Spanish & Portuguese Influence on Latin America

1. Spanish & Portuguese Influenceon Latin America SS6H2 The student will explain the development of Latin America and the Caribbean from European colonies to independent nations b. Describe the influence of the Spanish and the Portuguese on the language and religions of Latin America

2. Discovery of the Americas • Christopher Columbus was sponsored by Spain. • His mission: find a quick and safe route to Asia • Columbus never reached Asia; he landed in the Americas in 1492 and claimed the surrounding land for Spain.

3. Columbus’ First Landing

4. Spanish Colonization • Spanish explored, conquered, and settled areas of Florida, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. • also claimed many islands in the Caribbean • Today, most people in these areas speak Spanish.

6. Portuguese Colonization • Portugal claimed the land from the Atlantic Ocean across South America to the Andes Mountains. • It covered most of the vast Amazon River region, in what is now present-day Brazil. • Today, most people in this area (Brazil) speak Portuguese.

8. Cultural Diffusion • The Spanish and Portuguese spread their culture and religion across the region: • developed colonies that were similar to the ones in Europe • conquered the natives and forced them to learn Spanish and Portuguese and convert to Roman Catholicism

9. Languages in Latin America green-Spanish orange-Portuguese blue-French

11. Latin America Today • The term “Latin America” started in the 1800s. • It refers to the group of countries that spoke mostly languages based on the ancient Latin language. • Spanish and Portuguese are both derivatives of Latin. • The shared religion (Catholic), culture, & languages (Spanish & Portuguese) have united the region.

13. Quick Quiz • ____ 1. Spanish is the primary language of Latin America • ____ 2. Spanish is the official language of Brazil.

14. ____ 3. Very few people follow the Catholic religion in Latin America.

15. ____ 4. Catholic priests helped expand the Spanish language by teaching Spanish to the Indians.

16. ____ 5. Spanish and Portuguese settlers had little influence on the culture of Latin America today.

17. Credits • Religious and Cultural Traditions of Latin America.  Prod. Academic Media Network, Inc..  Academic Media Network, Inc., 2002. Discovery Education. Web. 29 January 2012. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ • Georgia Experience. Carole Marsh/Gallopade International. 2008. Peachtree City, GA • Retrieve from www.SlideShare.net. January 19, 2011