Introduction to Latin America p. 204-217

Historical Overview Thousands of years ago, people migrated to the Americas. Some organized complex societies and developed agriculture. What’s the connection?

Mayans in Cancun

Mayan Numerals

Mayan Acropolis

Mayan kids

Mayan parenting The Maya desired some unnatural physical characteristics for their children. For instance, at a very young age boards were pressed on babies' foreheads to create a flattened surface. This process was widespread among the upper class.

Mayan Civilization Another practice was to cross babies' eyes. To do this, objects were dangled in front of a newborn’s eyes, until the newborn’s eyes were completely and permanently crossed.

The Mayan Civilization The Maya peoples survived the Classic period collapse and the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores and sixteenth-century Spanish colonization of the Americas. Today, the Maya and their descendants form sizable populations throughout the Maya area

Mayan Civilization First known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems.

The Aztec Empire 1300s to 1500s Tentochitlan (Mexico City) Moctezuma- Aztec king Hernan’ Cortes- Spanish Conquistador Engaged in human sacrifice Spaniards become unwelcome guests, destroyed the capital city

Tentochitlan back then

Storming of Tentochitlan

Tentochitlan today

Aztecs Smallpox and Spanish conquest destroyed the civilization

Incas 1438-1533 Centered in Peru Machu Picchu- emperor’s estate Incans chewed coca leaves for energy (coca cola) Last ruler, named Tupac, was executed by Spanish Conquistadors

New Cultures Christopher Columbus landed in the West Indies in 1492. Spanish conquistadors, or Spanish conqueror explorers came to Latin America from Spain. Most of Latin America came under control of Spain and Portugal. Enslaved Africans brought to work on plantations in the Americas.

New Cultures, cont.. This cultural convergence, or merging of cultures led to a new culture that combined Native, European, and African traditions. Europeans developed a colonial class structure, with them at the top in Latin America.

Map Activity p.205 and 207 Draw and Label your own political and physical map of Latin America. Label the countries, major cities, mountains, and rivers.

Independent Republics In the late 1700’s to early 1800s, Latin America fought for independence from Spain and Portugal. Portugal- Brazil Spain- most other countries (except Belize)

Independent Republics Toussaint L’Ouverture, a self educated former slave, led the revolt against the French in Haiti. Simon Bolivar led a revolt in Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

L’ouverture

Bolivar

Independent Republics Just because a country is independent, doesn’t mean democracy is the result. Think about the U.S. Colonial class structure still remained in effect, after Europe let go of power. People still stayed there to rule

Latin American Economies Latin American economies relied on cash crops and trade with Europe. If crop failure occurred, the economy crashed. Local military rulers called caudillos would then take over a country with a failed economy.

Struggles for Reform Mexicans led rebellion against Mexican Dictator Porfirio Diaz, whose brutal rule left most Mexicans poor and landless during the early 1900’s. 1917 Constitution- led to land reform and workers rights

Struggles for Reform, cont. A Cuban Revolution occurred in 1959, leading to Communist rule by Fidel Castro. Military rule in Latin America began to decline in the 1980’s and 1990’s, giving rise to democracy.

Economic Gains Latin Americans worked to reduce their dependence on a single crop. Promoted industry, eased debt (which helped their economy). Reduced foreign control of business (Latin American control meant more money going to the continent.)

Physical Characteristics, p. 206 Pampas, cays, and Coral Andes Moutains Amazon Lowlands Tectonic Plate Collisions