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Latin America

Did you know about Latin Americas fascinating history? There were many different civilizations

some of which were overpowered by Spaniards who craved the riches the civilizations had. The wealth

Spain had gained hadnt gone unnoticed by other European countries who craved for gold as well.Many

of the countries in Latin America had fought against European rule for independence. Close to more

modern times Latin America went through many economic and political changes.

In Latin America there was a variety of civilizations and many of them later became conquered

by Spaniards. Some of the early civilizations include the Olmec, Aztec, and the Inca. The Olmecs were

Latin Americas first civilization. Many Olmecs controlled mineral resources such as jade and obsidian.

Around A. D. 1200 the Aztec people moved into central Mexico. The Aztecs built floating gardens or

rafts filled with mud. In the 1400s the powerful Inca civilization lived in what is now Peru. The Inca

Empire founded military posts and had a complex system of record keeping. Workers built irrigation

systems. In both the Inca and the Aztec civilization they build roads and bridges.Around the 1400 and

1500s Spanish explorers came to the Americas and were impressed by the beautiful cities and the great

riches and wanted that to be theirs. Hermann Cortes led an army to Tenochtitlan the Aztec capital which

was filled with gold. The Aztecs primitive weapons didnt stand a chance against the armys weapons.

Not only did the weapons kill the Aztec, but the diseases such as smallpox and the measles did too. TheInca also experienced this, but under the hand of Francisco Pizarro who desired their gold.

The wealth Spain gained from these invasions was great. Many other European countries wanted

the same wealth and power so these countries started taking over areas of the Americas.Even though the

Europeans claimed the land for themselves there were Native Americans already living there which were

enslaved to grow cash crops. The diseases of the Europeans reduced the numbers of the Natives so

Africans were enslaved and brought to the Americas to work.

Many countries in Latin America fought against European rule for independence. The first

successful revolt took place in Haiti. Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin fought for independence for

different areas in South America. After Latin America won their independence laws were passed to endslavery. Some Africans made political and economic gains, but did not have as many rights as Latin

Americans.Most Native Americans lived in poverty. Latin American nations wanted their countries to be

under control, but many problems made that difficult. Some of these difficulties include role of religion,

political conflicts, and tensions between the rich and poor.

Beginning in the late 1800s and early 1900s Latin America went through many economic and

political changes.These changes started with the United States and Spain fighting over Cuba. Spain was

defeated and Cuba became a republic under U.S. protection. In the 1900s the U. S. helped Panama win its

freedom from Colombia. Panama then allowed the United States to build the Panama Canal. Latin

America borrowed a great amount of money from banks to boost economic growth. This action left them

in debt to other countries, prices rose, wages fell, and jobs were lost. In 1959, Fidel Castro set up acommunist state in Cuba. At the same time different countries were separated by civil wars. During the

1980s political and economic reforms were made that strengthened Latin American countries. Today the

government faces population increases, illegal drugs which causes more crime and corruption, and

differences between the rich and the poor.

Now you finally know about some of Latin Americas amazing history. Some of which included

Spaniards conquering early civilizations or about how invading areas for riches gained Spain lots of

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Latin America

wealth and power.Another important thing is many of the countries in Latin America fought for

independence from European rule. Finally, Latin America went through many changes in more modern

times bringing Latin America to where it is today.