Vocab
Vertical climate zones
climate zones in a region that change according to elevation
Subsistence farming
farming with little left over to send to market
Reasons why the mighty Incan empire fell to the Spanish
The Spanish had a powerful calvary, soldiers who fought on horseback
The Spanish had superior weapons, such as cannons and steel blades
The Spanish brought European diseases and the Inca had no immunity
Which groups best represent the ethnic diversity of Brazil?
Africans, Portugese, and Native Brazilians
Immunity
natural defense against disease
Peninsulares
The Spaniards who had been born in Spain
Three ways in which people have adapted to the physical environment in the Andes and the Pampas
Learning how to use the land in vertical climate zones to farm a variety of crops
Building terraces for farming
Learning how to use the grasslands for ranching and to mine the mineral resources of the highlands
How was Brazil’s history different from the history of other countries in South America?
Unlike most countries in South America, Brazil was colonized by Portugal, not Spain. Brazil also achieved its independence fairly peacefully.
Criollos
Spaniards born in the Americas
Mercantilism
economic system in which colonies sent raw materials to the mother country; in return, colonists were expected to buy products from the country
Influences of Spanish and Native American cultures in the Andes and the Pampas today
The Spanish language still dominates the region
The Catholic religion, as well as Spanish-style architecture, art, and dance, are found in this region as well
Some indigenous ways of life, textiles, languages, and music have survive as well
Pedro I
Son of the king of Portugal
Stayed in Brazil after his family returned to Portugal and declared that Brazil was no longer part of Portugal
Made Brazil an independent country and became emperor
Referendum
vote held to reject or accept a law
Favela
Brazilian slum
Evo Morales
The first Native American to rule Bolivia in 500 years
Restored indigenous peoples’ rights
Redistributed income from the natural gas industry to the poor
Why is the soil in the Amazon rainforest not good for growing crops?
This is because most of the soil is not rich. The nutrients in the forest are stored in the trees. Nutrients are absorbed through the tree roots and distributed to leaves and branches.
Urban planning
the planning of a city
Export economy
economy based on exports
Jose de San Martin and Simon Bolivar
They led the rebellion and helped liberate countries throughout South America. This eventually freed this region from Spain.
Explain the changes in how Brazil uses sugarcane today. Include both environmental and economic reasons Brazil is using sugarcane in a new way.
Sugarcane was grown as an export crop to be used in food. Today sugarcane is being used to make fuel, known as ethanol. Sugarcane, unlike oil, is a renewable resource. This fuel source is also domestic, meaning Brazil does not have to buy imported oil.