VENEZUELA:History, Government, & MORE Culture!

Directions: Copy all notes in orange.

VENEZUELA:HistoryThe first people to

live in Venezuela were Native Americans

In the early 1500’s they were colonized by Spanish

Because of all of the rivers in Venezuela, it reminded Spanish explorers of Venice, Italy. Venezuela means “Little Italy.”

VENEZUELA:HistoryVenezuela

remained a Spanish colony until Simon Bolivar decided to lead a revolution throughout South America.

VENEZUELA:Government1830 Venezuela

separates from Gran Colombia and becomes fully independent

After independence, Venezuela was lead by military dictators until 1959 when they became a democracy

VENEZUELA:GovernmentVenezuela today is a

“Federal Democratic Republic”

Leader of the country is a President, who may serve 2-6 year terms

In 1999, Hugo Chavez was elected president (he is both chief executive and head of state)

VENEZUELA:GovernmentChavez has instituted

Socialism in Venezuela

Socialism-a system of society in which there is no private property; a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism; and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

“From each according to his abilities, to each according to his

needs. “

VENEZUELA:GovernmentSuffrage is 18 years

old

Do the citizens have a role in government?

If so, who or what might be threatening that role?

VENEZUELA:CulturePopulation:

28,047,938 Ethnicities: 67%

Mestizo,21% White,1% Amerindian,9% others (Africans, Arabs, Asians)◦Why would their be more Mestizo?

93% live in urban areas

VENEZUELA:Culture

96% follow the Roman Catholic religion.

Official language is Spanish.

WHY?

VENEZUELA SUMMARIZERDirections: Write & answer each question.

1. Where do most Venezuelans live and why do they live there?

2. What is the top resource in Venezuela and what is a negative about it?

3. Who is responsible for Venezuela gaining independence?

4. What does Hugo Chavez want to institute in Venezuela?

5. What are 2 examples that Venezuela was once colonized by the Spanish?