South America is frequently associated with the New World. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela make up South America. With Spanish and Portuguese colonization, South America has a rich cultural blend with indigenous and European culture. Today, South America consists of a rich climate with islands and glaciers making up for its diverse wildlife and scenery.
South America's history began with the arrival of Asiatic people from North America about 12,000 years ago. Civilizations began to develop in 5000 BC. The Incan civilization became one of the most well know civilizations in South America. The civilization rose in the 1430s in the Andes region; they were known for their strong military and expansive civilization. Incans also developed a tracking system, known as quipu, a series of knots to keep track of money or other numerical expenses. However, the Incan empire collapsed with the arrival of the Spanish. Smallpox and other diseases withered the native population, leading the Spanish to take control over the natives. The Spanish faced conflicting interests with the Portuguese, so they both came up with a compromise known as the Treaty of Tordesillas. Portugal would get colonies in Africa, Asia, and Brazil; Spain would have ownership over the Americas.
Similar to the Caribbean region, the Europeans began to bring in slaves to South America for manual labor since the natives were dying from disease. Sugar and silver were huge in the landscape, so slaves were forced to work in the plantations and mines for hours. In return, the Europeans would convert them to Catholicism.
300 years later, independence took place and many of the colonies began to form their new governments, but they faced challenges. Civil wars began to break out in several countries, such as Chile and Peru, over the fight to control and gain more land. Additionally, the rise of authoritarian leaders , known as caudillos, are rising in several South American countries.
U.S.A begins to gain foreign influence in Latin America as they were highly influential in building the Panama Canal. They were highly influential in Latin American affairs. Also, during the 20th century, women began to gain the right to vote in several countries. 20th century also marked tension between the relationship of South American countries and United States with the rise of communism in Eastern Europe. Many communist revolutions began to occur throughout South America.
Today, South American countries have been establishing or maintaining their democracy. Many women have been elected to hold administrative roles, such as presidents and prime ministers.
South America's history began with the arrival of Asiatic people from North America about 12,000 years ago. Civilizations began to develop in 5000 BC. The Incan civilization became one of the most well know civilizations in South America. The civilization rose in the 1430s in the Andes region; they were known for their strong military and expansive civilization. Incans also developed a tracking system, known as quipu, a series of knots to keep track of money or other numerical expenses. However, the Incan empire collapsed with the arrival of the Spanish. Smallpox and other diseases withered the native population, leading the Spanish to take control over the natives. The Spanish faced conflicting interests with the Portuguese, so they both came up with a compromise known as the Treaty of Tordesillas. Portugal would get colonies in Africa, Asia, and Brazil; Spain would have ownership over the Americas.
Similar to the Caribbean region, the Europeans began to bring in slaves to South America for manual labor since the natives were dying from disease. Sugar and silver were huge in the landscape, so slaves were forced to work in the plantations and mines for hours. In return, the Europeans would convert them to Catholicism.
300 years later, independence took place and many of the colonies began to form their new governments, but they faced challenges. Civil wars began to break out in several countries, such as Chile and Peru, over the fight to control and gain more land. Additionally, the rise of authoritarian leaders , known as caudillos, are rising in several South American countries.
U.S.A begins to gain foreign influence in Latin America as they were highly influential in building the Panama Canal. They were highly influential in Latin American affairs. Also, during the 20th century, women began to gain the right to vote in several countries. 20th century also marked tension between the relationship of South American countries and United States with the rise of communism in Eastern Europe. Many communist revolutions began to occur throughout South America.
Today, South American countries have been establishing or maintaining their democracy. Many women have been elected to hold administrative roles, such as presidents and prime ministers.