South America

The Colonization of South America

Prior to the 1500s, the indigenous civilizations of Central and South America flourished, grew,
and developed. Large kingdoms were established, after absorbing smaller ethnic groups and tribes,
through wars and treaties. The end of the South American indigenous dynasties began with
European colonization, which began years after many of the indigenous civilizations had risen and fell.
During the 16th century, there was a major change in the lives of the South American
people. European traders, most notably an Italian trader named Christopher Columbus, sailed from
Europe in search of a new route to Asia. These traders had no knowledge of the North and South
American continents nor the people who lived there, but believed that they could find a sea route
from Europe to Asia for international trade.This sea route would make trade much faster than
travelling by land. Columbus’ voyage, however, did not take him to Asia, as expected.
His ships landed in South America’s Caribbean Sea on an island named Hispanola,
or present-day Haiti and Dominican Republic.

Multiple Choice

What led to the establishment of large kingdoms in Central and South America before the 1500s?

• Industrialization

• Absorbing smaller ethnic groups through wars and treaties

• European colonization

Multiple Choice

What marked the beginning of the end of South American indigenous dynasties?

• Internal conflicts among tribes

• European colonization

Multiple Choice

What was Christopher Columbus originally searching for on his voyage?

• The Caribbean Sea

• A new route to Asia

• Indigenous civilizations

Multiple Choice

What is the modern-day name of the island Columbus called Hispanola

• Cuba

• Haiti and Dominican Republic

As we have learned, South America has a rich history that spans hundreds of years. From the ancient Olmec and Mayan civilizations to prominent nation- states, the history of South America is very diverse, exciting, and progressive. In today’s time, South America can be described as a melting pot of cultures, traditions, languages, and customs. While historical events such as colonization has ended the once prominent indigenous kingdoms, a new, more modern South America has emerged from the ancient ruins. Today, South America is comprised of 12 sovereign countries, following a wave of independence from European colonial control. The most widely spoken languages in South America are Portuguese and Spanish. Some indigenous languages are still spoken, however, most are dispersed and confined to remote, uncontacted ethnic tribes. Brazil, the largest South American country, has the highest amount of indigenous languages spoken as well as the largest amount of uncontacted ethnic tribes. South America has an estimated
population of over 418 million people, which includes the descendants of indigenous peoples, Europeans, Africans, and multi-ethnic mestizos.

Multiple Choice

Which ancient civilizations are mentioned as part of South America's rich history?

• Mayan and Inca

• Olmec and Mayan

Multiple Choice

How is South America described in modern times?

• A region dominated by indigenous kingdoms

• A land of isolation

• A melting pot of cultures, traditions, languages, and customs

Multiple Choice

How many sovereign countries make up South America today?

• 10

• 12

Multiple Choice

What are the most widely spoken languages in South America?

• Portuguese and English

• Spanish and Portuguese

Multiple Choice

What is the estimated population of South America?

• Over 500 million

• Over 418 million

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a South American country?

• Argentina

• Panama

Multiple Choice

Who were the first inhabitants of South America?

• Europeans

• Indigenous peoples who migrated from Asia

Multiple Choice

How did the first inhabitants migrate from Asia to North America?

• By crossing the Atlantic Ocean

• Through the Bering Strait land bridge

• By traveling through Europe

Multiple Choice

What was the primary reason for migration across the Bering Strait?

• To explore new lands

• To establish trade routes

• To hunt migratory animals like bison and mammoths

Multiple Choice

Which civilization is known for being one of the most prominent to arise from South American migrations?

• Sumerians

• Inca

• Egyptians

Multiple Choice

What geographical feature connected Asia to North America during the Ice Age?

• Panama Canal

• The Bering Strait land bridge

• The Andes Mountains

The Olmec civilization is one of the earliest South American
civilizations. While originally established in present-day Mexico, the Olmec
civilization spanned as far as present-day Nicaragua and served as the precursor
to the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations. As the earliest great South American
civilization, the Olmec reign lasted from 1200 BCE to 400 BCE.
Characterized by massive stone-carved head sculptures, the physical and cultural
impact of the Olmec civilization is still visible in today’s time. It has been
discovered that the Olmec were among the first civilizations to cultivate cacao for
the production of chocolate. This early use of chocolate was found to be used in
ceremonial drinks and for important events.

The Olmec

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is true about the Olmec civilization?

• It originated in present-day Peru.

• It was known for its advanced writing system.

• It served as a precursor to the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations.

Multiple Choice

What were the Olmec civilization's massive stone sculptures primarily known for?

• Large stone-carved head sculptures.

• Showing scenes of battle.

• Depicting the daily lives of people.

Multiple Choice

What unique contribution did the Olmec civilization make regarding cacao?

• They introduced cacao to Europe.

• They traded cacao as currency.

• They were the first to cultivate cacao for chocolate production.

The Mayans were one of the most significant civilizations in the Americas.
Originating on the Yucatan peninsula in present- day Mexico between 2500 B.C
and 1500 A.D, the Mayan influence spread throughout Central and South America
and set the foundation for other civilizations that followed. The Mayans were a
unique and advanced civilization characterized by their elaborate pyramids and
great cities such as Tikal, Palenque, and Chichen Itza. At the height of the Mayan
empire, the civilization is estimated to have had a population of over 2,000,000
people. The Mayan civilization was advanced and excelled in mathematics,
agriculture, calendar making, and artwork. They used a system of writing called
hieroglyphics that is similar to the writing system of Ancient Egypt. For
entertainment, the Mayans played a game that was inherited from the Olmecs
called Ulama. This game was similar to modern-day football and was played in
large courts similar to a football stadium. Like the Olmecs, the Mayans also used
chocolate produced from the Cacao plant in ceremonial drinks. It is understood by
researchers that the Mayan knowledge of chocolate was passed down from the
ancient Olmecs that preceded them.

The Mayans

Multiple Choice

Where did the Mayan civilization originate?

• The Yucatan Peninsula in present-day Mexico

• The Amazon Rainforest

• The Great Plains of North America

Multiple Choice

What system of writing did the Mayans use?

• hieroglyphics

• Incan quipu
• pictographs

• Mayan alphabet

Multiple Choice

What sport did the Mayans play for entertainment, and where did it originate?

• Ulama, inherited from the Olmecs

• Lacrosse, inherited from the Aztecs

• Polo, inherited from the Egyptians

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Mayan civilization?

• Advanced calendar making

• Use of the cuneiform writing system

The Aztec Empire was another early civilization that flourished in the early Americas. Like its Olmec and Mayan predecessors, the Aztecs were a highly organized and advanced civilization that left a significant impact on the culture of modern-day Mexico, Central and South America. Characterized by their magnificent cities, the Aztecs established their capital city, Tenochtitlán, in 1325 AD. By the mid 1350s, Nahuatl, the Aztec main language, was the dominant language in the region. The influence of the Aztec culture and language is still felt today as Aztec words such as chili, avocado, chocolate, coyote,
and guacamole have been absorbed into the English and Spanish languages. Like the Mayans and the Olmecs, the Aztecs were originally a hunter-gather society that developed advanced agricultural practices and a powerful military. In 1440, a warrior named Montezuma became the ruler of the Aztecs and expanded the empire. At its height, the Aztec empire included over 500 small states inhabited by 5 to 6 million people. The Aztec empire fell in 1521 after being defeated in battle by Spain
under the military leadership of Hernán Cortés.

The Aztec

Multiple Choice

What was the capital city of the Aztec Empire?

• Tikal

• Tenochtitlán

Multiple Choice

Which Aztec ruler expanded the empire in 1440?

• Montezuma

• Pachacuti

Multiple Choice

What was the primary language of the Aztec Empire?

• Hieroglyphics

• Nahuatl

Multiple Choice

What led to the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521?

• A drought that caused food shortages

• Defeat in battle by Spain under Hernán Cortés

The Inca civilization was established between 1400 and 1533 CE in what is now
called Peru. During this time, it was not only considered the largest empire in the
Americas, but one of the largest in the world. It was recorded that the Incan
empire included at least 10 million people and was very diverse, with at least 30
languages being spoken throughout the kingdom. The empire spanned at least
5,500 km and included areas of present-day Ecuador, Peru, northern Chile,
Bolivia, Argentina and Colombia. As the largest and most successful civilization in
the Americas, the Inca were a fierce and conquering nation with sophisticated
infrastructure, structured government, and advanced society. They even had an
interesting communication system called a quipu, which was a series of strings
woven together that can be read and interpreted as stories, symbols, and
mathematical calculations. The Incans were farmers who grew an impressive
number of crops. these crops include: corn, bean, potatoes, avocado, tomato,
peppers, and cucumber. Incan farmers also cultivated cocoa, which was used in
the production of chocolate for festive and religious purposes.

The Inca

Multiple Choice

Where was the Inca civilization primarily established?

• Mexico

• Peru

Multiple Choice

What was the Incan communication system called?

• Cuneiform

• Quipu

Multiple Choice

Which of the following crops were grown by the Inca civilization?

• Rice and wheat

• Potatoes, tomatoes, and corn

Multiple Choice

How many languages were spoken in the Inca empire?

• 20

• 30

• 10