Central America and the Caribbean Past and Present

1. Who lost power?2. Who was in control of the rebels?3. What type of government did the rebel leader

want?a. Santeria b. Castro c. Batista d. Quechua e. Communist f. Militarist

4.Fill-In: Which country was concerned about the rebellion?5.Fill In: describe your break with one adjective or verb.

History

• Maya settled Guatemala– Astronomy for calendar– Skilled in math, architecture – Decline around 900 A.D.

• Carib and Arawak tribes on the Caribbean Islands– Used canoes for transportation between islands

European Influence

• Spanish colonies after Columbus • Haciendas (ranches) • Widespread slavery• Encomienda– Legal system to control natives, who had to work

or be taxed in exchange for receiving a Christian education.

• “[Spaniards] had as little concern for their souls as for their bodies, all the millions that have perished having gone to their deaths with no knowledge of God.”– Bartolome de las Casas

Revolutions

• Haiti –Toussaint L’Ouverture • Independence (Kingdom of Guatemala) – Formed own independent states after break up

Freedom (?)• Region heavily

influenced by the United States

• Dictatorships became common – Castro overthrew

Batista (1959)– Guatemalan Civil War– Nicaraguan rebellions

(1970s)

Present Day

Religion

• Different traditions– ex. Santeria (combination of Catholic and West

African beliefs)– Vodoo– Rastafarianism• Belief that Ethiopian emperor is divine

Diaspora

• Remittances common • Cultural diffusion

Government and Economy

• Most countries are democracies• Not all governments are stable– Most stable democracy is Costa Rica

• Dictatorship in Cuba • Microcredit (loans for farms in Guatemala) • Caribbean Community (Caricom) and Central

America -Dominican Republic – United States Free Trade Association (CAFTA-DR)– Concerns?