among the local natives.

Missions To help accomplish this, each Spanish mission recruited local natives, brought them to live at the mission and taught them Spanish, farming and other skills.

Religious Adaptations Ceremonies Christian masses included dramatic rituals that were similar to natives’ original religious rituals. Locations Churches often built upon areas where natives’ temples were located. Example – Cuzco Cathedral

Religious Adaptations Artwork (Zapata’s Last Supper)

Religious Adaptations Artwork (Da Vinci’s Last Supper ) – Notice Differences?

Differences in Paintings Zapata’s painting incorporated the following: Use of Red (common color used in Peruvian artwork) Jesus & Disciples eating a guinea pig (traditional meat eaten in Inca lands).

Consequences Today The lasting impact of the spread of Christianity can still be found throughout Latin America today. 94% of Latin Americans are Roman Catholic.