Central America (Focus on Mexico)

History and Culture The Big Idea Native American cultures and Spanish colonization shaped Mexican history and culture. Main Ideas Early cultures of Mexico included the Olmec, the Maya, and the Aztec. Mexico’s period as a Spanish colony and its struggles since independence have shaped its culture. Spanish and native cultures have influenced Mexico’s customs and traditions today.

Main Idea 1: Early cultures of Mexico included the Olmec, the Maya, and the Aztec. People came to Mexico many thousands of years ago. As early as 5,000 years ago, they were growing beans, peppers, squash, and domesticated corn. Farming allowed people to build the first settlements in America.

Three Civilizations Olmec Lived in small villages by about 1500 BC Settled in the southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico Built temples and giant statues Maya Built big cities in Mexico and Central America between AD 250 and 900 Built stone temples Developed a calendar Kept written records that do not reveal the reason for their collapse Aztec Moved in from the north Built a great capital on an island in 1325 Established an empire, a land with different territories and peoples under one ruler Obtained new lands, taxes, and captives to sacrifice through war

Main Idea 2: Central America was conquered by the Spanish Empire Despite great size and power, the Aztec empire did not last long after Hernán Cortés arrived with 600 Spanish soldiers. The Spanish had better weapons and horses. The Spanish brought new diseases, such as smallpox, which killed many Aztecs. Cortés conquered the empire by 1521.

After the conquest, the separate peoples and cultures mixed. Colonial Times Culture After the conquest, the separate peoples and cultures mixed. Mestizos are people of mixed European and American Indian ancestry. Mulattoes are people of mixed European and African descent. Africans and American Indians also intermarried.

The Roman Catholic Church had great influence. Colonial Times Religion The Roman Catholic Church had great influence. The church ruled over large areas of northern Mexico. The church established missions, or church outposts. Priests learned native languages and converted the American Indians to Catholicism.

Colonial Times Economy The Spaniards searched for gold and silver. The American Indians and the enslaved Africans labored in the mines. As a result, many died from overwork and disease. The Spanish monarch granted haciendas, or huge expanses of farm or ranch land, to some Spanish people who became wealthy. Due to this, land reform is still a major issue for some in central America. Peasants, usually Indians, lived and worked on haciendas.

Independence and Later Struggles Spain ruled Mexico for 300 years. Miguel Hidalgo, a Catholic priest, led the revolt against Spain. Hidalgo was killed in 1811, but Mexico won independence in 1821.

Independence and Later Struggles Texas broke away from Mexico fifteen years after independence. During the resulting Mexican-American War, Mexico lost nearly half of its territory. In the mid-1800s, Benito Juárez helped Mexico survive a French invasion and reduced the privileges of the church and army. In the early 1900s, hacienda owners and foreign companies had much influence. The Mexican Revolution, 1910-1920, resulted in land reform.

Main Idea 3: Spanish and native cultures have influenced Mexico’s customs and traditions today. Most Mexicans speak Spanish. About 90 percent of Mexicans are Roman Catholic. Spanish Many people speak an American Indian language that ties them to their ethnic group. These languages identify a person as Indian. American Indian Mexicans have unique practices that result from the mixing of cultures. For example, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead to remember dead ancestors. This holiday is held on All Souls’ Day, but reflects native customs and beliefs. Spanish and American Indian

Major struggles of today Illegal immigration INTO Mexico. Central American countries flock to Mexico for opportunity. Illegal immigration INTO the United States. Many Mexican and Central American families flock to the US for opportunity. Extreme poverty in Southern Mexico

Major struggles today Major drug wars in certain areas of the north. Governments have chose to stay out of many of the drug wars in fear of retaliation. Corruption within governments. Ethnic groups are clashing, especially in certain parts of central America.