Central America and the Caribbean

Central America and the Caribbean

by Spencer Clark

​Terms and Names

• ​cultural hearth the heartland or place of origin of a major culture

• ​United Provinces of Central America the name adopted by Central America when it declared independence from Mexico

• ​Panama Canal shipping canal that cuts across Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans

• ​calypso music, originally from Trinidad, that combines musical elements from Africa, Spain, and the United States

• ​reggae music developed in Jamaica in the 1960s

• ​informal economy jobs without benefits, such as street vending and shining shoes, that provide people with a small income

​NATIVE AND COLONIAL CENTRAL AMERICA

​Central America is a cultural hearth. A cultural hearth is the heartland or place of origin of a major culture. The Maya built a great civilization in the region.

​NATIVE AND COLONIAL CENTRAL AMERICA

​The Maya built cities with temples and palaces. Each independent city was ruled by a god-king and served as a center for religious ceremony and trade.

​NATIVE AND COLONIAL CENTRAL AMERICA

​The Spanish conquest of Mexico opened the door to Central America. Spanish settlers and native peoples are the dominant groups in this region. People from Africa make up a sizable percentage of the population in some Central American countries.

​NATIVE AND COLONIAL CENTRAL AMERICA

​In 1823, Central America declared its independence from Mexico. It took the name of the United Provinces of Central America. By the late 1830s, the United Provinces had split into separate nations. These became El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Multiple Choice

What changes occurred in the 1830s?

• By the late 1830s, the United Provinces had split into separate nations.

• Time Travel

• By the late 1830s, the United Tacos had split into separate nations.

NATIVE AND COLONIAL CARIBBEAN

​The original inhabitants of the Caribbean islands called themselves the Taino. The Spanish settled the islands and established sugar plantations. Many Taino died from disease and mistreatment on the plantations

NATIVE AND COLONIAL CARIBBEAN

​European slave traders brought Africans to the Caribbean to work on the plantations. By the 1800s, the Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish claimed islands. Most used slave labor on sugar plantations.

NATIVE AND COLONIAL CARIBBEAN

​In the 1700s, Haiti was a French colony. African slaves worked on Haiti's sugar plantations. In the 1790s, Toussaint L'Ouverture led a slave rebellion. By 1804, Haiti was independent

NATIVE AND COLONIAL CARIBBEAN

​As a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Cuba achieved independence from Spain. After occupation by U.S. forces, Cuba became self-governing in 1902.

Multiple Choice

Who was Toussaint L’Ouverture?

• In the 1790s, Toussaint L'Ouverture led a slave rebellion.

• In the 1990s, Toussaint L'Ouverture led a slave rebellion.

• In the 1890s, Toussaint L'Ouverture led a slave rebellion.

• In the 2790s, Toussaint L'Ouverture led a slave rebellion.

CULTURAL BLENDS

​The Spanish were the most important group of European settlers in Central America. Their language is still dominant. Catholicism is the major religion.

CULTURAL BLENDS

​In the Caribbean, a greater variety of influences were at work. The Spanish, French, British, Danish, and Dutch mixed with Africans and Native Americans

CULTURAL BLENDS

​Religions of the Caribbean include Catholicism and Protestantism. There is also Santeria, which combines Catholic and African elements. Voodoo is practiced in Haiti. Rastafarianism is found in Jamaica.

CULTURAL BLENDS

​Spanish is spoken on the most populous islands in the Caribbean. There are also many French speakers. English dominates in Jamaica. There is also some Dutch and Danish spoken in the region.

Multiple Choice

What languages are spoken in this region?

• Spanish, French, English, Dutch

• Canadian, French, English, Dutch

• Spanish, French, Russian, Dutch

• Choctaw, French, English, Dutch

ECONOMICS: JOBS AND PEOPLE

​Sugar cane is the Caribbean's largest export crop. Other export crops are bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, and spices. Many people work on farms and plantations. However, the average income is low.

ECONOMICS: JOBS AND PEOPLE

​In Central America, too, the main source of income is farming. Plantations here produce 10 percent of the world's coffee and bananas.

ECONOMICS: JOBS AND PEOPLE

​Trade is important because of the Panama Canal. This great shipping canal cuts across Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

ECONOMICS: JOBS AND PEOPLE

​In Central America, because most people make their living on farms, the population is largely rural. In the Caribbean, most people live in urban areas. They hope to find jobs in tourism, but many end up living in slums.

Multiple Choice

What are the region’s important export crops?

• Sugar cane, coconuts, citrus fruits, pinto beans, and spices

• Raising canes, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, and spices

• Sugar cane, brazil nuts, citrus fruits, coffee, and spices

• Sugar cane, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, and spices

​POPULAR CULTURE, TOURISM, AND JOBS

​In both Central America and the Caribbean, music has been influenced by the local cultures.

​POPULAR CULTURE, TOURISM, AND JOBS

​Calypso music began in Trinidad. It combines musical elements from Africa, Spain, and the United States. Calypso songs have improvised lyrics.

​POPULAR CULTURE, TOURISM, AND JOBS

​

Reggae began in Jamaica in the 1960s. Many of the songs deal with social problems and religion. African, Caribbean, and American music fed into reggae.

​POPULAR CULTURE, TOURISM, AND JOBS

​

​Education and jobs are major concerns in Central America and the Caribbean. Rapid population growth helps cause high unemployment

​POPULAR CULTURE, TOURISM, AND JOBS

​Tourism is important. Island residents can work in hotels and restaurants. There is also an informal economy. People may work as street vendors or offer small services such as shoe shining to earn income.

Multiple Choice

music that combines elements from Africa, Spain, and the United States

• Panama Canal

• calypso

• reggae

• hot pocket

Multiple Choice

a region that declared its independence from Mexico in 1823

• United Provinces of Central America

• reggae

• cultural hearth

• moose antlers

Multiple Choice

Jamaican music that deals with social problems and religion

• cheeseburger

• Panama Canal

• United Provinces of Central America

• reggae

Multiple Choice

place of origin of a major culture

• reggae

• cultural hearth

• Panama Canal

• alakablam

Multiple Choice

connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans

• Panama Canal

• cultural hearth

• United Provinces of Central America

• reggae