Latin AmericaLatin America

•MexicoMexico•West IndiesWest Indies

•Central AmericaCentral America•South AmericaSouth America

Why are they called Latin America?Why are they called Latin America?

• Because the land was settled by Spain and Portugal– Two of the “Latin” nations in Europe– Latin America is a region of contrasts, where

old, new, primitive, and modern exist side by side

• Explorers report that some are almost totally unaware of the world that exists outside their jungle homes

Inhabitants of Latin AmericaInhabitants of Latin America

• Hunters from Siberia who crossed the Bering Strait

• People from south sea islands came over on canoes

• Possibly people from Africa

• The Central and South American tribes were more numerous and more civilized than the North American tribes

Latin America MapLatin America Map

The Indians established three great The Indians established three great empiresempires

• Mayas

• Aztecs

• Incas

Mayan EmpireMayan Empire

MayasMayas

• Sometimes referred to as Mesoamerica– Divided into three time periods

• Formative (1200 BC to 100 AD)• Classic (100 AD to 900)*****• Post-Classic (900 to the time of the Spanish

Conquest 1518)

• Maya culture survived until after the Spanish Conquest

• 4 million still speak its languages today

About the MayasAbout the Mayas

• Shortly after the birth of Christ the gifted Mayas were living in the region that now comprises

• British Honduras• Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico• Guatemala

• Civilization may have been advanced as that of Ancient Egypt

Maya SocietyMaya Society

• Three cities were dominant– Tikal– Copan– Palenque

• Not much is known of the Maya culture because of Catholic Missionaries

Maya SocietyMaya Society

• Strong central government based on hereditary aristocracy

• The rulers were considered divine or descended from gods

• They had to perform certain rituals for the crops to grow and other good things to happen

• They believed in 9 layers of the underworld, the earth, and 3 levels of heaven

Maya SocietyMaya Society

• 2 Calendars– 260 and 365 day– Copied from the Olmecs

• Mayans were not a peaceful people– They waged war often

for:• Usual objectives• Human Sacrifice

Maya SocietyMaya Society

• Tikal- The greatest classic Maya center

• Built a great ditch and wall 3 to 5 miles from the cities center

• Population of about 100,000

Collapse of the Maya’sCollapse of the Maya’s

• Invaders

• Economic Problems

• Food Distribution and trade

• New Leaders- Could not adapt to new ways

• Peasant Revolts (Final straw)– People abandon the cities: Merged with the

Toltec's (Yucatan)