Latin America History From Early Empires to Spanish Conquest

Early Civilizations History of Latin America – early civilizations Olmec ( B.C.E.) Southern Mexican coastal areas, mother culture of C.A. Mayans ( A.D.) Southern Mexico, Guatemala; developed calendar, concept of zero Aztec (1300 – 1525 C.E.) Central Mexico; Tenochtitlan; huge cities served as markets for maize Inca (1300 – 1533) Andes from Ecuador to Chile; terrace farming, built roads, earthquake resistant buildings, spoke Quecha

Olmec

Mayan and Aztec

Inca

Mayan Ruins

Tenochtitlan – Aztec Capital

Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan – Aztec Capital

Aztec Sacrifice

Machu Picchu - Peru

Europeans Arrive Columbus arrives in 1492 Why? What was he really looking for? 1494 – Treaty of Tordesillas divides L.A. between Spain and Portugal. Pedro Cabral was blown off course Spanish defeat native empires Hernando Cortez – methods: 1. deception 2. help from conquered tribes 3. fear factor 4. disease Francisco Pizarro – 1. deception 2. capture emperor 3. lie 4. disease

What kind of impact does Columbus’ “discovery” have on Latin America? A. Spanish Conquest 1. Aztec – conquered by Hernando Cortez Difficult area to rule – dispersed tribes Harsh treatment of subject peoples Superior weaponry of Spanish conquistadors Disease – smallpox and measles 2. Inca – conquered by Fransisco Pizzaro Difficult area to rule – had to be organized and efficient Understanding of politics

What kind of impact does Columbus’ “discovery” have on Latin America? B. Culture – Central and South America adopt Spanish and Portuguese Culture 1. Language 2. Christianity – Jesuit and Dominican missionaries 3. Peninsulares, Creoles, Mestizos, Mulattoes

What kind of impact does Columbus’ “discovery” have on Latin America? C. Slavery and European Rule 1. – 95% of slaves from Africa are brought to Latin America 2. Ecomiendas - Economic system develops based on Spanish landowners and native workers

Countries Gain Independence Spain grows wealthy due to gold from mountainous regions, Aztec, Inca – becomes most powerful nation in Europe Lose power because they do not industrialize like England and France 1776 – American revolution inspire Latin Americans to resist Spanish rule

Haiti 1802 – Toussaint L’Ouverture leads enslaved Africans in revolt over their French slaveowners Becomes first black colony to free itself from European rule

Spanish Colonies Napoleon’s conquest of Spain leads to revolt – led by Creoles (educated) Simon Bolivar helps Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador gain independence – Bolivar and Jose de San Martin join forces to liberate Argentina, Chile and Peru Bolivar – becomes known as the George Washington of Latin America

European Colonialism Europeans used slaves to develop plantation colonies and mining projects. Natives used first, the native population is devastated by disease and slavery Africans needed to fill void – used to hot climates, also less susceptible to European diseases Triangular trade impacts Latin America Jesuits and Dominicans came as missionaries spreading Catholicism

Ethnic Diversity Ethnic Diversity (3 major original groups) Native Americans (Aztecs, Mayans, Incas) European Settlers (esp. Spanish & Portuguese) African Slaves mestizos - mixed native American and European descent mulattoes - mixed African and European descent

Colonial Social Classes Peninsulares – came from Spain or Portugal, had wealth, land and title; held the power positions Creoles – Europeans born in the new world; eventually fought to gain wealth and power Mestizos – usually not granted rights and privileges of upper classes Native Americans – used as servants, laborers or slaves Africans (Zambos) – even less rights/privileges than Natives

Latin American Independence Most countries gained independence in the early 1800’s as Spain and Portugal became weak. Creoles are instrumental in fighting the system which kept them from having power or status Toussaint L’Ouverture (Haiti) Simon Bolivar (Columbia) Independence came later for the Caribbean Islands