Chapter 10 A Blending of Cultures

Mexico: Colonialism and Independence Spanish Conquest The native way of life was destroyed In 1519, Hernando Cortes marched into Tenochtitlan or present day Mexico City and conquered the Aztec people living there Mexico became part of the Spanish Empire Independence from Spain Achieved independence from Spain under Agustin de Iturbide in 1821.

Colonialism and Independence Pre-Mexican Revolution Land continues to be unequally distributed A few rich landowners owned haciendas (estates or ranches ) which were worked by peasants Corrupt Politicians ruled until the Mexican Revolution Mexican Revolution Occurred in 1917, led by Pancho Villa A new constitution was adopted and nearly half of Mexico’s farmland was redistributed to peasants

Colonialism and Independence One-Party Rule - Institutional Revolutionary Party arose in 1929 Introduced Democracy Made some reforms and continued redistributing land to peasants Fraud and corruption undermined the Democratic process National Action Party In 2000, Vicente Fox was elected president 1st time in 71 years, the PRI did not control Mexico’s congress or presidency

A Meeting of Cultures The Aztecs The Spanish The Aztec Empire in the Valley of Mexico Arrived in the valley around A.D. 1200 Tenochtitlan was capital where they practiced human sacrifice in their temples The Spanish Cortes destroyed most of Tenochtitlan and Spaniards built Mexico City on top of the ruins Ancient Aztec ruins and relics keep turning up as modern projects in Mexico City are built

A Meeting of Cultures Spanish & Native American Culture Spain brought its language and religion to this region creating a majority Catholic population Spanish elements, such as architecture, blended with native elements Native heritage remains strong There is a large mestizo population ( the mixing of Spanish & Native American heritage ) Painters, like some architects, blended Native American and Spanish influences

Economics: Cities and Factories Two Economic Challenges Closing a long-standing gap between the rich and poor Developing a modern industrial economy Population and the Cities Populations are increasing as citizens are moving into cities for job opportunities

Economics: Cities and Factories Oil Oil reserves along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico Oil industry is an important part of developing its industrial economy Profits have helped develop manufacturing industries Manufacturing Most new factories are located in the North Maquiladoras assemble imported materials into finished products for exporting NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement

Mexican Life Today Emigration School Many workers (thousands) leave Mexico and travel to the U.S. to find work These emigrants send money back home to families Major problem in Mexico School About 85% of school-age children attend school Education is a necessity for finding good jobs Gov’t is trying to improve education to improve their populations way of life

Mexican Life Today Jobs Cities Most jobs in Mexico today are found in Maquiladoras or factories Cities Many people are moving into the cities to find better employment opportunities

Central America and the Caribbean Central America – Land Bridge between North and South America Native people include Mayas and Aztecs Spanish settlers and people from Africa have influenced the culture Spain and Britian were colonial powers Catholicism was major religion Spanish is main language

Central America and the Caribbean Native people were the Taino Africans, Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish groups have all influenced the culture of this region Colonial powers included Spain, Britain, France, Netherlands, and Denmark Major religions include Catholicism, Protestantism, Santeria, Voodoo, and Rastafarianism Major languages include Spanish, French, English, Dutch, and Danish

Native and Colonial Central America Central America – A Cultural Hearth A heartland or place of origin of a major culture Mayan Influence Civilization stretched from southern Mexico into northern Central America Built many cities with temples and palaces Tikal, northern Guatemala, considered the center of Mayan civilization

Native and Colonial Central America The Spanish in Central America Spain ruled Central America until the 19th Century Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821 In 1823, Central America declared its independence from Spain and took the name “United Provinces of Central America” By late 1830’s, United Provinces had split into separate nations These nations became El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras Later, Panama broke off from Colombia and became independent Belize broke away from British Honduras

Native and Colonial Caribbean Caribbean Influences Columbus reached the Caribbean Islands in 1492 Inhabitants called themselves the Taino Spanish settled some islands and established sugar plantations After many natives died from diseases, African slaves were used as a replacement for forced labor The result is Africans have a lasting influence on Caribbean life and culture

Native and Colonial Caribbean Colonial Mosaic Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish all claimed islands in the Caribbean Wanted to profit from the sugar trade Caribbean Independence In the 1790’s, Toussaint L’Ouverture led a slave revolt in Haiti and took over the government Haiti achieved independence from France by 1804 Cuba achieved independence from Spain in 1898 After U.S. occupation, the island became self governing in 1902. Jamaica, Trinidad, & Tobago did not achieve full independence from Great Britain until 1962

Cultural Blends The Culture of Central America Two distinct cultures – Native American & Spanish Spanish Language, Catholic Religion, some Protestant Missionaries Cut down forests, opened up land for grazing livestock, & new crops such as wheat The Culture of the Caribbean Residents of Islands are of European, African, & Native American ancestry Religions, languages, village life, markets, & crops have all been influenced by these three groups

Economics: Jobs and People Farming and Trade Largest export crop is sugar cane Other important crops are bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, & spices Caribbean & Central American region are very poor Panama Canal Canal that cuts through Panama Links the hemispheres Makes Panama a crossroads for world trade

Popular Culture, Tourism, & Jobs Music of the Caribbean Calypso – Began in Trinidad & combines elements from Africa, Spain, and the U.S. Reggae – Began in Jamaica, combines Caribbean, African, and U.S. influences, and often focuses on religion and social problems Tourism and the Informal Economy Tourism provides locals with jobs Informal jobs include street vending, shining shoes, & other jobs which provide income

Spanish Speaking South America History Native people dominated, but their language, Quechua, remains Many aspects of Spanish culture survive Spanish Language Catholic Religion Independence Movements brought liberation, but not ability to work together toward common goals Government by the few characterize many countries of South America

Spanish Speaking South America Economics Subregion produces a wide variety of products Oil is most important economic asset Chile has been leader in economic success and cooperation in the region Education Most countries have high rates of education and literacy Chile has an especially high rate of literacy

Conquest & the End of Spanish Rule The Inca Located in rugged Andes Mountains of Peru Build an advanced civilization By 1500, Inca empire stretched 2500 miles along west coast of South America Ran from present-day Ecuador to Argentina Empire was linked by 20,000 miles of road The Spanish Conquest Conquered by Pizarro and his soldiers Primarily interested in Inca gold and silver

Climate and Vegetation Climate Zones range from hot and humid Amazon River basin to dry and desert-like conditions of northern Mexico 2 million sq mi covered by Amazon rain forest Savannas Found in Brazil, Colombia, & Argentina

Human Environment Interaction Terraced Farming- ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes Slash and burn- trees, brush, and grasses cut and burned to clear fields. Effective in humid and tropical areas Amazon River basin

Human Environment Interaction Argentina, Chile, Uruguay 3 most urbanized countries People are moving from rural areas into cities In search off jobs and a better life Push/pull factors

Human Environment Interaction Tourism + increased employment + more money introduced into local economy - congestion - pollution