WARRIORS-CONQUISTADORS-FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Latin America

Aztec Review

The Aztec empire was located in central and southern Mexico. The Aztecs were the most powerful civilization at the time of European exploration.

Capital-Tenochtitlan. Modern day Mexico City.

The Aztecs were known for their warriors, human sacrifice, artwork and clan social structure.

In 1521, the Aztecs were conquered by the Spanish, led by Cortes.

Hernan Cortes—Conquistador

•Born in 1485 in Spain

•At 19, he sailed to the Americas to live and learn how colonies were run. He became mayor of a town in Cuba.

•In 1518, he was told to go to Mexico to defeat the Aztecs. Upon getting there, other native groups joined them.

•He was welcomed by the Aztec Leader, Montezuma II, so the Aztec defeat started easier than they had planned.

Montezuma II—Aztec Ruler

Aztec ruler from 1500 to 1520. Considered the greatest Aztec ruler.

Expanded the empire—forced conquered tribes to pay the empire high taxes and give their people for human sacrifices.

He thought Cortez was a god-like being and welcomed him with gifts and gold.

Cortez took him hostage and ruled his empire. In 1520, the Spanish and Aztecs fought and Montezuma was killed.

The Spanish destroyed Tenochtitlan and built Mexico City. For the next 300 years, Mexico was under Spanish control.

Inca Review – Incan Empire

Began in the early 1400’s.

Stretched over 2000 miles in western South America.

Known for wealth, textiles, roads, terrace farming, mathematics and accounting.

Spanish wiped out much of the culture, but the language (Quechua), farming techniques, and textile making remain a part of the local culture.

Francisco Pizarro

Born in Spain in 1475 Pig farmer as a boy In 1502 went to

Hispaniola and learned about exploring and conquering

In 1523, he led a voyage to the west coast of South America, just south of Panama

Francisco Pizarro

He was told by Indian traders that there was a very rich country to the south.

In 1531, he became viceroy (governor) of the lands and took 3 ships, 200 men, and 3 dozen horses to conquer the Inca

Atahualpa—The Last Sapa IncaFought with his brother about who would control the empire.

The Sapa Inca (lnca leader) was thought to be a descendant of the sun god.

Atahualpa was tricked by the Spanish under Pizarro in 1532, and this event made for the last of the Inca empire.

The Last Encounter with the Inca A meeting was arranged between Pizarro

and Atahualpa. When Atahualpa approached, the

Spanish attacked – he was ambushed! Pizarro captured Atahualpa and

demanded ransom. He was executed in 1533 by Pizarro. This

was the end of the empire.

Spanish Settlements

Pizarro became wealthy and powerful. He founded Lima, Peru and built a palace. Other Spanish were jealous of his wealth.

In 1541, Pizarro was killed in an attack on his palace.

For the next 300 years, the Spanish continued to rule the land.

The Columbian Exchange

What is it? Named after Christopher Columbus. The exchange of animals, plants, people, and

diseases from the Old World to the New World and New World to Old World

New to Old: potatoes, tomatoes, corn, cacao bean Old to New: diseases, horses, wheat, coffee beans,

sugar cane How did it affect Latin America?

The goods brought from Europe changed farming—plantations and slave labor were started.

The indigenous (native) population was defeated because of disease.

Horses allowed further and faster travel and ideas and goods spread.

The Columbian Exchange

Slavery in Latin America

Because of the Columbian Exchange, Europeans in America needed cheap labor. Labor for mining the metals Labor for farming the plantations

Why weren’t the native people the slaves? The natives were dying or weakened from

disease, violence with the Europeans, and harsh conditions.

Many retreated to the mountains and jungles.

Slavery in Latin America

Brought from Africa by ship. Most brought to the tropical areas of Latin

America where plantations were large. Conditions were very similar to the

conditions that slaves in North America endured.

For 300 years slavery grew. As different countries gained freedom in

the 1800’s, slavery ended.

Descendants of Slaves

Many of the descendants of African slaves are part of the culture today.

Mulattoes - people with both African and European background. People with only African ancestors and

people with African and European ancestors make up a large part of the population in the tropics. Cuba-60%, Brazil-50%

Mestizos-A person with mixed Spanish and Native American background.

Influence on Language and Religion As the Spanish and Portuguese conquered

Latin America, they spread their language and religion.

Spanish Most of Central America Most of South America Caribbean Islands

Portuguese Brazil-because it is so large, almost as many

people in Latin America speak Portuguese as Spanish.

Influence on Language and Religion Important to note that these were the

official languages for government, business and power. However, many indigenous people still speak their native languages.

Others blended their native languages with European languages. For example, Haitians speak Haitian Creole-a blend of French and native African languages.

Influence on Language and Religion When the conquistadors and

settlers came to Latin America, they sent priests, friars, and monks to set up missions.

Some native groups were forced to say they were Christian, others mixed Christianity and their traditional beliefs.

A Desire for Freedom

The governments of Spain and Portugal ruled most of Latin America for nearly 300 years. At times the people being ruled by the Europeans got restless. The American Revolution in 1776 gave some in Latin American the idea that they too could be free. In 1789, the French Revolution showed that the kings of Europe could be beaten. These events encouraged Latin Americans in the belief that they might be able to overcome their European rulers.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Born a slave in the mid-1700’s.

Father had been a free African who was captured and sold into slavery.

Plantation owner allowed him to learn to read and write.

In 1789 the French Revolution occurred and the new French government granted freedom to slaves in Haiti, but then they took back the freedom.

Toussaint was furious and led a slave army to defeat the French troops and win freedom for slaves.

1793- French government abolished slavery. Toussaint led his men against invading British and Spanish troops.

He became in charge of Saint Dominique (Haiti) even though it was a French colony.

1802-Napolean, the French emperor, sent troops to regain control. Toussaint was captured and sent to France where he died.

By 1804, Haiti gained independence.

Toussaint L’Ouverture (“Opening”)

Simon Bolivar (“The Liberator”) Born in 1783 into a

wealthy family in Caracas (Venezuela)

Organized armies and gained independence from Spain for: Bolivia (named after Bolivar) Colombia Ecuador Panama Peru Venezuela

Miguel Hidalgo (“Father”)

Known as the Father of Mexican independence

Born in 1753 Had a good

education Worked among the

native people and peasants and did not like how they were treated

Miguel Hidalgo

He was a priest who led a peasant army against the Spanish army in Mexico.

He was captured and executed by Spanish soldiers in 1811, but the war for independence continued.

In 1821, Spain withdrew the last of its troops and Mexico was independent.