History of Latin America facts for kids

The term Latin America mainly refers to countries in the New World where people speak Spanish or Portuguese.

Before Europeans arrived in the late 1400s and early 1500s, many native groups lived here. Some had advanced civilizations, like the Olmec, Maya, Muisca, and Inca.

A map of the Americas from the 1600s.

Spain and Portugal took control of the region. They brought Roman Catholicism and their languages. They also brought African slaves to work in their colonies.

In the early 1800s, most Spanish American areas fought for and won their independence. Only Cuba and Puerto Rico remained under Spanish rule for longer. Brazil, which had become a monarchy separate from Portugal, became a republic later in the 1800s. Even after gaining independence, slavery was not immediately ended in these new countries. The new nations faced political and economic problems. Great Britain and the United States gained a lot of influence, leading to a kind of "neo-colonialism." This meant countries were politically free, but foreign powers still had a lot of economic control.

What "Latin America" Means

The idea that parts of the Americas are culturally linked to European countries that speak "Romance" languages (like Spanish, Portuguese, French) started in the 1830s. A French writer, Michel Chevalier, thought people in this part of the Americas were of a "Latin race." He believed they could team up with "Latin Europe" against "Germanic" or "Anglo-Saxon" areas.

Later, leaders in Latin America liked this idea. They looked to France, not Spain or Portugal, for cultural inspiration. The name "Latin America" was actually created in France under Napoleon III. He used it to suggest a cultural connection with France and to make France a leader in the region.

In the mid-1900s, especially in the United States, people sometimes called all the land south of the U.S. "Latin America." This was often when talking about its current politics or economy. But now, people often say "Latin America and the Caribbean" to be more accurate.

Since the idea of "Latin America" is quite new (from the 1800s), it's not really correct to talk about "a history of Latin America" before Europeans arrived. However, the many different cultures that existed before Christopher Columbus had a big impact on the societies that formed after the conquest. So, we need to learn about them.

Ancient Times: The Pre-Columbian Period

What we now call Latin America has been home to people for thousands of years, possibly as long as 30,000 years. It's hard to know exact dates for early civilizations because they didn't write things down much. But advanced societies grew in places like the Andes mountains and Mesoamerica.

The oldest known human settlement in this area is at Monte Verde in Chile, dating back about 14,000 years. Over time, people spread across North and South America and the Caribbean islands. Latin America is a huge area with diverse geography. This meant people were not spread out evenly.

Complex civilizations grew in Mesoamerica (central and southern Mexico and Central America) and the Andes mountains. These included the Quechua, Aymara, and Chibcha. These groups lived in fixed settlements and farmed.

They grew lots of maize in Mesoamerica and potatoes in the Andes. This extra food allowed societies to grow beyond just farmers. It led to social classes, political leaders, religious groups, and armies. Cities grew, people specialized in crafts, and goods were traded or paid as tribute. In the Andes, llamas were used to carry goods. Mesoamerica didn't have large animals for work or meat. Mesoamerican civilizations developed writing systems. In the Andes, people used knotted cords called quipus for counting and records.

In the Caribbean, groups like the Arawak or Tainos lived in settled villages. In Brazil, many Tupian peoples also lived in fixed settlements. Other groups were "semi-sedentary," meaning they farmed and had villages but moved when the soil wore out. "Non-sedentary" peoples lived in small groups, didn't farm, and moved around a lot. By the year 1000 CE, millions of people lived in the Western Hemisphere.

The last two great civilizations, the Aztecs and Incas, became powerful in the 1300s and 1400s. Even after Europeans conquered them, the way these densely populated regions were organized often stayed the same. The presence of these native populations affected how European rule played out. Later, in the colonial and independent eras, these ancient civilizations became a source of pride for people born in the Americas. Some modern Latin American countries use the idea of indigenismo to show their native roots. This often involves criticizing their colonial past.

Sports in Ancient Times

When empires spread, they often brought their sports with them, like football, baseball, boxing, and basketball. In Latin America, we can see how sports showed the power differences between the rich colonial rulers and the poorer native people.

For example, in ancient Mesoamerica, horse riding contests were a popular activity. But many colonial officials tried to stop poorer native people from using horses for these games. This was an attempt to control them. However, this didn't work because many native people needed horses for their work, which actually benefited the upper class.

Horses were very important in early Latin American sports. Besides the riding contests, there was the charreada in Mexico and other horse activities in areas that became Argentina and Uruguay. These sports allowed native people to show their talent, honor, and teamwork. They were also available to poorer native people because horses were not too expensive for them compared to the colonial elite.

The Colonial Era

Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492. After that, powerful European countries sent ships to the "New World" to set up trade and colonies. They also wanted to convert native peoples to Christianity. Spain focused on building its empire in the central and southern parts of the Americas. This was because these areas had large, settled societies like the Aztec, Inca, Maya, and Muisca. Spain could use their people and resources, and there was a lot of silver and gold. Portugal built its empire in Brazil, focusing on growing sugar. Brazil didn't have large, complex societies or many minerals.

During European colonization, most of the native population died, mainly from diseases like smallpox and measles. These diseases were brought by Europeans, and native people had no immunity. This event is known as the Columbian exchange.

The Spanish conquerors also used violence against native people. They banned native culture and religion. The Spanish even burned many Maya Codices, which were like books filled with information about astrology, religion, and gods. Only four of these codices are known to exist today. The Spanish also melted down countless golden artworks to send the gold back to Spain. They destroyed many pieces of art they saw as unchristian.

Religion in the Colonial Era

Traveling to the New World

The Spanish King controlled who could travel to his colonies. Travelers had to register with the House of Trade in Seville. The King wanted to make sure only Christians went to the New World. So, people's backgrounds were checked to make sure they weren't non-Christians pretending to be Christian. This helped the Spanish King keep strict religious control over his empire.

For example, Francisca de Figueroa, an African-Iberian woman, wanted to go to Cartagena in 1600. She had a witness say that she and her family had always been "Old Christians" and were not from Moorish or Jewish families. Even though she was of African descent, she was allowed to travel in 1601. This shows how important religion was for traveling to the Americas during colonial times. People had to follow Christian rules to get permission from the King.

Religion in Latin America

Once in the New World, religion was still very important in daily life. Many laws were based on religious beliefs, and these often clashed with the many other cultures in colonial Latin America. A big clash was between African and Iberian cultures. This led to harsh punishments for people accused of witchcraft, both African and Iberian. Europeans believed a witch rejected God and worshipped the devil. This was not allowed by authorities in Spain or Latin America.

The trial of Paula de Eguiluz shows how appealing to Christianity could help reduce punishment, even in a witch trial. Paula de Eguiluz was an African woman born into slavery. She was known as a sorceress. In 1623, Paula was accused of witchcraft and saying things against Church teachings. When her trial started in 1624, she didn't know how the legal system worked. But she quickly learned that she needed to show her Christian faith. Before her second hearing, Paula correctly "recited the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Salve Regina, and the Ten Commandments." In her third hearing, Paula ended her testimony by asking God to forgive her sins and asking for a merciful punishment. Because she showed her Christian faith, Paula received a minimal punishment and returned to her life as a slave. The Spanish King cared deeply about keeping Christianity strong in Latin America. This helped them rule Latin America for over 300 years.

The 1800s: After Independence

Countries in Latin America by date of independence.

Following the examples of the American Revolution and French Revolution, most of Latin America became independent by 1825. Independence broke up the old trade system that existed under the Spanish Empire. It also made the new countries more dependent on money from countries that were already industrialized, like Great Britain, France, and the United States. These powerful nations started to play a big role in the region's economy.

Independence also created a new ruling class and thinkers in Latin America. They sometimes avoided Spanish and Portuguese ideas, looking instead to other Catholic European countries, especially France, for new cultural models. They didn't ask for ideas from native peoples.

In Spanish America, efforts to keep the large new states together, like Gran Colombia or the Federal Republic of Central America, failed. This led to many conflicts within and between the new countries. Brazil, however, stayed a united monarchy and avoided these civil wars. Internal wars were often between "federalists" (who wanted strong local governments) and "centrists" (who wanted a strong central government). The centrists often won by using military force.

The new nations inherited the diverse cultures of the colonial era. They tried to create a new identity based on shared European language and culture. But within each country, there were cultural and class differences that caused problems and hurt national unity.

For several decades, countries worked to build a sense of national identity. Most new borders were based on old colonial administrative areas. But in many places, borders were unstable, and new states fought wars over resources, especially in the second half of the 1800s.

Important conflicts included the Paraguayan War (1864–70), where Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay fought Paraguay. Paraguay was completely defeated and lost most of its population. In the War of the Pacific (1879–84), Chile defeated Bolivia and Peru. Chile gained control of areas rich in saltpeter, and Bolivia became a landlocked country.

By the mid-1800s, the region also faced a growing United States, which wanted to expand its territory and influence. In the Mexican–American War (1846–48), Mexico lost more than half of its land to the United States. In the 1860s, France tried to control Mexico indirectly. In South America, Brazil took control of large parts of the Amazon Basin from its neighbors. In the 1880s, the United States became more aggressive in protecting its interests in Latin America. This led to the creation of the Pan-American Conference, the building of the Panama Canal, and U.S. involvement in Cuba's final war for independence.

Most Latin American economies in the 1800s relied on exporting natural resources. This allowed a wealthy elite to develop. The changes from colonial times created a huge gap between rich and poor. A few rich landowners controlled most of the land and resources. For example, in Brazil by 1910, 85% of the land belonged to just 1% of the people. These "Great Owners" controlled local activities and were the main employers. This led to a society where peasants depended on these rich landowners and mining bosses.

Political instability and the economy led to the rise of caudillos. These were military chiefs who held power because of their military skills and ability to give favors. Governments were supposed to be democratic, either presidential or parliamentary. But both were often taken over by a caudillo or a small group of powerful people (an oligarchy).

The political scene had two main groups: conservatives and liberals. Conservatives believed that keeping the old social order was best for stability. Liberals wanted progress by making the economy freer and encouraging individual effort. Popular uprisings often happened and were put down. For example, 100,000 people died during a Colombian revolt between 1899 and 1902. Some countries, like Uruguay, and partly Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, and Colombia, managed to have some democracy. Others were clearly oligarchies or authoritarian, but sometimes these rulers had support from many people. All these governments wanted to keep Latin America's profitable role in the world economy as a supplier of raw materials.

The 1900s

Early 1900s (1900–1929)

A 1903 political cartoon showing President Roosevelt intimidating Colombia to get the Panama Canal Zone.

At the start of the 1900s, the United States continued to intervene in Latin America to protect its interests. President Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick Doctrine" said the U.S. would use its power to keep European countries out of the Americas and protect its own interests.

After the Spanish–American War, Cuba and the U.S. signed the Platt Amendment in 1902. This allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs whenever it felt it was needed. In Colombia, the U.S. wanted land in Panama to build a canal. Colombia said no, but a rebellion in Panama gave the U.S. an opportunity. The U.S. supported Panama's independence, and the new nation gave the U.S. the land for the canal. These were not the only times the U.S. intervened. In the early 1900s, there were several military actions in Central America and the Caribbean, mostly to protect business interests. These were called the "Banana Wars."

The biggest political change in the 1910s happened in Mexico. In 1908, President Porfirio Díaz, who had been in power since 1884, promised to step down in 1910. Francisco I. Madero, a moderate leader, started an election campaign. Díaz changed his mind and ran again. Madero was arrested, and Díaz won. These events caused uprisings, starting the Mexican Revolution.

Key leaders emerged: Pancho Villa in the north, Emiliano Zapata in the south, and Madero in Mexico City. Madero's forces won in early 1911, and he became president. Madero tried to make the government more democratic but didn't satisfy many regional leaders. Zapata broke with Madero because Madero didn't address land claims. In 1913, a general named Victoriano Huerta led a coup with U.S. support, and Madero was killed.

Other revolutionary leaders like Villa, Zapata, and Venustiano Carranza continued to fight Huerta's government. Villa and Zapata took Mexico City in 1914 but then left. This allowed Carranza to take control of the central government. He then fought against Villa and Zapata's armies. The Mexican Constitution of 1917, which is still used today, was created. Zapata was killed in 1919, Carranza in 1920, and Villa in 1923. With these rivals gone, Álvaro Obregón became president, and Mexico became more peaceful. The Constitution brought a liberal government, but some hopes of the working and rural classes were not fully met.

Sports

Sports became very popular, drawing many fans to large stadiums. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) encouraged Olympic participation. After the 1922 Latin American Games in Rio de Janeiro, the IOC helped set up national Olympic committees. In Brazil, however, sports and political rivalries slowed progress. The 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris and the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam saw many more Latin American athletes participate. English and Scottish engineers brought football (soccer) to Brazil in the late 1800s. Organizations like the YMCA helped train coaches.

Mid-1900s (1930–1960)

The Great Depression was a huge challenge. The world economy collapsed, and demand for raw materials from Latin America dropped sharply, hurting many economies. Leaders in Latin America moved away from old economic policies. They started "import substitution industrialization." The goal was to make their economies self-sufficient, with their own industries and large middle classes, so they wouldn't be so affected by global economic ups and downs.

Even though this could hurt U.S. businesses, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945) understood that the U.S. couldn't completely oppose it. Roosevelt started the "Good Neighbor policy" and allowed some American companies in Latin America to be taken over by the local governments. Mexican President Lázaro Cárdenas nationalized American oil companies, creating Pemex. Cárdenas also gave land to many people, fulfilling a goal of the Mexican Revolution. The Platt Amendment was also removed, freeing Cuba from U.S. interference in its politics. World War II also brought the U.S. and most Latin American nations closer.

After the war, the spread of communism became a major issue for the U.S. and Latin American governments. The start of the Cold War forced governments to choose between the United States and the Soviet Union. After the 1948 Costa Rica Civil War, Costa Rica created a new constitution and became the first recognized democracy in Latin America. Its new government banned a standing military and focused on internal issues.

Several socialist and communist uprisings happened in Latin America throughout the 1900s. The most successful was in Cuba. The Cuban Revolution was led by Fidel Castro against the government of Fulgencio Batista, who had been a dictator in Cuba since 1933. Since the 1860s, Cuba's economy focused on growing sugar, with 82% sold to the U.S. by the 1900s. Even after the Platt Amendment was removed, the U.S. still had a lot of influence in Cuba.

Cuba had a modern constitution from 1940, but it suffered from corruption and dictators like Batista. Batista started his last time as head of government with a coup in 1952. The revolutionaries wanted to restore the constitution, create a democratic state, and free Cuba from U.S. influence. They succeeded in overthrowing Batista on January 1, 1959.

Castro, who first said he was not a socialist, started land reforms and nationalized companies in May 1959. This angered the Eisenhower administration (1953–61). The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations, froze Cuban money in the U.S., and placed a trade ban on Cuba in 1960. The Kennedy administration (1961–1963) supported an invasion of Cuba by exiles. The invasion failed and made the revolutionary government even more radical. Cuba officially declared itself socialist and became an ally of the Soviet Union. This military cooperation, including the placement of missiles in Cuba, led to the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.

Late 1900s: Military Governments and Revolutions

The military government of Argentina in 1976, which used widespread repression against political opponents.

By the 1970s, leftist groups had gained a lot of political power. This led right-wing groups, religious leaders, and many wealthy people to support military takeovers (coups d'état). They wanted to avoid what they saw as a communist threat. Support from Cuba and the United States further increased political tensions. Most South American countries were ruled by military dictatorships during some periods, often supported by the United States.

Around the 1970s, the military governments in the southern part of South America worked together in "Operation Condor." They killed many leftist opponents, including some urban guerrillas.

Economic Policies: The Washington Consensus

The "Washington Consensus" refers to a set of economic policies that were suggested for developing countries facing crises in the 1980s and 1990s. These policies were promoted by powerful organizations in Washington, D.C., like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

In recent years, some Latin American countries with socialist or left-wing governments, like Argentina and Venezuela, have pushed for policies different from the Washington Consensus. Other left-leaning countries, like Brazil, Chile, and Peru, have actually adopted most of these policies. Some U.S. economists have also criticized these policies, saying they are too rigid and don't fit every country.

The term "Washington Consensus" has become linked to free-market policies in general. It's part of a bigger discussion about the role of the free market, limits on government, and U.S. influence on other countries' independence.

The 2000s

Shift to the Left

Left-leaning leaders of Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile at a summit in 2008.

Since the 2000s (or 1990s in some countries), left-wing political parties have gained power. Leaders like Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff in Brazil, Néstor and Cristina Kirchner in Argentina, Evo Morales in Bolivia, and Rafael Correa of Ecuador are part of this trend. These politicians often call themselves socialists, Latin Americanists, or anti-imperialists.

Shift to the Right and Back to the Left

Countries under right-wing governments (blue) and left-wing/centre-left governments (red) as of 2023.

A "conservative wave" started in South America in the mid-2010s. In Brazil, this began around the time Dilma Rousseff won the 2014 presidential election. The Brazilian Congress elected in 2014 was considered the most conservative in a long time, with more members linked to conservative groups like farmers, military, police, and religious groups.

An economic crisis in 2015 and corruption scandals led to a right-wing movement. This movement wanted to bring back ideas of free markets and conservatism, opposing left-wing policies.

However, left-wing political parties have seen a comeback with election victories. This started with Mexico in 2018 and Argentina in 2019. It continued with Bolivia in 2020, along with Peru, Honduras, and Chile in 2021. Then came Colombia and Brazil in 2022. But in 2023, right-wing candidates won the presidential elections in Ecuador and Argentina.

Images for kids

A map of the Americas from the 1600s.
Countries in Latin America by date of independence.
A 1903 political cartoon showing President Roosevelt intimidating Colombia to get the Panama Canal Zone.
The military government of Argentina in 1976, which used widespread repression against political opponents.
Left-leaning leaders of Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile at a summit in 2008.
Countries under right-wing governments (blue) and left-wing/centre-left governments (red) as of 2023.