1. South America History and Present Day
Objective 1: To summarize the history of South America.
Objective 2:To explain present day issues in South America.

2. History Most explorers looking for El Dorado
Spanish colonized most areas.
Other European nations got involved with the region. (ex. British in Guyana, Dutch in Suriname)
Millions of deaths of the Native population
Began importing slaves from Africa
Creation of the Mestizos

3. Colombian Exchange

4. Independence and Conflict
Simon Bolivar – leads many to independence from the Spanish.
Massive oil wealth in Venezuela but inequality amongst many.
Paramilitaries (def?) in many South American states. What current issues cause conflict in South America?

5. Present Day
Latin America – areas of the Americas influenced by the cultures of Spain, France, or Portugal.
Diverse cultures (influences from Africa, U.S., France, and even India!) and varied governments.
Environmental concerns – oil spills and leaks (Lake Maracaibo), deforestation, pesticide use)

6. Land Subsidence – sinking of the ground
Land Subsidence – sinking of the ground. Due to decades of draining underground oilfields.

8. Present Conflicts and Tensions
Ethnic tensions (Suriname conflict between ethnic Asians and Africans)
Colombia – civil war against insurgents who have been hiding in the mountains

9. Andes and the Pampas
Climate – El Niño and La Niña, the former causes heavy rains every few years.

10. Vertical Climate Zones
Near the Equator – climate is hot up to 4,900 feet. The higher you go, the cooler it gets.

12. Land Use

13. Geography and History
Andes are difficult to cross, causing isolation amongst members of society, today there are few east-west roads.
Fertile Pampas attracted settlement and helped create wealth in Argentina.
Hot lowlands forced people to settle in the Andes and in northern areas.

14. Incan Empire Largest empire in the Americas
Advanced society with paved roads and planned agriculture.
Conquered by Francisco Pizarro in What gave the Spanish an advantage? Have we seen this before?

16. Mercantilism

17. Present Day Issues and Economies
Logging and gold mining are damaging tropical forests.
Urban pollution.
Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are richest nations in the region. Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia are poorest

18. More diversified economies in the region.
Strengthening economic ties with one another.
MERCOSUR – free trade agreement signed by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. (Mercado Comun del Sur “Southern Common Market”)
Andean Community of Nations signed by Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement

20. Government Reforms
Referendum – allows voters to choose whether a new constitution or new laws are to be accepted
Ex. Chile’s return to democracy in 1990 was triggered by 1989 referendum and to amend (make changes) to the constitution.