Latin America History

1. Latin America History • Mayans: ancient civilization in Mesoamerica (Mexico City, south through Honduras and El Salvador • Advanced calendars • A number system • Hieroglyphic writing • 1300 – Mayan civilization faded • Aztecs came into power in what is now Mexico. • Aztec rulers were very powerful with huge armies. Their most important emperor was Montezuma

2. Aztecs • Religious celebrations – involved blood rituals and human sacrifices • Arrival of Spanish conquistadors ended the Aztec empire • Hernando Cortez, a Spanish explorer, came and was greeted as if he were a god. The people thought he was a god and lavished him with gold and gifts • Cortez, along with other Mesoamerican people who hated Aztec rulers, defeated the Aztecs.

3. Incas • The Incas lived in the Andes of Peru and had a vast empire. They too were defeated by the Spanish. Their ruler at the time was Atahaulpa. The Spanish conquistador who killed Atahaulpa was Francisco Pizarro

4. Treaty of Tordesillas • Both the Portuguese and the Spanish wanted to claim the rich prizes in the new world. • The Treaty of Tordesillas divided territories. Most of Latin America would be controlled by the Spanish. The Portuguese ruled Brazil

5. Colonial Rule • Large plantations – haciendas • First Europeans enslaved the native people • Many died from disease • Spanish began importing African slaves

6. Class System An unfair system that lasted over 300 years: • European governors (viceroys) held the power • Creoles, descendants of European’s were next but held no power • Mestizos – people of mixed Spanish and native blood (were poor but free) • Those of African descent were slaves

7. Liberators: Most were Creoles • Simon Bolivar – freed much of South America • Jose’ de San Martin, fought for Argentina, Chile, and Peru • Father Miguel Hildago fought for Mexico