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GWHMT_VA_WHII.7a Teacher_Final
Standard WHII.7a
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Latin American revolutions of the
nineteenth century by
a) describing the colonial system as it existed by 1800.
Essential Skills
Identify, analyze, and interpret primary and secondary sources to make
generalizations about events and life in world history. (WHII.1a)
Use maps, globes, artifacts, and pictures to analyze the physical and cultural
landscapes of the world. (WHII.1b)
The Colonial System in Latin America
Interactive Whiteboard Activity
Resource
Project the Graphic Organizer 6: Table or Matrix on the whiteboard.
Activity
In this activity, students will describe the characteristics of the colonial system in
Latin America as it existed by 1800. Begin by reminding students that after the
Spanish and Portuguese conquered large areas of Latin America, they used various
institutional structures and strategies to maintain control of their now colonies.
Project the Graphic Organizer on the whiteboard and label the columns:
“Government,” “Economy,” and “Society.” Divide the class into three groups
corresponding to the column titles. Ask the students’ groups to convene and describe
the characteristics of the colonial system in Latin America around 1800 in their
designated area. Then, ask each group to choose a representative to write their
responses on the whiteboard and make a brief oral presentation to the class.
Conclude by leading a class discussion of how these characteristics enabled Spain
and Portugal to maintain control of their colonies and were difficult to change after
Latin American independence. Have students review Glencoe World History: Modern
Times Chapter 6, Section 3 and Chapter 14, Section 4 if they have difficulty.
Critical Thinking
Determining Cause and Effect Ask the students to review the completed graphic
organizer on the whiteboard. Ask: How did Spain and Portugal maintain control
of their Latin American colonies? (Students’ responses should refer to the means
of political, economic, and social control described in the characteristics of the
colonial system displayed on the graphic organizer. Government: controlled by
Europe, European viceroys placed in Latin America given governing authority.
Economy: export economy based on mining and cash crops, use of mita and
encomienda systems. Society: stratified, rigid social classes based on country or
origin and race, the Catholic Church.)
Making Connections Tell students that the revolutions in Latin America in the
nineteenth century were influenced by the characteristics of the colonial system they
sought to undo. However, many characteristics of the colonial system continued to
affect Latin American countries after they obtained their independence. In fact, one
can still see these influences today Ask: Which characteristics of the colonial
system persisted in an independence Latin America? Why? (Students’ answers
may vary. Many Latin American governments continued to mirror that of the
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GWHMT_VA_WHII.7a Teacher_Final
colonizing power, Catholicism remains the main religion practiced, an export
economy dependent on extraction and cash crops remained. Answers may include
that once it developed, the colonial system put in place was difficult to change.)
Answers to Student Activity
1. Peninsulares: a person born on the Iberian Peninsula; typically, a Spanish or
Portuguese official who resided temporarily in Latin America for political and
economic gain and then returned to Europe.
Creoles: a person of European descent born in the New World and living there
permanently.
Mestizos: a person of mixed European and Native American descent
Mulattoes: a person of mixed African and European descent
Slaves: a person held in servitude; in colonial Latin America most were of
African descent
2. In colonial Latin America whites of European descent were at the top of social
hierarchy, while blacks of African descent were at the bottom.
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