1. Chapter 10
A Blending of Cultures

2. Mexico: Colonialism and Independence
Spanish Conquest
The native way of life was destroyed
In 1519, Hernando Cortes marched into Tenochtitlan or present day Mexico City and conquered the Aztec people living there
Mexico became part of the Spanish Empire
Independence from Spain
Achieved independence from Spain under Agustin de Iturbide in 1821.

3. Colonialism and Independence
Pre-Mexican Revolution
Land continues to be unequally distributed
A few rich landowners owned haciendas (estates or ranches ) which were worked by peasants
Corrupt Politicians ruled until the Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
Occurred in 1917, led by Pancho Villa
A new constitution was adopted and nearly half of Mexico’s farmland was redistributed to peasants

4. Colonialism and Independence
One-Party Rule - Institutional Revolutionary Party arose in 1929
Introduced Democracy
Made some reforms and continued redistributing land to peasants
Fraud and corruption undermined the Democratic process
National Action Party
In 2000, Vicente Fox was elected president
1st time in 71 years, the PRI did not control Mexico’s congress or presidency

5. A Meeting of Cultures The Aztecs The Spanish
The Aztec Empire in the Valley of Mexico
Arrived in the valley around A.D. 1200
Tenochtitlan was capital where they practiced human sacrifice in their temples
The Spanish
Cortes destroyed most of Tenochtitlan and Spaniards built Mexico City on top of the ruins
Ancient Aztec ruins and relics keep turning up as modern projects in Mexico City are built

6. A Meeting of Cultures Spanish & Native American Culture
Spain brought its language and religion to this region creating a majority Catholic population
Spanish elements, such as architecture, blended with native elements
Native heritage remains strong
There is a large mestizo population ( the mixing of Spanish & Native American heritage )
Painters, like some architects, blended Native American and Spanish influences

7. Economics: Cities and Factories
Two Economic Challenges
Closing a long-standing gap between the rich and poor
Developing a modern industrial economy
Population and the Cities
Populations are increasing as citizens are moving into cities for job opportunities

8. Economics: Cities and Factories
Oil
Oil reserves along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico
Oil industry is an important part of developing its industrial economy
Profits have helped develop manufacturing industries
Manufacturing
Most new factories are located in the North
Maquiladoras assemble imported materials into finished products for exporting
NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement

9. Mexican Life Today Emigration School
Many workers (thousands) leave Mexico and travel to the U.S. to find work
These emigrants send money back home to families
Major problem in Mexico
School
About 85% of school-age children attend school
Education is a necessity for finding good jobs
Gov’t is trying to improve education to improve their populations way of life

10. Mexican Life Today Jobs Cities
Most jobs in Mexico today are found in Maquiladoras or factories
Cities
Many people are moving into the cities to find better employment opportunities

11. Central America and the Caribbean
Central America – Land Bridge between North and South America
Native people include Mayas and Aztecs
Spanish settlers and people from Africa have influenced the culture
Spain and Britian were colonial powers
Catholicism was major religion
Spanish is main language

12. Central America and the Caribbean
Native people were the Taino
Africans, Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish groups have all influenced the culture of this region
Colonial powers included Spain, Britain, France, Netherlands, and Denmark
Major religions include Catholicism, Protestantism, Santeria, Voodoo, and Rastafarianism
Major languages include Spanish, French, English, Dutch, and Danish

13. Native and Colonial Central America
Central America – A Cultural Hearth
A heartland or place of origin of a major culture
Mayan Influence
Civilization stretched from southern Mexico into northern Central America
Built many cities with temples and palaces
Tikal, northern Guatemala, considered the center of Mayan civilization

14. Native and Colonial Central America
The Spanish in Central America
Spain ruled Central America until the 19th Century
Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821
In 1823, Central America declared its independence from Spain and took the name “United Provinces of Central America”
By late 1830’s, United Provinces had split into separate nations
These nations became El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras
Later, Panama broke off from Colombia and became independent
Belize broke away from British Honduras

15. Native and Colonial Caribbean
Caribbean Influences
Columbus reached the Caribbean Islands in 1492
Inhabitants called themselves the Taino
Spanish settled some islands and established sugar plantations
After many natives died from diseases, African slaves were used as a replacement for forced labor
The result is Africans have a lasting influence on Caribbean life and culture

16. Native and Colonial Caribbean
Colonial Mosaic
Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish all claimed islands in the Caribbean
Wanted to profit from the sugar trade
Caribbean Independence
In the 1790’s, Toussaint L’Ouverture led a slave revolt in Haiti and took over the government
Haiti achieved independence from France by 1804
Cuba achieved independence from Spain in 1898
After U.S. occupation, the island became self governing in 1902.
Jamaica, Trinidad, & Tobago did not achieve full independence from Great Britain until 1962

17. Cultural Blends The Culture of Central America
Two distinct cultures – Native American & Spanish
Spanish Language, Catholic Religion, some Protestant Missionaries
Cut down forests, opened up land for grazing livestock, & new crops such as wheat
The Culture of the Caribbean
Residents of Islands are of European, African, & Native American ancestry
Religions, languages, village life, markets, & crops have all been influenced by these three groups

18. Economics: Jobs and People
Farming and Trade
Largest export crop is sugar cane
Other important crops are bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, & spices
Caribbean & Central American region are very poor
Panama Canal
Canal that cuts through Panama
Links the hemispheres
Makes Panama a crossroads for world trade

19. Popular Culture, Tourism, & Jobs
Music of the Caribbean
Calypso – Began in Trinidad & combines elements from Africa, Spain, and the U.S.
Reggae – Began in Jamaica, combines Caribbean, African, and U.S. influences, and often focuses on religion and social problems
Tourism and the Informal Economy
Tourism provides locals with jobs
Informal jobs include street vending, shining shoes, & other jobs which provide income

20. Spanish Speaking South America
History
Native people dominated, but their language, Quechua, remains
Many aspects of Spanish culture survive
Spanish Language
Catholic Religion
Independence Movements brought liberation, but not ability to work together toward common goals
Government by the few characterize many countries of South America

21. Spanish Speaking South America
Economics
Subregion produces a wide variety of products
Oil is most important economic asset
Chile has been leader in economic success and cooperation in the region
Education
Most countries have high rates of education and literacy
Chile has an especially high rate of literacy

22. Conquest & the End of Spanish Rule
The Inca
Located in rugged Andes Mountains of Peru
Build an advanced civilization
By 1500, Inca empire stretched 2500 miles along west coast of South America
Ran from present-day Ecuador to Argentina
Empire was linked by 20,000 miles of road
The Spanish Conquest
Conquered by Pizarro and his soldiers
Primarily interested in Inca gold and silver

23. Climate and Vegetation
Climate Zones range from hot and humid Amazon River basin to dry and desert-like conditions of northern Mexico
2 million sq mi covered by Amazon rain forest
Savannas
Found in Brazil, Colombia, & Argentina

24. Human Environment Interaction
Terraced Farming- ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes
Slash and burn- trees, brush, and grasses cut and burned to clear fields.
Effective in humid and tropical areas
Amazon River basin

25. Human Environment Interaction
Argentina, Chile, Uruguay
3 most urbanized countries
People are moving from rural areas into cities
In search off jobs and a better life
Push/pull factors

26. Human Environment Interaction
Tourism
+ increased employment
+ more money introduced into local economy
- congestion
- pollution