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
Aztec Calendar
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
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