1. Colonization & Independence
Latin America
Colonization & Independence

2. Aztec Empire Recap
1200s
Tribe of hunters/farmers who migrated to southern Mexico.
Major accomplishments
Mathematical & Calendar systems to maintain/organize their empire
Farming system was very efficient - Chinampas
1521
Cortes defeats Montezuma (emperor) and the Aztecs
Why were the Spanish able to defeat the Aztecs so easily?
Superior weapons, European diseases, Aztec enemies helped the Spanish

3. Inca Empire Recap
1200 AD
Inca settle along the Pacific Coast of S. America
Accomplishments include: roads, terracing, aqueducts
1533 AD
Francisco Pizarro defeats the Atahualpa & the Inca
Forces the Inca to work on the encomiendas
Spanish mission system
Natives die from starvation, European disease, overwork

4. Colonial Influence European Colonization 1494 AD
Spain wealthy enough to pay for exploration
Gold, God, Glory
1494 AD
Treaty of Tordesillas signed
Signed between Spain and Portugal
Set the Line of Demarcation
Imaginary line at 50 degrees longitude.
Spain claimed land west of the line
Portugal claimed land east of the line
This is why Brazil speaks Portuguese

5. How was Latin America divided?
Spain divided the territory into 2 provinces
New Spain (Mexico/Central America)
Capital was Mexico City - Built on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlan.
Peru (South America)
Capital was Lima
Caribbean Islands were also colonized primarily by Spain . . .
The Netherlands (Dutch), France, England, and Denmark also colonized the Caribbean.
Came in search of wealth and natural resources

6. Was there a specific social structure in New Spain & Peru?
Yes!!!
Peninsulares
Spanish colonists directly from Spain
Criollos
Spanish colonists born in the colony whose ancestors were born in Spain
Mestizos
People of Native American and Spanish descent
Native Americans
Slaves didn’t even make it on the list
Do any other groups have a specific social structure?
Peninsulares
Criollos
Mestizos
Native Americans

7. Role of Native Americans
Native Americans were captured and forced into slavery on large plantations
Haciendas = large ranches or plantations
This was called the encomienda system.
Encomienda is a system of forced labor.
Natives worked in return for protection.
Native Americans were not good slaves
They knew the land and found escape relatively easy
However, many died from starvation, overwork & diseases.

8. Columbian Exchange 1500’s AD
Columbian exchange took place between the Americas and Europe.
Named after Christopher Columbus
Describes the exchange of crops, goods, animals and diseases between Europe and its colonies.
Goods taken to Europe
Potatoes, beans, maize (corn), squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers and chocolate
Goods taken to the Americas
Sugar cane, wheat, barley
Sheep, goats, pigs, cattle and horses
Horses had a great impact on the natives, especially how they conducted war
Negative impact in the Americas = European disease
Measles, influenza and smallpox

9. Triangular Trade Europe Manufactured Goods Manufactured Goods
Rum, Tobacco, Molasses & Cotton
Slaves & Ivory
“Middle Passage”
“The Americas”
West Indies
Africa
Slaves & Gold
Rum, Tobacco & Gunpowder

10. Impact of Columbian Exchange
3 major areas
Decline of indigenous populations
Natives lacked immunity to European diseases
Between 1492 and 1650, 80% of Native Americans died from European diseases.
Agricultural Change
New foods brought to Europe and Latin America
Introduction of the horse
Brought from Europe
Used for transportation and labor
Helped Native Americans hunt
Main form of transportation until the early 20th century

11. Slave Trade
1510 AD
First African slaves brought to the Caribbean & South America
Used to work on the sugar plantations and mine silver – required a HUGE & CHEAP workforce.
Europeans introduced sugar cane to the West Indies. They then sent it back to Europe to be used as a popular sweetener.
Coffee was also introduced as a popular crop that required additional workers.
The Brazilian coffee industry benefited greatly from the introduction of slavery.

12. Slave Trade Natives were used as slaves first.
Many natives died from diseases such as the
measles, malaria, and small pox. (50-75%)
They also escaped easily. . . WHY?
Europeans replaced the native slaves (who had died)
with Africans as slaves over time.
WHY???
Highly skilled farmers and metal workers
Could handle the hot climate
Could not escape as easily
More immune to disease
African slaves also experienced horrible conditions similar to those of the natives.

13. Slave Trade
African slavery was extremely important in the development of South America & the Caribbean for the next 300 years.
As the industries that required slaves grew So did the number of slaves.
Slaves were required in order to help the plantations be successful.
Brazil imported more slaves than any other country in the world.
In the 1700’s, sugarcane production in Jamaica and modern Haiti surpassed Brazil.
The Caribbean islands became VERY important to their colonial powers. WHY?
9 out of 10 inhabitants in the Caribbean were slaves
As the colonies gained their independence, so did the slaves.
Most Caribbean people today are descendants from African slaves.
This continues to blend the ethnic groups within Latin America.

14. What was the Spanish Mission system?
System for Spain to defend its empire’s borders against other empires, such as Portugal, France, and Britain.
Under this system . . .
Priests were to manage the haciendas and convert natives to Christianity.
Spread of the Spanish language and culture throughout Latin America.
Some natives converted quickly Others rebelled against the Spanish.
Economically, the mission system was only successful in Mexico, but not in other parts of Latin America.

15. Impact of Colonization TODAY
People and culture of Latin America are a blend of native and European customs.
Language
Major factor that links all the countries together and makes it a cultural region.
Spanish is the predominate language WHY?
Because most of the countries were established by Spain
Brazil speaks Portuguese WHY?
Some indigenous languages still exist in isolated areas
How do you think early setters and natives communicated with each other?
Ethnic Groups – started to blend together.
Mestizos – Native American and European
Mulattos – Africans and Europeans
Religion
Major religion is Catholicism – brought by the Europeans
Replaced the practice of idol worship and human sacrifice

16. Independence Movements
Haiti, Mexico & South America

17. What world events influenced the Latin American independence movements?
Late 1700’s - American Revolution & French Revolution
Early 1800’s - Colonists in Latin America were tired of watching Spain and Portugal gain riches at their expense.
Became disgruntled & saw others in other countries rebel against monarchs and win!
Led by criollos, who were wealthy but had no political power because they had not been born in Spain

18. Caribbean Independence Movement - Haiti
Haiti was a French colony known as St. Domingue
The French brought African slaves to work on the HUGE sugar cane and coffee plantations
1789 – Slaves were given freedom after the French Revolution HOWEVER , in 1791 they changed their minds.
How would this make you feel?
In 1791, Haiti became the only country in the Americas to have a successful slave revolt – thousands of slaves
Tired of working long hours under terrible conditions.
Killed thousands of colonists and burned the land.
Toussaint L’Ouverture helped to banish slavery on the island. He was a former slave But educated.
1794 – the slaves were freed But now had to fight the Spanish and British who were trying to take over the island.

19. 1799- Toussaint controlled the country and named himself dictator for life.
Began to rebuild the country Set up a constitution, guaranteed decent wages, housing and medical care for the people.
French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was insulted by Toussaints’s declaration that he was dictator for life He sent the army to retake the colony.
Toussaint was captured and died in a French prison.
1803 – French gave up the island because many soldiers died from yellow fever
1804 – Gained their complete independence!
Haiti was the first Latin American country to break free from Imperialism.
However, they have lived under harsh dictators and are the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

20. Mexican Independence Movement
Spanish ruled Mexico
Early 1800’s
Many Mexican leaders began to call for
independence from Spain
Miguel Hidalgo:
A criollo priest (Catholic)
Why would the criollos be most likely to lead the revolution?
Led revolution movement in Mexico
He believed in social reform – change for the better in society
Slaves should be freed
Land held by Spain should be returned to Mexican farmers
Spain should stop taxing Mexican citizens so heavily

21. 1808 – France invaded Spain . . . Spain’s government was in distress
Father Hidalgo seized the moment!!!
Father Hidalgo gave a speech on September 16, 1810 known as the Grito de Dolores (“Cry of Dolores”)
(Mexico’s independence day is celebrated on the anniversary of this speech!)
He urged the Mexican people to rebel against Spanish rule
Led a small group of protestors to Mexico City By the time they arrived, the group had grown to 2,000 people. But they were NO match for the weapons of the government soldiers.
Formed an army of 80,000 but lost more battles than he won
Was captured and executed in 1811 for treason
Rebels continued fighting though – Hidalgo is known as the “Father of Mexican Independence”.
1821 – The last of the Spanish troops left Mexico.

22. Spanish Control in S. America
Spain
Ruled over most of S. America for 300 years
Spain grew enormously wealthy
Colonists wanted to share in the political and economic wealth – decided to fight for independence

23. South American Independence *HH
1804
Simon Bolivar – joins the independence movement
Venezuelan criollo
Traveled to Spain and was convinced that Venezuela should be free from Spain’s control.
1810
Bolivar fought for 15 years to liberate many countries in S. America.
Became president of the republic of Gran Colombia
Modern Day – Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador
Liberated Peru and Bolivia Added them to his republic.
Nicknamed El Libertador
Also nicknamed the “George Washington of S. America” because of his battle to free much of S. America from Spanish control.
Bolivia was named after him.
He died in 1830 from tuberculosis.

24. Spanish Colonies in South America
1808 – 1830 AD
Most countries gain their independence
1811 = Paraguay
1816 = Argentina
1818 = Chile
1819 = Colombia
1822 = Ecuador
1824 = Peru
1825 = Uruguay
1830 = Venezuela

25. Portuguese Colony in S. America
Portugal
Ruled over most of South America for 300 years
1822 AD
Brazil gained its Independence without a major fight.