introduction to latin america p. 204-207. historical overview thousands of years ago, people...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Latin America
p. 204-207
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