Bellwork: Explain each series of pictures

Bellwork: Nov. 29 Read textbook page 171 “Natural Resources” Label the resources as “Renewable” or “Nonrenewable”

History of Mexico and Central America  Our study of the history of Mexico and Central America falls into 4 time periods: 1.Indigenous people and their civilizations 2.Conquistadors conquer and Spanish rule 3.Independence and struggles with the US 4.Impact of history on today’s culture

Page 3: History  Divide page 3 into 4 parts: Indigenous civilizations Spanish Rule Mexico’s struggles with US Impact on culture

Indigenous people  Olmec civilization –Lived in small villages near water sources  Mayan civilization –Built huge cities and pyramids –Developed detailed calendar **Mysteriously abandoned cities  Aztec civilization –Created huge city from swampy lake: Tenochtitlan –Settled there for water source, good climate, and protection from enemies

FOR 650 YEARS, THEY BUILT GREAT TEMPLES TO WORSHIP THEIR GODS  CREATING HUGE BUILDINGS LIKE THESE AND MORE ADVANCED CALENDARS THAN THE EUROPEANS WOULD HAVE FOR ALMOST 1,000 YEARS.  The Maya also created the concept of zero. Mathematicians consider this one of the world’s greatest achievements.

IT’S AMAZING HOW THEY COULD CREATE THESE HUGES BUILDINGS WITH THE TECHNOLOGY OF SO LONG AGO.

THESE ARE STRUCTURES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THEIR GREAT CITIES.

THESE GREAT MAYAN CITIES HAD OVER 10,000 STRUCTURES IN THEM.  THESE STRUCTURES RANGED FROM HUGE TEMPLES TO INDIVIDUAL HOUSES WITH THATCHED ROOFS.  THE CITIES HAD OVER 60,000 PEOPLE IN THEM. THAT IS MUCH BIGGER THAN OTHER KNOWN CITIES AROUND THE WORLD AT THAT TIME.  Two of these cities were Copan and Tikal.

THE CITIES HAD SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT TOO  MOST OF THESE CITIES WERE EQUIPPED WITH A COURT MUCH LIKE OUR BASKETBALL COURT.  THE GAME THEY PLAYED WAS CALLED POK-A-TOK.

THE AZTECS

 ABOUT 200 YEARS AFTER THE MAYAN DISAPPEARANCE, IN ~1100, THE AZTECS ARRIVED IN CENTRAL MEXICO.  THEY WANDERED FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED YEARS UNTIL FINALLY TURNING A SWAMPY LAKE INTO A GREAT CITY: TENOCHTITLAN.  IT IS LOCATED WHERE MEXICO CITY IS TODAY.

Spanish Rule  Read pg. 174 and view Brainpop “Conquistadors.”  In the box, illustrate a picture explaining Hernan Cortes conquering the area of Mexico.  Cortes conquers Aztecs and Spain rules Mexico/Central America for 300 years.

Bellwork: What is this saying? 1.

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Struggles with the US  Read pg. 175 about the struggles with the US and view the Brainpop.  Illustrate Texas and the Southwest US leaving Mexico and joining the US.  Texas and the Southwest US were once a part of Mexico.

History’s Impact on Culture  Illustrate Spain and indigenous cultures impact Mexican culture.  Mexico’s culture is influenced by Spain and its indigenous people.  Most people speak Spanish and practice Christianity (Roman Catholic)

Video summary  View “Case Studies: Mexico” good video for history.

Mexico’s Government  Page 5 of Burrito Book  Page 178 in textbook  Canada –Prime Minister Stephen Harper  United States –President Barack Obama  Mexico –President Felipe Calderon