Cultural Elements

Latin America (Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South

America)

Vocabulary Terms to Know• Indigenous- Native born; existed before colonization (ex: Native Americans)• Cultural diffusion- The spread of cultural items—such as ideas, styles, religions, technologies,

languages, etc.—between individuals, whether within a single culture or from one culture to another

• Colombian Exchange- Also known as the Grand Exchange, was a dramatic widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations (including slaves), diseases, and ideas between the American and Afro-Eurasian Hemispheres following the voyage to the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492

• Assimilation- Also known as cultural assimilation; the process whereby a minority group gradually adapts to the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture

• Mestizo- Being of mixed races of Spanish and Native American heritages• Conquistador- Soldiers, explorers, and adventurers at the service of the Spanish Empire and

Portuguese Empire • Eurocentrism- The practice of viewing the world from a European perspective; historical roots

in European colonialism and imperialism; A eurocentric worldview often seeks to show the superiority of Western customs to analogous developments in other, often earlier cultures.

• Ethnocentrism- Judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion

Ancient Civilizations

The Aztecs

The Incans

The Mayans

Aztecs

• Often the term "Aztec" refers exclusively to the Mexica people of Tenochtitlan (present day Mexico City)

• At its pinnacle (height) Aztec culture had rich and complex mythological and religious traditions, as well as reaching remarkable architectural and artistic accomplishments

• Cultivated maize (corn), divided classes between wealthy and poor, had a complex belief system with many gods, calendar system

• Empire crumbled with arrival of conquistadors- Hernán Cortés

• Human sacrifices• Built pyramids

Incans• The largest empire in pre-Columbian America• From 1438 to 1533, the Incas used a variety of methods, from

conquest to peaceful assimilation, to incorporate a large portion of western South America, centered on the Andean mountain ranges

• Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro and his brothers explored south from what is today Panama, reaching Inca territory by 1526

• Believed in reincarnation • Practiced cranial deformation- distinguished classes• Practiced human sacrifices (adult). They would also sacrifice babies

known as capacocha• Performed successful skull surgeries

Mayans

• Developed the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas

• Empire stretched from southern Mexico to the northern Central American region, including the present-day nations of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras

• Built pyramids, observatories to map the celestials and ball courts

• No one knows exactly why the Mayans “disappeared”, but due to technology, many scientists believe they died out due to natural disasters (severe drought and famine)

• Developed the concept/number zero 0• Practiced human sacrifices

Christopher Columbus• Famous, Italian born explorer• Sailed “west” in hopes to

reach India and the Orient for their spices

• Nina, Pinta and the Santa Maria

• Landed on an island in the Bahamas he named San Salvador

• Thought he reached India, so he named the indigenous peoples Indians. They were the Taino

Culture of the Caribbean* Caribbean culture is a term that explains the artistic, musical, literary, culinary, political and social elements that are representative of the Caribbean* The Caribbean's culture has historically been influenced by European culture and traditions, especially British, Spanish and French* Cultural protectionism in the Caribbean has, since the mid-20th century, taken the form of conscious, interventionist attempts on the part of various Caribbean governments to promote Caribbean cultural production and limit the effect of foreign, largely American, culture on the domestic audience

Culture of South America* Cultures include the indigenous peoples, such as the Incans, as well as European cultures and African* Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion (over 80% in Hispanic countries, some 65%-70% in Brazil). French Guiana also has a large number of Protestants. Guyana and Suriname are exceptions, with three major religions: Christianity in general, Hinduism, and Islam*Portuguese and Spanish are the primary languages of the continent. The majority of South Americans (more than 50%) speak Portuguese* South American nations have a rich variety of music. Some of the most famous genres include samba from Brazil, tango from Argentina & Uruguay, and cumbia from Colombia.