Culture, History, and Government

Early History  Most researchers believe the first people in South America entered around 12,000 years ago.  The first settlers were hunter-gathers.  Farming began there 5,000 years ago

The Incas  The Inca founded South America’s great early civilization.  The Inca Empire stretched from Ecuador to Chile.  They built paved roads, suspension bridges, stone buildings and terraced fields.  They were taken over by Francisco Pizarro and the Spanish in the 1530”s

Colonization and Settlement  The Portuguese and the Spanish both claimed control of South America.  After peace talks Spain agree to take the west side of the continent, and the Portuguese took the east.  The Spanish settle on the west side of the continent because that is where the Inca had been  The Spanish established many land estates and forced the Indians to work them.  This was the same for Portuguese  The Europeans also brought disease that leave only a fraction of the native population alive.

Question?  Why did the Spanish want to colonize the western side of South America?  What consequence/event happened because of the diseases that killed the native population?

What the Spanish take  The Spanish begin latifundias which were large estates.  They get the Guarani Indians to help them with ideas and work/labor to make the settlements grow.

Portuguese Settlements  The Portuguese begin their settlements along the east side of South America.  They begin plantations to grow brazil wood and sugarcane.  After the Indians die from disease, many plantation owners brought over enslaved Africans to work.  As Portuguese settlements move inward it lead to mineral discoveries.  Major settlements were development like Sao Paolo and Rio de Janiero because of the wealth the colony was making.

Colonial Era and Independence  Most South American countries gained their independence between 1810 and  The countries became isolated and different.  The borders of the countries followed the colonial lines.  Uruguay was formed when land between Argentina and Brazil was formally divided.  Uruguay is a buffer state.

 Brazil gained its independence shortly after the Spanish colonies.  The British and Dutch Guianas only recently received their independence.  Independence did little to help South America.

Governments Today  Independence did little to help South American governments.  Most still experience revolutions.  Several countries are ruled by dictators.  The rest are considered democracies.

Economy  Venezuela is a large oil producing country because of this is belongs to a special organization.  OPEC- Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries  Argentina also relies heavy on on its natural resources what do you think they produce a lot of?

Language and People  Languages in South America are primarily determined by who settled the country. Most of the western side speaks Spanish, and Brazil speaks Portuguese.  On the border of Uruguay and Brazil, a language called Portunol is spoken. A mix of Portuguese and Spanish.  The people of very different ethnicities.

Settlement Patterns  Most of South America’s population lies on the coasts and stretches a few hundred miles inland.  Many cities are seaports and those in the west are high in a Andes.  The interior of South America is not very populated.

Religion  Like most Spanish colonial areas South America’s major religion is Rome Catholic.  Portugal also pushed Catholicism on there colonies.  However there are Hindu temples and many native religions are still practiced

Traditions  Some rainforest people have little contact with the outside world.  They raise bananas, manoic, yams, and other crops.  They hunt with bows, and dart guns.  Many are ranchers called gauchos.