latin america. regions of “latin america ” central america the caribbean south america south...

Latin America

RegionRegionssofof

““LatinLatinAmericAmeric

aa””

RegionRegionssofof

““LatinLatinAmericAmeric

aa””

Central Central AmericaAmericaCentral Central AmericaAmerica

The CaribbeanThe CaribbeanThe CaribbeanThe Caribbean

South South AmericaAmericaSouth South

AmericaAmerica

CitiesCities

Mexico CityMexico City

HavannHavannaa Port-au-Port-au-

PrincePrince

Panama Panama CityCity

SantiaSantiagogo

LimLimaa

Buenos Buenos AiresAires

BrasiliaBrasilia

Rio De Rio De JanieroJaniero

CaracaCaracass

BogotBogotaa

TopographyTopography

ofofLatinLatin

AmericaAmerica

BodieBodiessofof

WaterWater

Atlantic Atlantic OceanOcean

Pacific Pacific OceanOcean

Gulf of Gulf of MexicoMexico

Caribbean Caribbean SeaSea

Amazon Amazon R.R.

Orinoco Orinoco R.R.

Uruguay Uruguay R.R.

Magdalena Magdalena R.R.

Sao Sao Francisco Francisco

R.R.

Lake Lake TiticacTiticac

aa

Lake Lake MaracaibMaracaib

oo

Rio de Rio de La La

PlataPlata

Parana R.Parana R.

MountainMountainss

andandPeaksPeaks

Andes Andes Mts.Mts.

Sierra Sierra Madres Madres

Mts.Mts.

Guiana Guiana HighlanHighlan

dsds

BraziliaBrazilian n

HighlanHighlandsds

PatagoniaPatagonian Plateaun Plateau

Rio Grande

Rivers in Latin America

The AMAZON!!The largest river

in the world!!

Parana River

Orinoco River

I'm the Rio de la Plata.I’m actually not a river,

but an estuary… the large water feature

where fresh water from a river meets the salt

water of the sea.

Latin American Cowboys are

called Gauchos

Latin American Cowboys are

called Gauchos

We’re usually found in grassland ranches…like the Llanos in Venezuela

Or the Pampas of Argentina….where the best

beef cattle in the world is raised!!

Llanos

http://www.ran.org/info_center/about_rainforests.html

Rainforests: Costa Rica and

Brazil~ Amazonia (in Brazil) is the largest

in the world!

“Amazonia”

Unfortunately, we’re being cut down and set aflame to make room for interior farmland and construction!!!!

OUCH!!! This is called “Slash and Burn”

Agriculture

Sierra Madres

ANDES MOUNTAINS: The longest chain and 2nd highest mountains in

the world!!

Mountains in Latin America can be split into agricultural “zones” as you move higher up the mountain. This is called “vertical zonation”

Tierra Caliente crops that like hot temperatures

Tierra Templada crops

that like temperate land

Tierra Fria no crops, just

grazing

Snow caps

Another look at Vertical Zonation in the Andes Mts.

Ancient Civilizations

• Aztecs, Mayans, Incas• Advanced Civilizations before their encounter

with the Europeans

Mayans• Location: Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala• Complex agricultural society • Built large cities• Rigid class system• Achievements:– Writing system consisting of hieroglyphics– Complex numbering system with the use of zero– 365 day calendar– Architecture: large pyramid temples– Colorful murals

Aztecs

• Location: Mexico• Large military• Practiced human sacrifice• Contributions:– Accurate calendar– Set bones and treated cavities– Built Tenochititlan 200,000 people lived there– Floating gardens raised corn, squash and beans

Incas

• Location: Andes Mountains• Ruled by Emperor• Strong centralized government• Major Achievements:– System of roads, bridges, and tunnels through the

Andes Mts.– Terrace farming– Quipus: record keeping system– Surgery, antiseptics

Imperialism In Americas

• Spanish Conquistadors Cortes and Pizzaro• Reasons for Spanish success– Technology, horses– Allies among other Native American Groups– Diseases brought by Europeans

Social Structure of the Spanish Colonies (Rigid Class System)

PeninsularesPeople born in Spain

CreolesPeople of European descent born in

the colonies

Mestizos (Native Americans And Europeans) and Mulattoes (African and Europeans)

Native Americans and People of African Descent

Most Power Fewest People

Least Power Most People

Encomienda System

• Forced system of labor• Plantations needed large amounts of labor• A conquistador was granted land along with

permission to demand labor or tribute from Native Americans in the area.

Columbia Exchange

• Exchange of goods, diseases and ideas between the Americas and Europe, Asia, Africa

• From the Americas– Corn, potatoes, beans, peanuts, pumpkins, tomatoes,

pineapples, coca, quinine, chili pepper, squash

• From Europe Asia and Africa– Cattle, goat, sheep, chickens, small pox, measles,

typhus, wheat, sugar, banan, rice, grape, horse, pig, dandelion

1800s Causes of Latin American1800s Causes of Latin AmericanRevolutionsRevolutions

1. Enlightenment Ideas writings of John Locke, Voltaire, & Jean Rousseau; Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine.

2. Creole discontent at being left out of government jobs and trade concessions.

3. Inspiration of American and French Revolutions.

4. Preoccupation of Spain & Portugal in fighting the Napoleonic Wars.

1. Enlightenment Ideas1. Enlightenment Ideas

1. Laws of nature [NATURAL LAWS] govern natural science and human society.

2. Give people rights life, liberty, property!

3. Make fair societies based on reason possible.

4. Challenged the theory of “Divine Right” monarchy.

EnlightenmentEnlightenmentThinkersThinkers

3. Inspiration of American & 3. Inspiration of American & French RevolutionsFrench Revolutions

Declaration of Declaration of Independence, 1776Independence, 1776

Declaration of the Declaration of the Rights of Man & of Rights of Man & of the Citizen, 1789the Citizen, 1789

4. Preoccupation of Spain & 4. Preoccupation of Spain & Portugal In Fighting Portugal In Fighting

Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars

Toussaint L’OuvetureToussaint L’OuvetureLeads a RevolutionLeads a Revolution

in Haitiin Haiti(1804) (1804)

Simón Bolivar: Simón Bolivar:

The “Brains”The “Brains”of theof theRevolutionRevolution

Creole leader of the revolutions in Venezuela.

George Washington of Latin America

Spent time in Europe and the newly-independent United States.

Believe in democracy

Simón Bolivar Meets José Simón Bolivar Meets José de San Martinde San Martin

The “Muscle” of The “Muscle” of the Revolutionthe RevolutionBolivar Bolivar

coming from coming from the North.the North.

José de St. Martín José de St. Martín and and Bernard O’Higgins Bernard O’Higgins cross cross the Andes Mountains.the Andes Mountains.

Bolivar’s AccomplishmentBolivar’s Accomplishment

1. Brazil Freed from Portugal1. Brazil Freed from Portugal

The Portuguese royal family escaped Napoleon by fleeing to Brazil.

Pedro I set up a new, independent kingdom in 1821 when his father returned to Portugal.

Pedro II assumed full power after Pedro I abdicated his throne.

Instability in Latin America

• Geographic Barriers: hindered unity• Social Injustice: Power remained in the hands

of the creoles and caudillos. Oligarchy• Military Rulers: Local Military Strongmen that

challenged and defeated some central governments. Became dictators

• Power of the Catholic Church

Economic Problems

• Cash Crop Economies:– Export sugar, cotton, and coffee– Import expensive finished goods

• Economic Imperialism: – Foreign Investment in mines, agriculture, and

transportation systems – Benefitted only the upper classes and foreign

investors

Mexican Revolution• 1910 -1930• Rule by General Porfirio• Brutal dictatorship• Most people were left uneducated , landless and

poor• Key Figures– Emiliano Zapata an Indian Leader (south)– Pancho Villa (north)– Venustiano Carranza elected President in 1917

approved new constitution; still in effect today

Effects of the Revolution

• Constitution of 1917: land reform, more rights for workers and women

• Social reforms: education, libraries• Economic nationalism: nationalized some

industries• Cultural nationalism:

Revolution that led to the overthrow of General Fulgencio Batista's regime on January 1, 1959

Led by Fidel and Raul Castro

Was finalized in January of

1959

Castro’s rule began

Fluctuating economy

High unemployment rates

Batista ran a military dictatorship

Overall, citizens became rebellious because of economy and the direction of Cuba

• Bastista soldiers put on trial for Human Right abuses– Most of them were killed by firing squad– Raul Castro executed 70 regime soldiers

• Cuba was official atheist and Bishops were exiled• initiated Committees for the Defense of the Revolution with

the responsibility of keeping "vigilance against counter-revolutionary activity."

• The country is now Communist• Now thought of as secular not atheist and does not

ban religion• Castro’s government was depended on Soviet Aid. • Once the Cold War Ended so did Soviet aid to Cuba• still lead by a Raul Castro• Struggling economy and world relations

Political And Economic Changes in Latin America

• Social and political factors have led to unrest• Nations have struggled to establish democracy

and improve their economies• Drug trafficking has continued to be a major

problem• The US has often intervened in the politics of

Latin America causing resentment among many Latin Americans

• Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary • OAS: Organization of American States

Sources of Unrest• Argentina – Juan Peron– Import substitution, higher wages, labor unions, social

welfare programs– Oppressive government– 1976 military government takes over fight dirty war.

As many as 20, 000 to 30,000 people just disappeared– Mothers of the Plaza de Maya– 1983 democratic elections

• Guatemala– US helps overthrow government in 1954

Panama

• Manuel Noriega Took control of Panama• 1st supported by US• His brutality and involvement in the drug

trade turned American leaders against him• 1989 President George Bush sent in US troops• Noriega was arrested and sent to prison• Jan 1 2000 the control of the Panama Canal

was turned over to the Panamians

Nicaragua

• 1936 to 1979 the Somoza family governed Nicaragua.

• Supported by US• 1979 over thrown by the Sandinistas• Reform mined nationalists and communism• Daniel Ortega sets up a socialist government• 1980s faced armed opposition from the

Contras who were supported by the US

Role of Catholic Church

• 1990s began to support the concerns of the poor and oppressed

• Active in movements for land reform and opposed dictatorships.

Modern Trends

• Movement towards democracy• NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement• Poor working conditions• Workers earn less than 2 dollars per day• Lack fossil fuels• Poor infrastructure• Lack of capital• Large international debt• Population explosion