Latin America
What was the mita system
System of forced labor (agriculture, construction, transportation). Rotational system of forced labor insisted by the Inca and later adopted by the Spanish
What were the main causes of death of the Indian population during the colonial period?
The introduction of infectious diseases to which the indigenous population had no immunity (small pox)
Define Polyculture
cultivation of a large number of crops in the same field at the same time. Practiced in the tropical low lands. Enables to cultivate many types of crops at once
Encomienda
Abundant land, not labor. European labor was not enough. Labor system whereby the indigenous population was entrusted to land owner. The land owner has some responsibility to the indigenous people living on his land. The responsibility to impart culture, primarily religion. in exchange for labor, they were taught religion in exchange
Among what population is folk Catholicism growing?
Afro-Latin Americans
List important characteristics of Amerindian agriculture. Describe Waru Waru agriculture
Animals domesticated. Technological: agriculture terraces, poly culture Waru Waru: Used in wetlands, raised fields, separated by canals
Located the culture areas of the Aztecs, Mayas, Chibchas, and Incas
Aztecs: Central Mexican Plateau Mayas: Yucatan Peninsula Chibchas: South America (The Columbian Andes) Incas: Andean South America
Describe some of the outstanding accomplishments of the major Amerindian cultures
Aztecs: Urban development and planning. Their capital city was largest, well planned urban center of the western hemisphere Mayas: Intellectual achievements (math, astronomy, architecture) Incas: Engineering/technological (highway systems, bridges, irrigation systems)
In which region of Central America is precipitation most abundant?
Caribbean Coast
Which region of Central America contains densely- populated, ash-filled valleys?
Central Highlands (Fertile valleys, mild climates)
What was the size and where the areas of concentration of the Amerindian population at the time of conquest
Estimated size was about 50 million. Mexico and Andean South America
What were the impacts of mercantilism on Latin American society?
Forced colonies into unequal, dependent trade relationships. Held back manufacturing and commerce. Colonies could not trade legally with each other or other countries. They traded illegally, leading to a disrespect for the law. Contributed towards the wars of independence.
Formal and Folk Catholicism
Formal: The set of beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic church as taught by the church from the Vatican Folk: Popular Catholicism. Catholicism mixed with indigenous religions or African religions
In which of Mexico's physiologic regions is petroleum abundant?
Gulf Coast (Vera Cruz, Tabasco, etc)
What has been the response of the Catholic church towards the diffusion of Protestantism in Latin America?
Increased lay-people involvement (To make it more inclusive) Increased Attention to social inequalities Efforts to strengthen the formal institutional church through conferences and lectures
Among what populations is religious syncrectism widespread?
Indigenous people and African people
Important impacts of European colonization on Amerindian agriculture
Introduction of new crops and animals. Labor relocation. Highly uneven distribution of land. Oppressive labor systems. Decline in Amerindian agriculture bc of lack of interest. Europeans introduced new crops that became more important. New tools(plow) Labor was needed for mining bc it was more important Terraces and drained and raised fields were abandoned
What is Latin America's fastest growing non-Catholic religion?
Protestantism
Land Grants
Land Grants: land was abundant but labor was not. Spain and Portugal offered incentives to come, live, and work the land(cultivate). This led to highly uneven distribution and agriculture of land
Describe the characteristics of Latin American Protestantism. What populations are most attracted to Protestantism?
Largest and most rapidly growing expanding non-Catholic region in Latin America. Largely indigenous and independent of foreign control Typically small churches in poor, low class urban neighborhoods, rural places, along country roads. Appeal to poor people mainly
Mercantilism
Lasted throughout entire colonial period. A trade monopoly. Colonies could not trade with each other or with other countries. Spain set prices on products and the levels of taxation
What Indian languages are widely spoken in Latin America and where?
Quechua: Inca Empire, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador Nahautl: Aztecs, Mexico, Guatemala Aymara: Bolivia and Peru Guarani: Paraguay, Southern Brazil
In which regions do whites predominate
Southernmost South America - The Southern Cone (Southernmost Brazil, Uruguay, Pampa region of Argentina, most of Chile)
Describe the topographic and climatic characteristics of the mexican plateau and the Yucatan Peninsula. What region is associated with an extensive limestone platform?
Mexican Plateau - Topography: plateau that descends in elevation towards the north. Surface is series of basins separated by low ranges. Climate is dry and increases towards the north. Yucatan Peninsula - Topography: lowland. The Yucatan Peninsula is associated with limestone platform that underlies the peninsula. Climate is wet/dry tropical
Locate areas of concentration of the African Population
Northeastern Brazil (Portuguese introduced plantation with African slave labor. The Caribbean (Plantation agriculture and lack of indigenous labor)
What countries recognize an Indian language as a second official language
Paraguay Bolivia Peru Ecuador
Briefly describe Latin America's social stratification
Small upper class Larger middle class Huge underclass
What was the largest city of pre-Columbian America?
Tenochtitlan
Name and locate the main urban settlements of pre-columbian Latin America. With which cultures were these settlements associated?
Tenochtitlan: Central Mexican Plateau (downtown Mexico City built on top of ruins) Chichen Itza: Maya Center (Yucatan Peninsula) Tikal: Maya Center (Guatemala) Cuzco: Inca Capital (Central Highlands of Peru)
In colonial times Spanish Latin America was divided into which four viceroyalties; what were their capitals? What did the Treaty of Tordesillas establish?
Vice Royalties: New Spain (Capital: Mexico City) Peru (Capital: Lima) New Granada (Capital: Bogota) Rio de la Plata (Capital: Beunos Aires) The treaty resolved conflict between Spain and Portugal