Latin America: Four Latin America: Four Distinct AreasDistinct AreasMexico Central

AmericaSouth AmericaIslands of the

Caribbean

Geography: Diverse Geography: Diverse landscapelandscape7,000 miles from Mexico to the tip of

South AmericaRegular coastline – few natural harborsMany physical barriers - Hinders unity,

trade, and contactRegionalism: loyalty to a specific

locale/ geographic area◦Prevents communication and cultural

diffusion◦Many regional differences

Geography: Mountains and Geography: Mountains and HighlandsHighlandsAndes Mtns: 4,500 miles in length, and

source of most river systems. Peaks up to 22,384ft (Mt. Aconcagua), and many volcanoes and glaciers throughout.

Brazilian Highlands: 800 miles with highest pts over 7,000 ft.

Guina Highlands: 1,000 miles Venezuela to Brazil. Houses largest waterfall (Angel Falls) at 3,212ft.

Geography: Rivers – 3 large Geography: Rivers – 3 large systemssystemsAmazon River: 4,000 miles Peru to Atlantic.

Vital transportation link.Orinoco River: Starts in Guina Highlands

and forms wide delta across Venezuela Rio De La Plata: Third largest commercial

waterway. Shallow and difficult to navigate

Geography: Plains and Geography: Plains and DesertsDesertsAtacama Desert: Largest desert in South

America; Driest in the worldPampas: 294,000 square miles of cattle area

in central ArgentinaPatagonia: Southern Argentina. Beautiful yet

very rugged.

Geography: ClimateGeography: ClimateNear or south of EquatorTropical Rain Forests: ¾ of Latin

America in tropical zone. Rain forests produce much of Earth’s oxygen. Deforestation: cutting down of trees in Amazon Rain Forest

Tropical Savannas: Northern and central portions of South America, several

Caribbean islands: Wet and dry seasons 

Arid Lands: Northern Mexico, Pacific coast of South America, southern part of Argentina

Geography: Natural Geography: Natural Resources Resources

Agriculture: Topography makes farming difficult

Grow cattle on grasslands and savannasCrops on river lowlands and savannasHalf of the world’s coffee and bananas1/3rd of world’s sugar and cocoaCash crops (crops sold for profit): Many Latin

American nations vulnerable to poor weather conditions and world price fluctuations

Mineral Resources: Oil in Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia

Bolivia: 2nd largest producer of tin in worldChile: world’s largest exporter of copperMexico: large deposits of silver

CivilizationsCivilizationsFor thousands of years (1500 BC –

1530 AD) native people of the Americas developed independently from the rest of the world.

1. MayansII. ToltecIII. AztecsIV. Incas

Mayans – (maybe as early as 2000 BC) flourished 300-900 AD ◦ Location: Yucatan

Peninsula Guatemala, Honduras, Belize,

El Salvador◦ Polytheism: Many gods

Religious rituals revolved around agricultural seasons

◦ Political System: Noble class of warriors and hereditary priests

Accomplishments◦ System of writing and

mathematics, use of zero◦ Hieroglyphic writing on

stele (upright stone pillars) and manuscripts

Mayans: Accomplishments cont.

◦More accurate calendar than Europeans had at the time

◦Astronomical observatories: movement of planets

◦Elaborate art Stone structures Wall paintings Huge works of architecture (flat top

pyramids)

◦Used bricks, mortar, stucco◦Frescoes◦Great cities

Administrative and ceremonial centers

Large populations

Toltec – 750-900 AD◦Location: Central Mexican

Highlands; invaded Mayan territory

◦Political: Ruled by military and religious leaders jointly

◦Accomplishments:◦Extensive trading network Copper bells Turquoise

◦Massive buildings, pyramids, ceremonial ball courts of stone

◦Painted ceramics◦Metalwork in gold and

copper

Aztecs: Flourished late 1100’s, warlike (1200-1521 AD)◦Location: Central and Southern Mexico◦Political: Warrior group with rigid class

structure; slaves◦Borrowed ideas from conquered people◦Huge empire: Forced conquered people

to pay tribute, used prisoners as daily human sacrifices to Gods

Aztecs: Accomplishments

◦ Astronomy and Mathematics Developed a calendar and

counting system

◦ Manuscripts◦ Elaborate irrigation systems◦ Hillside terracing for

agriculture◦ Artificial lakes, causeways,

island cities – Tenochtitlan (floating gardens)

◦ Featherwork textiles◦ Metalwork in gold; silver◦ Jade objects◦ Semiprecious stones as

jewelry

Incans: (200-1535 AD) warlike/farming culture◦Location: Peru and parts of Ecuador, Chile,

Bolivia, and Argentina ◦Extensive empire: Several million people

◦Political: Inca rulers and rigid class system Thought to be direct descendant of Sun God Controlled people through priests and officials Founded Dynasty

◦ Inca owned all land and the people worked it for the ruler

◦Incan Accomplishments: Extensive road network: runners Potatoes Quipu (kee poos): system of measurement

and record keeping – knotted string – no writing

Hillside terracing Medical knowledge of surgery and diseases Elaborate building and engineering feats

1492-1546: European Exploration 1492-1546: European Exploration and Conquest and Conquest

◦Increased dependence on Europe

◦Exploitation of peoples and resources because of ethnocentric attitudes

◦Conquistadors (Conquerors): Aztecs-Cortez Incas – Pizarro

◦Guns, cannons, horses, diseases, enslaved survivors, shipped wealth to Europe

◦Spain, France, England, Netherlands and Portugal claimed lands

The Encomienda SystemThe Encomienda SystemSpanish explorers who claimed lands in the New

World set up institutions they were familiar with in Castile, which were strong links to their feudalistic history. They modified their model of feudalism to fit the needs and conditions in New Spain and the Caribbean. The encomienda system was created in May 1493 by the Crown in Castile who reserved the right to grant and remove the encomiendas as seen fit. The crown granted a person a specified number of natives for whom they were to take responsibility. The receiver of the grant was to instruct the natives in the Spanish language and in the Catholic faith. In return, they could exact tribute from the natives in the form of labor. The system created a rigid class structure within Latin America.

Encomienda Class structureEncomienda Class structure◦ Peninsulares: Spanish officials sent to L.A. to govern

colonies Most prestige

◦ Criollos: People born in colonies of Spanish parents Looked down upon by Spanish officials and barred

from highest positions in government Educated and wealthy Became leaders of revolutions

◦ Mestizos / Mulattoes: Mixed Spanish, Indian, or African parents Laborers and townspeople Few political rights Resentment grew because of low social status

◦ Native Americans / African Slaves: Bottom of social structure Worked on estates/mines - had few freedoms

Movements for Independence:Movements for Independence:Reasons:

◦Unjust conditions stemming from colonial rule◦Spread of the democratic ideals of the

European Enlightenment◦Successes of American and French Revolution◦Wars fought against French emperor

Napoleon Bonaparte, which diverted Spanish and Portuguese attention from Latin America

Latin American IndependenceLatin American Independence Toussant L’Ouverture (1971): slaves on

western half of French colony Haiti revolted under TL’s leadership. First to gain independence in 1804.

Simon Bolivar (“The Liberator”): educated/wealthy criollo fought for independence and unified Latin America. In1819 organized and led a successful revolt against Spanish. Later named president of Republic of Gran Colombia (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama)

Jose de San Martin: Bolivar’s counterpart in the South who won independence for Argentina in 1816. Joined forces with Chilean general Bernardo O’Higgins. Crossed Andes and drove the Spanish from Chile – independence in 1818. Parts of Peru and Argentina freed in 1820’s.

Latin American Latin American IndependenceIndependenceMiguel Hidalgo and Jose

Morelos: Catholic criollo priests helped Mexico gain their independence. Led Indians and mestizos in a revolution in 1821. Mexico gained its independence but the Spanish executed the priests

Independence for Brazil and the Caribbean

Brazil: Peaceful transition: Portugal granted independence in 1822

Caribbean: Some today still not independent (Martinique and Cayman Islands)

Instability in Latin AmericaInstability in Latin AmericaObstacles after Independence:

◦ Regional Differences: geographic barriers, border disputes, regional rivalries for power

◦ Caudillos: leaders backed by military emerged in Latin American nations. Used law-and-order tactics - favored the upper class

◦ Economic/Social Inequality: land and wealth in hands of few criollos. With the overthrow of colonial rule, Mestizos and Mulattos were denied equal rights. Slavery was abolished but Indians and Blacks had few rights.

◦ Church Conservatism: powerful but conservative in Latin American society – rejected liberal changes that would reform Latin America

The Monroe DoctrineThe Monroe DoctrineUS policy that

prevented European powers from intervening in unstable Latin American nations

Closed Western Hemisphere to further European colonization

Great Britain supported this policy because they saw link between independence and new markets

The 20The 20thth Century: U.S. Century: U.S. Involvement in Latin AmericaInvolvement in Latin America1903: U.S. encourages Panama's independence from

Colombia in order to acquire the Panama Canal rights. 1905: Roosevelt Corollary/Monroe Doctrine declares

U.S. policeman of the Caribbean 1912: U.S. Marines invade Nicaragua and occupy the

country almost continuously until 1933. 1914: Mexican refusal to salute U.S. flag provokes

shelling of Veracruz by a U.S. battleship and seizure of parts of the city.

1954: The CIA engineers overthrow of democratically-elected government of Guatemala; 30 years of military dictatorship, repression, and violence follow.

The 20The 20thth Century: U.S. Century: U.S. Involvement in Latin AmericaInvolvement in Latin America1961: U.S. attempts to overthrow the

revolutionary Cuban government at the Bay of Pigs.

1973: The CIA helps overthrow the democratic government of Allende in Chile in favor of a bloody dictatorship.

1981: The Reagan Administration begins the contra war against Nicaraguan civilians.

1983: The U.S. invades Grenada to overthrow a popular government.

1989: The U.S. invades Panama to arrest accused drug dealer Manual Noriega.

1990: The U.S. intervenes in the Nicaraguan election process

Economic Economic ImperialismImperialism in Latin in Latin AmericaAmericaForeign Investment:

Americans/Europeans invested billions in late 1800’s –Argentina and Brazil developed prosperous economies

Foreign Intervention: ◦ Investor nations sent war ships to collect overdue

loan payments and demanded economic concessions.

◦ Instability/ frequent changes in governments were viewed as threats to foreign-owned businesses and investments

◦ US and Europe supported caudillos who provided law and order

Since Democracy: Problems Since Democracy: Problems AriseAriseDemocracy in most LA countries

has not solved the corruption issue within government systems

Globalization has not benefitted the majority. Gap between rich and poor is growing

Ungoverned/poorly governed areas have led to the growth of illegal activities; mainly drug traffiking.

Noteworthy conflicts: Past and Noteworthy conflicts: Past and PresentPresent 1976-1983: Argentina’s “Dirty War”

against dissidents (11,000 disappear) 1978: The Jonestown massacre (909 dead)1980’s: Colombia’s drug war with the US

fuels wars between paramilitary and rebel groups (goes on for decades)

Past and Present cont….Past and Present cont….1980’s: The Iran Contra Affair

dealing with Nicaragua1995: War between Peru and

Ecuador (Amazon River Basin)

Past and Present Past and Present cont.cont.Venezuela: Hugo Chavez increasing executive power intensifies tensions with many

Bolivia suffers from what to do with natural gas, coca trade, and radical indigenous tribes

Brazil struggles with Amazon Rain Forest destructionPolitical disputes in Honduras and Ecuador threaten

stability.

Past and Present Past and Present cont.cont.El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala are Central American countries in conflict

Haiti, the poorest country in the world deals with developing and the environment

Mexico is dealing with violent drug wars killing thousands of civilians

Population: Rapid population growth threatens economic development of Latin America – 455 million people in 1990 – projected to double by 2025