SS6H2 The student will explain the development of Latin America and the Caribbean from European colonies to independent nations.

a. Describe the influence of African slavery on the development of the Americas.

b. Describe the influence of the Spanish and the Portuguese on the language and religions of Latin America.

c. Explain the Latin American independence movement; include the importance of Toussaint L’Ouverture, Simon Bolivar, and Miguel Hidalgo.

SS6H2a-African SlaveryEuropeans who came to the Americas needed a large & cheap labor force to mine gold and silver and to grow sugar cane.

Most natives died from diseases, violence with Europeans, or harsh working conditions.

Europeans looked to Africa for labor.Many African slaves died of disease or starvation.

SS6H2a-African SlaverySlave labor helped to build many businesses in Latin America, but the wealth went back to Europe.

Countries started gaining freedom from Europe in the 1800s, ending slavery.

Mulattoes = African & European ancestors60% Cubans & 50% Brazilians are Mulattoes

SS6H2b-Language & ReligionAs the Spanish and Portuguese conquered the indigenous people, they spread their language and religion.

Spanish: Most of Central & South America and the Caribbean Islands

Portuguese: BrazilSpanish or Portuguese = languages of government, business, and power

Native languages still spoken today

SS6H2b-Language & ReligionMostly Roman CatholicSpanish & Portuguese governments sent missionaries to New World to convert indigenous people to Christianity

Indigenous people often “said” they were practicing Catholicism, but continued to practice traditional beliefs

Some religions mixed with Catholic beliefs

SS6H2c-Independence MovementSpain & Portugal ruled most of Latin America for nearly 300 years

American Revolution in 1776 & French Revolution in 1789 encouraged Latin American countries to seek freedom

SS6H2c-Independence MovementToussaint L’OuvertureFamous black freedom fighter in Saint Domingue (present day Haiti)

Learned about freedom from his fatherPlantation owner allowed him to read & write

L’Ouverture - nickname because he could find “openings” in the enemies’ lines

SS6H2c-Independence Movement1789=French Revolution – granted freedom to blacks & mulattoes

1791=French gov’t changed its mindToussaint led slave army & defeated French troops

1793=French abolished slavery altogether so Toussaint fought against Spanish & British

Toussaint left in charge of Saint Domingue1802=Toussaint was captured & imprisoned in France (where he died soon after)

SS6H2c-Independence MovementSimon BolivarKnown as “Liberator” and “George Washington of South America”

Helped win independence for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela between 1810-1824

Bolivia is named after him

SS6H2c-Independence MovementSimon BolivarBorn to wealthy family in VenezuelaRead books about freedom & lived through French Revolution

Became dictator & tried to create one large South American country named Gran Colombia

Died of tuberculosis in 1830

SS6H2c-Independence MovementMiguel HidalgoFather of Mexican Independence, but he did not live to see independence

Priest who led peasant army against Spanish army in Mexico

1810-encouraged people to fight for freedom

1811-Tried for treason, found guilty, & executed

1821-Mexico won independence

SS6H3 The student will analyze important 20th century issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.

a. Explain the impact of the Cuban Revolution.

b. Explain the impact and political outcomes of the Zapatista guerrilla movement in Mexico.

SS6H3a-Cuban RevolutionPrior to 1950’sAmericans traded with Cuba, owned land in Cuba, & bought Cuba’s sugar cane crop

Late 1950’sBatista made himself dictator, Cubans were not happy (poverty, education, healthcare)

1959= Fidel Castro led rebels against Batista & won. He ruled nearly 50 years.

SS6H3a-Cuban RevolutionFidel CastroOrganized communist governmentAll farms, factories, & businesses owned by Cubans became government property

All property belonging to Americans now belonged to government

Arrested Batista supporters - most went before firing squad, others to prison

Newspapers, radio & TV were shut downChurches closed & property went to gov’t

SS6H3a-Cuban RevolutionFidel CastroHospitals & schools were improvedWomen & blacks were better educated & had better jobs

Everyone was guaranteed a wage (very low)

Christians were discriminated againstCuba became one of poorest & least free countries in the region