Introduction to Latin America

Our Neighbors to the South

Latin America: The Region

• Extends from US/ Mexico border to tip of South America

• Divided into Middle America, Central America, the Caribbean, & South America

Diverse Landscapes

Amazon Rainforest

Amazon River Basin

Iguaçu Falls

Andes Mountains

Diverse Landscapes

Pampas of Argentina

Panama Canal

Atacama DesertLake Titicaca

Pre-Colonialism

Colonialism•Motives - resources (gold, sugar, cotton) for European economies & converts to Christianity (Roman Catholicism)•Colonizers - viewed indigenous as savages and little more than slave labor•Missionaries - believed the indigenous were in need of Christian salvation•Indigenous - viewed conquerors as brutes•Interdependence - colonists relied on indigenous for labor and as guides; indigenous relied on colonists for protection from other tribes•Unequal relationship between colonizers and indigenous

Conquest & Colonialism

• Aztec and Incan empires quickly defeated by a few hundred Spanish

• Why??• Spanish had guns &

horses• Indigenous peoples

had no immunity to European diseases like smallpox

In this picture, Cortez is being treated like a god

Latin American Colonies

• Spanish & Portuguese brought their language & religion to the Americas

• Indigenous peoples blended with the conquistadores

• Mestizos - indigenous mixed with Spanish/Portuguese

• Mulattos - Africans mixed with Spanish/Portuguese

• Peninsulares - born in Spain & Portugal

• Creoles - Spanish/Portuguese born in Latin America

Social Pyramid

Post-Colonialism: Religion• Indigenous beliefs were polytheistic or animist• Some indigenous groups practiced human sacrifice• Jesuit missionaries converted most indigenous to

Catholicism• Indigenous temples & worship grounds destroyed

by colonists• Some indigenous groups blended their religions

with Catholicism<-- This cathedral in Mexico City was built using gold and

stones from Aztec temples

Independence•American & French Revolutions inspire colonists to revolt against Spain & Portugal•Simon Bolivar led revolutionary wars against Spain in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru & Panama•Upper classes remained in power•Mestizos, mulattoes & indigenous remained exploited by upper classes•Today, some indigenous groups are in conflict with upper classes (Mexico, Brazil)

200-1300 1500 1800

Conquest IndependencePre-Colonial

Independence

Tomorrow…

Modern Latin America!

Are there any major cities in Latin America, like NYC or LA? Do you recognize this city?

Hint: It’s the world’s 9th largest city by population (8.7 million people)and the 2nd largest metropolitan area in the world (18.6 million people).

Latin American Economies

Latin American Economies

• Many people considered poor compared to US standards (low per capita GDP)

• Make money from what the earth provides -- exports to other regions

• Many agricultural products Americans enjoy are shipped from Latin America

• Farming: coffee and cocoa (chocolate)• Fishing• Buy and sell goods at outdoor markets• Mexico, Venezuela & Brazil are large oil

producers

Indigenous Culture

• Mostly rural• Small

communities far from cities, i.e. mountains, rainforest

• Farmers & animal herders

Indigenous Culture

•Create traditional pottery & artwork

•Utilize materials from the land to build homes

Urban Life• Major cities -- much like

those in USA• Technologically

advanced• Tourist attractions• Office buildings• Public transportation• Museums & film

festivals

Buenos Aires, Argentina

San Jose, Costa Rica

Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Cultural Values: Family Structure

• Extended family is highly valued in Latin America

• Children help support the family and expected to care for elderly

• Extended family lives nearby or in same house

• Father is head of household

• Mother and daughters take care of household chores & family matters

Cultural Values: Music & Dance

What role does music and dance have in Latin Americanculture?

Values & Voice- Music & Dance

• Very musical culture• Plays important role in

celebrations, holidays & entertainment

• Tango• Salsa• Rumba• Mambo• Merengue• Samba• Norteño• Reggaetón

Sports• Futbol (soccer) is

the most popular sport

• Auto racing• Baseball &

basketball• Bullfighting & rodeo• Pro wrestling -

¡lucha libre!

Cultural Values: Religion

• Religion is important in the lives of many Latin Americans

• Roman Catholicism is the main religion practiced

• Religious celebrations play major role in lives of Latin Americans (Carnaval, Dias de los Muertos, Dia de los Reyes, Quinceañera)

HOT TOPICS

H/EI-Ecotourism• The idea of visiting a unique ecosystem without harming the environment

•Is this actually good for that region’s economy and environment?

H/EI- Maquiladoras

• Foreign owned factories in Mexico (USA, Korea, Japan, etc)

• Workers put together parts for popular electronics (cell phones, stereo equipment)

• Companies get cheap labor• Mexican workers get jobs • Is this actually good for

Mexico’s economy and environment?