Chapter 10 A Blending of Cultures Mexico Colonialism

Chapter 10 A Blending of Cultures

Mexico: Colonialism and Independence n Spanish Conquest The native way of life was destroyed Ø In 1519, Hernando Cortes marched into Tenochtitlan or present day Mexico City and conquered the Aztec people living there Ø Mexico became part of the Spanish Empire Ø n Independence from Spain Ø Achieved independence from Spain under Agustin de Iturbide in 1821.

Colonialism and Independence n Pre-Mexican Revolution Land continues to be unequally distributed Ø A few rich landowners owned haciendas (estates or ranches ) which were worked by peasants Ø Corrupt Politicians ruled until the Mexican Revolution Ø n Mexican Revolution Occurred in 1917, led by Pancho Villa Ø A new constitution was adopted and nearly half of Mexico’s farmland was redistributed to peasants Ø

Colonialism and Independence n One-Party Rule - Institutional Revolutionary Party arose in 1929 Introduced Democracy Ø Made some reforms and continued redistributing land to peasants Ø Fraud and corruption undermined the Democratic process Ø n National Action Party In 2000, Vicente Fox was elected president Ø 1 st time in 71 years, the PRI did not control Mexico’s congress or presidency Ø

A Meeting of Cultures n The Aztecs The Aztec Empire in the Valley of Mexico Ø Arrived in the valley around A. D. 1200 Ø Tenochtitlan was capital where they practiced human sacrifice in their temples Ø n The Spanish Cortes destroyed most of Tenochtitlan and Spaniards built Mexico City on top of the ruins Ø Ancient Aztec ruins and relics keep turning up as modern projects in Mexico City are built Ø

A Meeting of Cultures n Spanish & Native American Culture Spain brought its language and religion to this region creating a majority Catholic population Ø Spanish elements, such as architecture, blended with native elements Ø Native heritage remains strong Ø There is a large mestizo population ( the mixing of Spanish & Native American heritage ) Ø Painters, like some architects, blended Native American and Spanish influences Ø

Economics: Cities and Factories n Two Economic Challenges Closing a long-standing gap between the rich and poor Ø Developing a modern industrial economy Ø n Population and the Cities Ø Populations are increasing as citizens are moving into cities for job opportunities

Economics: Cities and Factories n Oil reserves along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico Ø Oil industry is an important part of developing its industrial economy Ø Profits have helped develop manufacturing industries Ø n Manufacturing Most new factories are located in the North Ø Maquiladoras assemble imported materials into finished products for exporting Ø NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement Ø

Mexican Life Today n Emigration Many workers (thousands) leave Mexico and travel to the U. S. to find work Ø These emigrants send money back home to families Ø Major problem in Mexico Ø n School About 85% of school-age children attend school Ø Education is a necessity for finding good jobs Ø Gov’t is trying to improve education to improve their populations way of life Ø

Mexican Life Today n Jobs Ø Ø Most jobs in Mexico today are found in Maquiladoras or factories Cities Ø Many people are moving into the cities to find better employment opportunities

Central America and the Caribbean n Central America – Land Bridge between North and South America Native people include Mayas and Aztecs Ø Spanish settlers and people from Africa have influenced the culture Ø Spain and Britian were colonial powers Ø Catholicism was major religion Ø Spanish is main language Ø

Central America and the Caribbean n Caribbean Native people were the Taino Ø Africans, Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish groups have all influenced the culture of this region Ø Colonial powers included Spain, Britain, France, Netherlands, and Denmark Ø Major religions include Catholicism, Protestantism, Santeria, Voodoo, and Rastafarianism Ø Major languages include Spanish, French, English, Dutch, and Danish Ø

Native and Colonial Central America n Central America – A Cultural Hearth Ø n A heartland or place of origin of a major culture Mayan Influence Civilization stretched from southern Mexico into northern Central America Ø Built many cities with temples and palaces Ø Tikal, northern Guatemala, considered the center of Mayan civilization Ø

Native and Colonial Central America n The Spanish in Central America Spain ruled Central America until the 19 th Century Ø Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821 Ø In 1823, Central America declared its independence from Spain and took the name “United Provinces of Central America” Ø By late 1830’s, United Provinces had split into separate nations Ø These nations became El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras Ø Later, Panama broke off from Colombia and became independent Ø Belize broke away from British Honduras Ø

Native and Colonial Caribbean n Caribbean Influences Columbus reached the Caribbean Islands in 1492 Ø Inhabitants called themselves the Taino Ø Spanish settled some islands and established sugar plantations Ø After many natives died from diseases, African slaves were used as a replacement forced labor Ø The result is Africans have a lasting influence on Caribbean life and culture Ø

Native and Colonial Caribbean n Colonial Mosaic Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish all claimed islands in the Caribbean Ø Wanted to profit from the sugar trade Ø n Caribbean Independence In the 1790’s, Toussaint L’Ouverture led a slave revolt in Haiti and took over the government Ø Haiti achieved independence from France by 1804 Ø Cuba achieved independence from Spain in 1898 Ø After U. S. occupation, the island became self governing in 1902. Ø Jamaica, Trinidad, & Tobago did not achieve full independence from Great Britain until 1962 Ø

Cultural Blends n The Culture of Central America Two distinct cultures – Native American & Spanish Ø Spanish Language, Catholic Religion, some Protestant Missionaries Ø Cut down forests, opened up land for grazing livestock, & new crops such as wheat Ø n The Culture of the Caribbean Residents of Islands are of European, African, & Native American ancestry Ø Religions, languages, village life, markets, & crops have all been influenced by these three groups Ø

Economics: Jobs and People n Farming and Trade Largest export crop is sugar cane n Other important crops are bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, & spices n Caribbean & Central American region are very poor n n Panama Canal that cuts through Panama n Links the hemispheres n Makes Panama a crossroads for world trade n

Popular Culture, Tourism, & Jobs n Music of the Caribbean Calypso – Began in Trinidad & combines elements from Africa, Spain, and the U. S. n Reggae – Began in Jamaica, combines Caribbean, African, and U. S. influences, and often focuses on religion and social problems n n Tourism and the Informal Economy Tourism provides locals with jobs n Informal jobs include street vending, shining shoes, & other jobs which provide income n

Spanish Speaking South America n History Native people dominated, but their language, Quechua, remains Ø Many aspects of Spanish culture survive Ø Spanish Language v Catholic Religion v Independence Movements brought liberation, but not ability to work together toward common goals Ø Government by the few characterize many countries of South America Ø

Spanish Speaking South America n Economics Subregion produces a wide variety of products n Oil is most important economic asset n Chile has been leader in economic success and cooperation in the region n n Education Most countries have high rates of education and literacy n Chile has an especially high rate of literacy n

Conquest & the End of Spanish Rule n The Inca n n n Located in rugged Andes Mountains of Peru Build an advanced civilization By 1500, Inca empire stretched 2500 miles along west coast of South America Ran from present-day Ecuador to Argentina Empire was linked by 20, 000 miles of road The Spanish Conquest n n Conquered by Pizarro and his soldiers Primarily interested in Inca gold and silver

Climate and Vegetation Climate Zones range from hot and humid Amazon River basin to dry and desert-like conditions of northern Mexico n 2 million sq mi covered by Amazon rain forest n Savannas n n Found in Brazil, Colombia, & Argentina

Human Environment Interaction Terraced Farming- ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes n Slash and burn- trees, brush, and grasses cut and burned to clear fields. n n Effective in humid and tropical areas n Amazon River basin

Human Environment Interaction n Argentina, Chile, Uruguay n n 3 most urbanized countries People are moving from rural areas into cities In search off jobs and a better life n Push/pull factors n

Human Environment Interaction n Tourism + increased employment n + more money introduced into local economy n - congestion n - pollution n