Mexican Heritage Culture Project Name:Period: 5 Ethnic group Religion Art Holidays

 Before European explorers came to the Americas, 3 empires flourished in what we now call Latin America  Maya  Inca  Aztecs I. Ethnic Group

Aztec Empire

 Arose in 1300s AD in Central Mexico  Capital was Tenochtitlan on island in lake (today Mexico City)  Developed class system, emperor & military leaders ruled  Farming: corn, tomatoes, cacao beans “food of the gods” (chocolate!)  Spanish slaughtered Aztecs The Aztec

Aztec Calendar

Mexican Coat of Arms

 Europeans explored the Americas & colonized much of it  Spain & Portugal first  Britain, France, Netherlands later  “Conquistadors” (conquerors) destroyed Aztec (Hernan Cortes) & converted them to Catholicism  Spain took over the most territory II. Religion -- Catholic

 European missionaries converted (forced?) Native Americans to Catholicism  Catholic is main religion in Latin America today  Taught European languages  Spanish & Portuguese are main languages throughout Latin America  Some English & French  Set up schools & hospitals  Over 80 percent of Mexicans are Catholic Religion

National Cathedral in Mexico City

III. Art: Murals have been a communication tool for communities for thousands of years. In his murals, Diego Rivera, primarily depicts the historical perspective of the Mexican people. In the 1930’s, Rivera began creating murals on the walls of hospitals, schools, and government buildings in his native land. He did this so all people could enjoy his art- work. Diego Rivera was a storyteller and used his murals to tell the story of Mexico.

IV. Holidays: Christmas

Day of the Dead  November 2nd is the official date for Day of the Dead, although it is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd. These dates correspond with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. This correspondence results from the Catholic Church's efforts to "find similarities between the indigenous and Christian beliefs The best way to describe this holiday is to say it is a time when family members who have died are remembered. In Mexico, this festival is considered to be the most important holiday of the year. 

The End