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8000 BC – 600CE8000 BC – 600CEThe Mayans and the OlmecsThe Mayans and the Olmecs

• Prior to 8000 BC nomads travel over Bering Land Bridge and begin to migrate into South America. Prior to 8000 BC nomads travel over Bering Land Bridge and begin to migrate into South America. Basically hunting and gathering societies. Basically hunting and gathering societies.

• Agriculture emerged and nomadic peoples were able to settle. Maize is the “big” crop of the time for Agriculture emerged and nomadic peoples were able to settle. Maize is the “big” crop of the time for them. Also eventually they developed irrigation skills.them. Also eventually they developed irrigation skills.

• In about 2000 BC Huastecas and other proto-Maya cultures begin to develop in Mexico. The Olmecs In about 2000 BC Huastecas and other proto-Maya cultures begin to develop in Mexico. The Olmecs come around in around 1300-400BC and the Mayans also came around this time. come around in around 1300-400BC and the Mayans also came around this time.

• Olmecs and Mayans had predefined gender roles, life revolved around their polytheistic religions Olmecs and Mayans had predefined gender roles, life revolved around their polytheistic religions and the worship of their deities. The famous Mayan calendar was also a huge part of their religion. and the worship of their deities. The famous Mayan calendar was also a huge part of their religion. The Dec. 21The Dec. 21stst , 2012 prophecy is from them. , 2012 prophecy is from them.

• Priests had huge political control over society since their lifestyle was based off of religion. Strong Priests had huge political control over society since their lifestyle was based off of religion. Strong warriors and hunters were also rewarded with high spots in the society. Women were able to be warriors and hunters were also rewarded with high spots in the society. Women were able to be priestesses.priestesses.

• Pyramids were the center of city life. This is where their human sacrifices of mostly infants and Pyramids were the center of city life. This is where their human sacrifices of mostly infants and young children took place. Many other religious practices of these cultures took place here such as young children took place. Many other religious practices of these cultures took place here such as dancing, ball games, group prayer and dramatic performances were done here or very close to the dancing, ball games, group prayer and dramatic performances were done here or very close to the temples.temples.

• The practice of bloodletting started with the Olmecs and Mayans. This was when someone would The practice of bloodletting started with the Olmecs and Mayans. This was when someone would put themselves through self torture to please the gods. Both captives and high officials practiced put themselves through self torture to please the gods. Both captives and high officials practiced this. The higher one’s position in a society was the more blood was expected from you was. This this. The higher one’s position in a society was the more blood was expected from you was. This was because the Mayan aristocracy were suppose to be mediators of the gods and their people. was because the Mayan aristocracy were suppose to be mediators of the gods and their people. Blood was drawn by jabbing spines through the ear or through other sensitive body parts, or by Blood was drawn by jabbing spines through the ear or through other sensitive body parts, or by drawing a thorn-studded cord through the tongue; it was then spattered on paper or otherwise drawing a thorn-studded cord through the tongue; it was then spattered on paper or otherwise collected as an offering to the gods. collected as an offering to the gods.

• Some art they produced includes huge stone faces of important people, usually high priests etc. Some art they produced includes huge stone faces of important people, usually high priests etc. Also their developed writing comparable to Egyptian hieroglyphics made up of many different Also their developed writing comparable to Egyptian hieroglyphics made up of many different glyphs.glyphs.

600 CE – 1450 CE600 CE – 1450 CEIncansIncans

• Resided on West Coast of South America primarily. Came about in the year 1200 and stood Resided on West Coast of South America primarily. Came about in the year 1200 and stood until Spanish conquistadors wiped out their empire. until Spanish conquistadors wiped out their empire.

• Split into two main factions the Hanan and the Hurin due to conflicts over bloodlines etc. Split into two main factions the Hanan and the Hurin due to conflicts over bloodlines etc. (Between two brothers) The Spanish took advantage of this feud to help their conquering of (Between two brothers) The Spanish took advantage of this feud to help their conquering of them. Divide and Conquer..them. Divide and Conquer..

• Used advanced irrigation techniques for the time to farm mainly maize. They were the first Used advanced irrigation techniques for the time to farm mainly maize. They were the first civilization to farm the potato. They were also the first to preserve crops with the freeze-dry civilization to farm the potato. They were also the first to preserve crops with the freeze-dry technique.technique.

• They had a vast system of roads to trade with neighboring lands such as the Aztecs and also They had a vast system of roads to trade with neighboring lands such as the Aztecs and also other less known civilizations of South America.other less known civilizations of South America.

• Incans never developed steel however they developed bronze which was vastly superior to Incans never developed steel however they developed bronze which was vastly superior to the metals the Aztecs and other opposing Mesoamerican peoples used.the metals the Aztecs and other opposing Mesoamerican peoples used.

• Incans used quipu, a knotted string method of keeping count of stuff. The exact way this Incans used quipu, a knotted string method of keeping count of stuff. The exact way this method works is still unknown to us today.method works is still unknown to us today.

• Inti was their primary deity (the sun God) and they developed a “holy drink” that they would Inti was their primary deity (the sun God) and they developed a “holy drink” that they would drink during festivals to him. It was basically beer made of maize. There was no bloodletting drink during festivals to him. It was basically beer made of maize. There was no bloodletting in this culture or human sacrifice.in this culture or human sacrifice.

• Incans used much gold and silver in their architecture of main cities due to their vast supply. Incans used much gold and silver in their architecture of main cities due to their vast supply. Much of this gold and silver was melted down by Europeans.Much of this gold and silver was melted down by Europeans.

• The society of the Incans is considered to some to be an ancient socialist empire due to how The society of the Incans is considered to some to be an ancient socialist empire due to how the wealth was spread throughout the majority of the population exceptions being high the wealth was spread throughout the majority of the population exceptions being high priests and high ranking military officers. Both men and women had predefined gender roles. priests and high ranking military officers. Both men and women had predefined gender roles. The women usually had little to no rights and were able to become acolytes which were The women usually had little to no rights and were able to become acolytes which were religious helpers comparable to nuns nowadays. religious helpers comparable to nuns nowadays.

600 – 1450 CE600 – 1450 CEThe AztecsThe Aztecs

• Located in central and southern MexicoLocated in central and southern Mexico• Empire was split up into many different City-States. The Aztecs were actually a triple Empire was split up into many different City-States. The Aztecs were actually a triple

alliance of people living in the area.alliance of people living in the area.• Each city state had their own King (based on bloodlines and were usually priests) and Each city state had their own King (based on bloodlines and were usually priests) and

paid tribute to more powerful city-states. paid tribute to more powerful city-states. • The Aztecs were always expanding seeking more and more tribute from neighboring The Aztecs were always expanding seeking more and more tribute from neighboring

lands. The fate of the captives could be a number of things, sometimes they would be lands. The fate of the captives could be a number of things, sometimes they would be sacrificed and taken in as slaves or if they were a stronger people may have been sacrificed and taken in as slaves or if they were a stronger people may have been adopted as a city-states and forced to pay tribute to the other city-states.adopted as a city-states and forced to pay tribute to the other city-states.

• Slavery and serfdom was present in this culture and formed the backbone of the Slavery and serfdom was present in this culture and formed the backbone of the economy on farms. The main produce of the Aztecs was maize. Tenochtitlan was the economy on farms. The main produce of the Aztecs was maize. Tenochtitlan was the main trade city of the empire where many different city-states would organize “big main trade city of the empire where many different city-states would organize “big business” of the time. business” of the time.

• Bloodletting and Human sacrifice were a very common practice in the Aztec culture. They Bloodletting and Human sacrifice were a very common practice in the Aztec culture. They were almost identical to the Mayan rituals in the way they were practiced. Women were were almost identical to the Mayan rituals in the way they were practiced. Women were also able to have religious power as in Mayan culture.also able to have religious power as in Mayan culture.

• The three main social classes of the Aztecs were the The three main social classes of the Aztecs were the pīpiltinpīpiltin or nobility, the or nobility, the mācehualtin mācehualtin or the middle class and the tlacotin (the slaves). The pipiltin comprised of many land or the middle class and the tlacotin (the slaves). The pipiltin comprised of many land owners who had access to a good education. Usually you had to be a pilli to become a owners who had access to a good education. Usually you had to be a pilli to become a pilli but it was not impossible to go from middle class to a higher class until later in the pilli but it was not impossible to go from middle class to a higher class until later in the empire when this social class became hereditary. The middle class comprised of warriors, empire when this social class became hereditary. The middle class comprised of warriors, artisans, traveling merchants and farmers. The lowest class were captives and slaves.artisans, traveling merchants and farmers. The lowest class were captives and slaves.

• The Aztecs used advanced irrigation systems as well most likely learned from the Incans. The Aztecs used advanced irrigation systems as well most likely learned from the Incans.

1450-1750 CE1450-1750 CEEuropeans Come and Colonize!Europeans Come and Colonize!

• The ancient world of the Aztecs and Incans becomes the “New World” to the Europeans. The ancient world of the Aztecs and Incans becomes the “New World” to the Europeans. Natives defined as Indians since the Europeans thought they had landed in the Indies at the Natives defined as Indians since the Europeans thought they had landed in the Indies at the time. Mostly the Portuguese and Spanish colonize Mesoamerica. time. Mostly the Portuguese and Spanish colonize Mesoamerica.

• Disease from Europe spreads throughout the empires and kills off a huge %age of the Disease from Europe spreads throughout the empires and kills off a huge %age of the mesoamerican people. Spanish divide and conquer the Incans due to their factional mesoamerican people. Spanish divide and conquer the Incans due to their factional disputed and the Aztecs don’t stand a chance to them due to their very primitive weapon disputed and the Aztecs don’t stand a chance to them due to their very primitive weapon technologies. Conquistadors wipe out most of the mesoamerican people.technologies. Conquistadors wipe out most of the mesoamerican people.

• Spanish and Portuguese melt down most of the gold and silver from the Aztecs and Mayans.Spanish and Portuguese melt down most of the gold and silver from the Aztecs and Mayans.• Catholic Missionaries attempt to spread their religion to Mesoamericans. Christianity Catholic Missionaries attempt to spread their religion to Mesoamericans. Christianity

becomes primary religion of South America overall.becomes primary religion of South America overall.• Spanish establish the encomienda system in their colonies to force slavery upon the Spanish establish the encomienda system in their colonies to force slavery upon the

natives. This was used on plantations and quarries. natives. This was used on plantations and quarries. • Rigid social classes present in Latin America at the time. At the top were Peninsulars who Rigid social classes present in Latin America at the time. At the top were Peninsulars who

were pure blooded Spanish people directly from Spain. Next were the creoles who were of were pure blooded Spanish people directly from Spain. Next were the creoles who were of Spanish descent but were born in Latin America. Other combinations of lower positions than Spanish descent but were born in Latin America. Other combinations of lower positions than the creoles were:the creoles were:Spanish + Native American= MestizoSpanish + Native American= MestizoAny European + African= MulattoAny European + African= MulattoNative American + African= ZombosNative American + African= Zombos

• White supremacy ideas brought about by the above social classes.White supremacy ideas brought about by the above social classes.• Colonies pay tribute to motherland country.Colonies pay tribute to motherland country.• Immigrants from Europe who cannot pay for the trip are taken in as indentured servants to Immigrants from Europe who cannot pay for the trip are taken in as indentured servants to

pay off the cost of the travel.pay off the cost of the travel.

1750-1914 CE1750-1914 CE

• American Revolution inspires many colonies to break away from their mother country. American Revolution inspires many colonies to break away from their mother country. • Haitian Revolution was the first Latin American colony to break away from Europe. Haitian Revolution was the first Latin American colony to break away from Europe.

Francais Toussaint L’Ouverature leads the revolt. This is unique due to how the lowest Francais Toussaint L’Ouverature leads the revolt. This is unique due to how the lowest class was the one revolting and was successful.class was the one revolting and was successful.

• Creoles become mad at Peninsulares who have much less knowledge about the colony Creoles become mad at Peninsulares who have much less knowledge about the colony and having high government positions when they just come there straight from Europe and having high government positions when they just come there straight from Europe and automatically become higher class than them. Creoles want positions in and automatically become higher class than them. Creoles want positions in government. This leads to widespread revolts against European Mother Countries in government. This leads to widespread revolts against European Mother Countries in Latin America. Latin America.

• Many colonies gain their independence due to havoc in Europe as Napoleon tramples Many colonies gain their independence due to havoc in Europe as Napoleon tramples over Europe. Europe has bigger worries than their colonies so freedom is granted easier over Europe. Europe has bigger worries than their colonies so freedom is granted easier than usual.than usual.

• Brazil is granted “freedom” by Portugal and Portugal places a prince of Portugal as king Brazil is granted “freedom” by Portugal and Portugal places a prince of Portugal as king of the new “free” Brazil.of the new “free” Brazil.

• New independent nations experiment with what political system to use. An example of New independent nations experiment with what political system to use. An example of this is how Brazil went from a Kingdomthis is how Brazil went from a KingdomEmpireEmpireRepublic all within 90 yearsRepublic all within 90 years

• Many Creoles become corrupted and Caudillos (military leaders) take the opportunity to Many Creoles become corrupted and Caudillos (military leaders) take the opportunity to seize power in some Latin America nations such as Mexico (La Reforma etc.)seize power in some Latin America nations such as Mexico (La Reforma etc.)

• Huge migrations of Europeans and Asians to Latin America.Huge migrations of Europeans and Asians to Latin America.• Latin American identity is established, Gauchos (cowboys) become associated with Latin Latin American identity is established, Gauchos (cowboys) become associated with Latin

America. Becomes a symbol and idea of Latin America as Gauchos are regarded as America. Becomes a symbol and idea of Latin America as Gauchos are regarded as people who only need themselves to survive helps feed Latin American nationalism people who only need themselves to survive helps feed Latin American nationalism since they don’t have to depend on Europe anymore.since they don’t have to depend on Europe anymore.

1914-Present1914-Present

• Great Depression effects everyone including Latin America. Latin America depends on the Great Depression effects everyone including Latin America. Latin America depends on the U.S. to buy a lot of its products and U.S. economy begins to decline thus the Latin U.S. to buy a lot of its products and U.S. economy begins to decline thus the Latin American economy also declines.American economy also declines.

• Latin America becomes one of the biggest fruit producers and vegetable producers in the Latin America becomes one of the biggest fruit producers and vegetable producers in the world. world.

• Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba. Support from Russia as he is a communist. Support Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba. Support from Russia as he is a communist. Support from disgruntled lower class and how they hate how U.S. controls such a large portion of from disgruntled lower class and how they hate how U.S. controls such a large portion of their economy.their economy.

• Radical artists in Latin America in general spread radical ideas of a new and improved Radical artists in Latin America in general spread radical ideas of a new and improved government throughout Latin America via their art. An example is Diego Rivera’s art in government throughout Latin America via their art. An example is Diego Rivera’s art in Mexico.Mexico.

• U.S. established “good neighbor” treaty which gives them financial control of many places U.S. established “good neighbor” treaty which gives them financial control of many places in Latin America. U.S. marines help train police of many different states of South America in Latin America. U.S. marines help train police of many different states of South America to preserve law and order. This tones down the radical rebellions that were happening.to preserve law and order. This tones down the radical rebellions that were happening.

• Panama Canal is builtPanama Canal is built• Cold War begins and many countries take sides splitting the area in half. Big tensions in Cold War begins and many countries take sides splitting the area in half. Big tensions in

Latin America.Latin America.• Women’s rights in Latin America grows and eventually many countries establish women’s Women’s rights in Latin America grows and eventually many countries establish women’s

rights.rights.• Tourism in Latin America also becomes a very profitable field.Tourism in Latin America also becomes a very profitable field.• Gangs and other organized crime becomes very big problem in South America. Emerge Gangs and other organized crime becomes very big problem in South America. Emerge

from oppressed social classes and minorities. Drug Trafficking is one of the major problems from oppressed social classes and minorities. Drug Trafficking is one of the major problems of South America nowadays.of South America nowadays.

Continuity!!!!!!!!!Continuity!!!!!!!!!

• Maize was a major crop in Latin America. It Maize was a major crop in Latin America. It was a major export in all time periods.was a major export in all time periods.

• Prescribed gender roles for women until Prescribed gender roles for women until the 1930’s.the 1930’s.

• Slavery with encomiendas to African Slavery with encomiendas to African slavery.slavery.

• European colonization from 600 C.E. to European colonization from 600 C.E. to 1750 C.E.1750 C.E.

• South America’s economy has always South America’s economy has always revolved around produce and gold. revolved around produce and gold.