Central America and the Caribbean Chapter 10, Section 2

Isthmus Cultural hearth United Provinces of Central America Panama Canal Calypso Reggae Informal economy

Human Perspective A man, a plan, a canal, Panama! The fact that Central America is an isthmus has made it attractive to other world powers has helped to keep this region fragmented and polically unstable. The United States encouraged a revolution in Panama in 1903 in order to gain a grant of land ten miles wide across the Isthmus to build a canal. Because of this canal, Panama is now a crossroads of World trade.

Native and Colonial America The Maya Spanish control Independence United Provinces of Central America Separation The Maya built a great civilization that stretched from southern Mexico to northern Central America. They began to leave the cities in the 800s; no one really knows why. The evidence of this great civilization is magnificent pyramids (some of them among they tallest structures in the Americas before the 20th century) marking the center of each city, such as the one in Tikal in Guatemala. The Mayan culture spread through military alliances and trade. With Cortez’ victory over the Aztecs in Mexico, Central America was opened to Spanish conquest, a phase that lasted until the 1820s, when many Latin American colonies successfully tried to break free from Spain. At first, the area called itself the Untied Provinces of Central America, but by the 1830s, it had split into separate nations.

Native and Colonial Caribbean Indians Spanish arrival Sugar and slaves Rebellion and independence The Caribbean was controlled by MANY European powers. Columbus called the natives “Indians”. (Taino, Caribs, Arawaks) The Spanish started sugar plantations, using Taino as forced labor, but it didn’t work out—they died in large numbers and… So, they replaced the Taino with slaves brought from Africa. As a result, African culture has had a lasting impact on the Caribbean. The list of European powers who entered the sugar trade in the Caribbean is long: Spain, France, British, Dutch, and even the Danish, and all brought African slaves to their possessions. Independence started early in the Caribbean, with the Haitian revolt under Toussaint L’Ouverture (1799-1804), Cuba rebelled against Spain in 1898, with help from the USA. The rest started to gain their independence in the 1960s; some colonies still exist.

Cultural Blends Blends Spanish and Native in Central America Other European and African in Caribbean The culture blend differs from place to place in Central America and the Caribbean. The predominant culture in Central America blend Spanish and Native American influences: Spanish and Catholicism dominate. The Spanish brought livestock, wheat, their brand of agriculture with large farms and ranches and moved many native peoples off the land and into the towns they built. In the Caribbean, a great variety of influences were at work. The African influence is far greater than in Central America. Besides Catholicism and Protestantism, there is an element of African religion in Santeria (Voodoo in Haiti). Rastafarianism is based in Jamaica Spanish is the widest spoken language in the Caribbean, but French, English, Dutch and Danish are also spoken, with Patois such as Papamiento, Creole, Garifuna, etc. How does Central American Culture differ from Caribbean Culture?

Economics: Job and People A “developing” region Caribbean cash crops Chiquita, Dole and MJB Panama Canal Rural Central America Crowded Islands Most people are poor; the reach of the first influx of wealth through sugar trade was neither deep nor long lasting. Most early wealth came solely from export of raw materials. Caribbean Cash crops: Sugar, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee and spices. Plantation pay is low and as a result most in the region are poor Central America also relies on cash crop agriculture: Bananas and Coffee (10% of world trade in each). Mines and forests also provide resources for export. Ships from both hemispheres use the Panama Canal, making it an important cross roads of world trade. Although both regions have between 30 & 40 million people, population patterns in Central America are more rural because most people work on farms. The islands are densely populated. Cities have invited people because of job opportunities, but not all benefit and many live in slums in the larger cities What product do you consume that come from this region?

Popular Culture, Tourism, and Jobs Music Calypso Reggae Afro-cuban Tourism Informal Economy Calypso music began in Trinidad, combining musical elements from Africa, Spain and the Caribbean, and is characterized by Steel drums, guitars and improvised lyrics. Reggae developed in Jamaica in the 1960s, with its blend of US R&B, Calypso and was popularized by Bob Marley of the Wailers. Music contributes to tourism. Afro-Cuban is another style of music that originated in Cuba and Spread to the USA. (Mambo, Salsa, etc. Because of rapid population growth in Caribbean cities and the resulting high unemployment, there is an increasing emphasis on schools to train students for jobs in agriculture and tourism. Tourism is increasingly important. Jobshotels, restaurants, resorts, guides, and assistants on fishing, snorkeling, hiking trips, etc. Some find work in the informal economy: Street vending, shining shoes and other oddjobs. Can you list other musical styles or artists from Central America and the Caribbean?

4. Which of these was not a colonial power in the region. a 4. Which of these was not a colonial power in the region? a. the United Kingdom b. France c. Germany d. the Netherlands

5. A man, a plan, a canal… a. Colombia! b. Nicaragua! c. Panama! d. Viva Mexico!

6. Which of these kinds f music is not identified with the Caribbean? a. Polka b. Reggae c. Salsa d. Calypso