Europe and the Americas
This European country spread its language throughout Mexico and most of Central and South America.
What is Spain?
The Trans-Atlantic trade in African people grew hugely through the 1600s and 1700s. About 70% of them ended up working on this kind of farm.
What is a sugar plantation?
This Spanish conquistador landed in what's now Mexico in 1519. He renamed it "New Spain," even though he, and his many native allies, would not conquer it until 1521.
Who is Hernan Cortes?
In 1959, this Cuban revolutionary became the leader of a new Cuban government. He would remain leader for 48 years until he stepped down in 2008.
Who is Fidel Castro?
This starchy root originally came from the Andes, but now is eaten around the world in many ways. But most of us eat it mostly in its french fried way.
What is a potato?
Most Brazilians speak this Iberian language.
What is Portuguese?
In 1791, enslaved people on the French colony Saint Domingue rose up in rebellion. Thirteen years later, with their victory in hand, they declared themselves to be this independent country.
What is Haiti?
This island was one of the last possessions of the Spanish Empire, but is now a territory of the United States.
What is Puerto Rico?
The 26th of July Movement is named after a failed attack on the Moncada Barracks on July 26, 1953. The attack was part of an effort to overthrow this Cuban dictator.
Who is Fulgencio Batista?
Tacos Al Pastor, though popular now, would not have existed before 1500. Traditionally made from the meat of this animal, these 'shepherd's tacos' originate in the 1930s from Middle-Eastern immigrants.
What is a pig?
Spanish and Portuguese colonizers helped spread this branch of Christianity, which is still the most popular religion in Latin America.
What is Catholicism?
This sea voyage of a month or more was the second part of a journey that took over 12 million Africans in slavery to the Americas.
What is the Middle Passage?
What is the Santa Maria?
This 1961 invasion of Cuba failed before it ever really started, as Cubans in Florida openly talked about it before it ever started.
What is the Bay of Pigs invasion?
This kind of sauce, popular in that other Rome, could never have clung to their starchy noodles before 1500.
What is tomato sauce?
This tiny disease, brought over by Europeans, killed millions of people across Central and South America.
What is smallpox?
This man was captured at age 11 in what's now Nigeria, but bought his freedom at 21. Later, he published his Interesting Narrative to shocked audiences around Europe.
Who is Olaudah Equiano?
Francisco Pizarro left for South America in 1529, and by 1533 he had control of this Incan capital city, located in modern Peru.
What is Cuzco?
This confrontation, occurring in 1962 just 500 miles off the coast of Cuba, between the U.S.S.R and the U.S.A. nearly drove the powers into nuclear war.
What is the Cuban Missile Crisis?
This Soviet leader faced off against US President John Kennedy in 1962. Before that, he was also known for slamming his shoe on the UN podium.
Who is Nikita Khrushchev?
This invigorating bean was brought over to the Americas in 1720, but soon competed with sugar as one of the biggest crops produced in the Caribbean
What is coffee?
Palmares, a kingdom of runaway slaves, indigenous people, and other outcasts, was the largest of this kind of community.
What is a quilombo?
This labor system, originating with the Inca, was adapted by Spanish colonial leaders to find workers for the silver mines in Potosi.
What is mita?
The 26th of July Movement is named after a failed attack on the Moncada Barracks on July 26, 1953. The attack was part of an effort to overthrow this Cuban dictator.
Who is Fulgencio Batista?
This huge exchange of plants and animals between the Americas and Europe, Asia, and Africa is named after a famous Italian sailor.
What is the Columbian Exchange?