History of Latin America

NativesEuropean Conquest

Independence

Native Empires

Before European explorers came to the Americas, 3 empires flourished in what we now call Latin America Maya Inca Aztecs

Mayan Civilization

The Maya 250 AD – 900 AD in Southern

Mexico & Northern Central America

Many cities Greatest = Tikal (Guatemala) Pyramid temples priests & nobles ruled ruins of over 40 found, many

are tourist attractions today Economy based on agriculture &

trade Contributions

Math, calendars, astronomy Glyphs: picture writing on

stones▪ Wrote their history &

honored gods

Mayan Pyramids

Aztec Empire

The Aztec Arose in 1300s AD in

Central Mexico Capital was Tenochtitlan

on island in lake (today Mexico City)

Developed class system, emperor & military leaders ruled

Farming: corn, tomatoes, cacao beans “food of the gods” (chocolate!)

Spanish slaughtered Aztecs

Human Sacrifice

Aztec Calendar

Drama Mask

Mexican Coat of Arms

Inca Empire Inca God

The IncaFrom Ecuador-Central Chile, same

time as AztecsCapital - Cuzco (Peru), Machu Picchu is a huge tourist

attraction todayBuilt enormous temples, fortresses,

roads into mountains Irrigation systemsMany killed by Spanish

European Conquest

Europeans explored the Americas & colonized much of it Spain & Portugal first Britain, France,

Netherlands later “Conquistadors”

(conquerors) destroyed Aztec (Hernan Cortes) & Inca (Francisco Pizarro)

Spain took over the most territory

Portugal settled in Brazil

“Changing” Culture European missionaries

converted (forced?) Native Americans to Catholicism Catholic is main religion

in Latin America today Taught European

languages Spanish & Portuguese

are main languages throughout Latin America

Some English & French Set up schools &

hospitals

Spanish Colonial SocietySee Chapter 8 Section 1 of World Civ

Book