Key Civilizations, European Conquest, and Latin American Independence Movements

What was the Aztec Empire known for?

Advanced agriculture (chinampas), monumental architecture, and complex religion.

Who conquered the Aztecs and in what year?

Hernán Cortés in 1521.

What was the Inca Empire known for?

Engineering (roads, terraces), centralized government, and record-keeping (quipus).

Who conquered the Incas and in what year?

Francisco Pizarro in 1533.

What major contributions did the Maya civilization make?

Pyramids, astronomy, writing, and calendars.

What is the Olmec civilization known as?

The 'mother culture' of Mesoamerica.

What is the Columbian Exchange?

The global transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and ideas between the Old World and the New World after 1492.

What were the positive and negative impacts of the Columbian Exchange?

Positive: New crops like potatoes boosted populations. Negative: Smallpox devastated Native populations.

What was the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?

The forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas from the 16th to the 19th century.

What was the impact of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?

Created a racialized system of slavery, devastated African societies, and built wealth for European empires.

What was the Encomienda System?

A Spanish labor system granting colonists control over Native labor and land in exchange for 'protecting' and Christianizing them.

What are the social classes established during Spanish colonial rule?

Peninsulares, Creoles, Mestizos, Mulattos, Enslaved Africans, and Natives.

Who were the Conquistadors?

Spanish conquerors like Cortés and Pizarro who defeated Native empires.

What were the three main motives for European exploration and colonization? (3 Gs)

Gold (wealth), God (spread Christianity), and Glory (national power and personal fame).

Who was Bartolomé de las Casas?

A Spanish priest who criticized the mistreatment of Native Americans and argued for their rights.

What impact did the French Revolution have on Latin America?

Inspired calls for independence and showed colonies that monarchs could be overthrown.

What is nationalism in the context of Latin America?

Loyalty and devotion to one's nation, inspiring independence movements against Spanish rule.

Who was José de San Martín?

An Argentine revolutionary leader who liberated Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

Who was Simón Bolívar and what was his role?

A Venezuelan revolutionary known as 'The Liberator' who led independence movements across northern South America.

What was the Grito de Dolores?

A call to revolt against Spanish rule issued by Father Hidalgo in 1810.

What was the significance of Father Hidalgo in the Mexican independence movement?

He rallied Indigenous and mestizo peasants to spark Mexico's independence movement.

Creoles

European descent, born in Americas; wealthy but lacked top power, #2 on pyramid

Mulattos

Mixed European + African ancestry, #4 on pyramid

Enslaved Africans

Forced labor, brutal conditions, #5 on pyramid

Native Americans

Forced labor, heavy tribute, lowest rights ,#6 on pyramid

Mestizos

Mixed European + Native ancestry, #3 on pyramid

Peninsulares

Born in Spain; top positions, #1 on pyramid

What was the Aztecs Capital?

Tenochtitlán