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