History of Indigenous in History of Indigenous in Latin AmericaLatin America

Nicki SmithNicki Smith

Michon McBrideMichon McBride

Main Indigenous GroupsMain Indigenous Groups

AztecAztec

MayaMaya

IncaInca

AztecsAztecs

Capital City of Tenochtitlan in Central Capital City of Tenochtitlan in Central MexicoMexico

Known for graphic ritual sacrificesKnown for graphic ritual sacrifices Most dominant groupMost dominant group Montezuma was last kingMontezuma was last king Conquered in 1521 by CortesConquered in 1521 by Cortes

Under siege Under siege Smallpox epidemicSmallpox epidemic

Aztec CultureAztec Culture

Language of N’ahuatlLanguage of N’ahuatl Alphabet of picturesAlphabet of pictures

Music/DanceMusic/Dance Closely linked to religionClosely linked to religion Polytheism (Quetzacoatl)Polytheism (Quetzacoatl)

ArtArt Stoneworkers, scribes, feather workers Stoneworkers, scribes, feather workers

Aztec ArchitectureAztec Architecture Capital City of TenochtitlanCapital City of Tenochtitlan

On Island with Causeways On Island with Causeways Mexico City was built on top of the ruinsMexico City was built on top of the ruins

MayaMaya

Yucutan Peninsula regionYucutan Peninsula region Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El SalvadorBelize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador

Already in downfall before ConquestAlready in downfall before Conquest Soil exhaustionSoil exhaustion Peasant revoltsPeasant revolts

North was stronger than the SouthNorth was stronger than the South No unity; Spaniards easily defeated themNo unity; Spaniards easily defeated them

Mayan CultureMayan Culture Mayan calenderMayan calender

Heightened understanding of math/timeHeightened understanding of math/time Cyclical calender; understanding of astronomyCyclical calender; understanding of astronomy Understood concept of zeroUnderstood concept of zero

RecordsRecords Hieroglyphics in deerskin booksHieroglyphics in deerskin books Sacred book of Popul Vuh written post Sacred book of Popul Vuh written post

conquestconquest Oral history/ culture written downOral history/ culture written down

Mayan ArchitectureMayan Architecture

TikalTikal Ceremonial CenterCeremonial Center Located in GuatemalaLocated in Guatemala

IncaInca

Located on W. strip of South AmericaLocated on W. strip of South America Most of fighting in conquest took place in PeruMost of fighting in conquest took place in Peru Valley of Cuzco in Peru was centerValley of Cuzco in Peru was center

Inca revolted most against ConquestInca revolted most against Conquest Manco Inca organized rebellionManco Inca organized rebellion

Francisco Pizarro Francisco Pizarro Arrived 1532Arrived 1532 Finally defeated Incans in 1540’sFinally defeated Incans in 1540’s

Incan CultureIncan Culture

No written language; oral traditionNo written language; oral tradition No formal mathematics systemNo formal mathematics system Built temples and palacesBuilt temples and palaces

10,000 miles of road10,000 miles of road ArtArt

Jewelry and StatuettesJewelry and Statuettes• Religious purposesReligious purposes

Incan ArchitectureIncan Architecture Machu PicchuMachu Picchu

Sacred templeSacred temple Religious retreatReligious retreat Never conqueredNever conquered

By Spanish b/cBy Spanish b/c

They neverThey never

Found it.Found it.

--Located in--Located in

Andes in PeruAndes in Peru

GeneralGeneral

Holy InquisitionHoly Inquisition European Friars tortured Indians into European Friars tortured Indians into

accepting Christian Godaccepting Christian God A lot of transculturationA lot of transculturation

RaceRace Extensive racial mixingExtensive racial mixing Resulted in mestizos, mulattos, and the creole Resulted in mestizos, mulattos, and the creole

classclass Determined social classDetermined social class

SourcesSources

http://lanic.utexas.edu/la/region/indigenous/http://lanic.utexas.edu/la/region/indigenous/ http://www.crystalinks.com/incan.htmlhttp://www.crystalinks.com/incan.html http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/aztec.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/10098/aztec.htm Personal notes: History 141: Colonial Latin American Personal notes: History 141: Colonial Latin American

History (F 2005)History (F 2005)