1. SS6H2-3 Slavery Independence
SS6H2 The student will explain the development of Latin America and the Caribbean from European colonies to independent nations.
a. Describe the influence of African slavery on the development of the Americas.
b. Describe the influence of the Spanish and the Portuguese on the language and religions of Latin America.
c. Explain the Latin American independence movement; include the importance of Toussaint L’Ouverture, Simon Bolivar, and Miguel Hidalgo.

2. SS6H2a-African Slavery
Europeans who came to the Americas needed a large & cheap labor force to mine gold and silver and to grow sugar cane.
Most natives died from diseases, violence with Europeans, or harsh working conditions.
Europeans looked to Africa for labor.
Many African slaves died of disease or starvation.

3. SS6H2a-African Slavery
Slave labor helped to build many businesses in Latin America, but the wealth went back to Europe.
Countries started gaining freedom from Europe in the 1800s, ending slavery.
Mulattoes = African & European ancestors
60% Cubans & 50% Brazilians are Mulattoes

4. SS6H2b-Language & Religion
As the Spanish and Portuguese conquered the indigenous people, they spread their language and religion.
Spanish: Most of Central & South America and the Caribbean Islands
Portuguese: Brazil
Spanish or Portuguese = languages of government, business, and power
Native languages still spoken today

5. SS6H2b-Language & Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic
Spanish & Portuguese governments sent missionaries to New World to convert indigenous people to Christianity
Indigenous people often “said” they were practicing Catholicism, but continued to practice traditional beliefs
Some religions mixed with Catholic beliefs

6. SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Spain & Portugal ruled most of Latin America for nearly 300 years
American Revolution in 1776 & French Revolution in 1789 encouraged Latin American countries to seek freedom

7. SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Toussaint L’Ouverture
Famous black freedom fighter in Saint Domingue (present day Haiti)
Learned about freedom from his father
Plantation owner allowed him to read & write
L’Ouverture - nickname because he could find “openings” in the enemies’ lines

8. SS6H2c-Independence Movement
1789=French Revolution – granted freedom to blacks & mulattoes
1791=French gov’t changed its mind
Toussaint led slave army & defeated French troops
1793=French abolished slavery altogether so Toussaint fought against Spanish & British
Toussaint left in charge of Saint Domingue
1802=Toussaint was captured & imprisoned in France (where he died soon after)

9. SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Simon Bolivar
Known as “Liberator” and “George Washington of South America”
Helped win independence for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela between
Bolivia is named after him

10. SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Simon Bolivar
Born to wealthy family in Venezuela
Read books about freedom & lived through French Revolution
Became dictator & tried to create one large South American country named Gran Colombia
Died of tuberculosis in 1830

11. SS6H2c-Independence Movement
Miguel Hidalgo
Father of Mexican Independence, but he did not live to see independence
Priest who led peasant army against Spanish army in Mexico
1810-encouraged people to fight for freedom
1811-Tried for treason, found guilty, & executed
1821-Mexico won independence

12. SS6H3 The student will analyze important 20th century issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.
a. Explain the impact of the Cuban Revolution.
b. Explain the impact and political outcomes of the Zapatista guerrilla movement in Mexico.

13. SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
Prior to 1950’s
Americans traded with Cuba, owned land in Cuba, & bought Cuba’s sugar cane crop
Late 1950’s
Batista made himself dictator, Cubans were not happy (poverty, education, healthcare)
1959= Fidel Castro led rebels against Batista & won. He ruled nearly 50 years.

14. SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro
Organized communist government
All farms, factories, & businesses owned by Cubans became government property
All property belonging to Americans now belonged to government
Arrested Batista supporters - most went before firing squad, others to prison
Newspapers, radio & TV were shut down
Churches closed & property went to gov’t

15. SS6H3a-Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro
Hospitals & schools were improved
Women & blacks were better educated & had better jobs
Everyone was guaranteed a wage (very low)
Christians were discriminated against
Cuba became one of poorest & least free countries in the region