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History of Latin America: Ancient Civilizations and European Colonization

Explore the rich history of Latin America, from the magnificent Inca Empire in the Andes to the advanced Maya civilization in Central America and the powerful Aztec civilization in Mexico. Learn about their economies, achievements, and the lasting impact of European colonization.

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History of Latin America: Ancient Civilizations and European Colonization

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  1. History of Latin America: Ancient Civilizations and European Colonization

  2. Inca Civilizations • At the height of its existence the Inca Empire was the largest nation on Earth • Largest native state to have existed in the western hemisphere • Located in the Andes Mountains – from Ecuador to Chile

  3. Based primarily on farming Terrace farming made agriculture in the Andes possible Very skilled artisans Inca Economy

  4. Ruins at Machu Picchu show terracing Photos by Linda Hammon

  5. Accomplishments • Advanced road system • Astronomy • Highly organized government • Irrigation systems • System of language • Domesticated the llama and alpaca

  6. Maya Civilization • Located in Central America and southern Mexico

  7. Economy • Based on trade and agriculture

  8. Accomplishments • Architecture – step pyramid • Fully developed written language (hieroglyphs) • Astronomy & Mathematics (calendar)

  9. Aztec Civilization • Located in Central and Southern Mexico

  10. Economy • Based on agriculture, fishing, and trade • Capital city Tenochtitlan was built on an island in the middle of a lake – Now the center of modern Mexico City

  11. Accomplishments • Credited for the discovery of chocolate • Cacao beans acquired through trade • Advanced political system

  12. Colonization • Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Split newly discovered territory between Spain & Portugal at about 22 degrees west What was given to Portugal? • By the end of the 16th century, LA colonized – mostly along the coastlines

  13. European Exploration • “God, Gold, and Glory” were motivations • Missionaries converted natives to Catholicism • Worked natives as slaves (& imported Africans) to harvest natural resources • Columbian Exchange • Diseases wiped out many of the indigenous • Intermixing races was common • European colonists + indigenous = mestizo • African + indigenous = mulatto

  14. Lasting impact of colonization • Languages – Spanish & Portuguese • Most Latin Americans are Christians, mostly Roman Catholic • Economy still oriented toward export • Black & mulatto populations (Haiti, Brazil, & the Dominican Republic) • Mestizo populations (Mexico & El Salvador) • Culture is a mix of European & native customs, an example of…?

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