The document discusses the colonization of Latin America by European powers beginning in the 15th century. It outlines key events like the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 which divided control of newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. Over time, creoles and mestizos grew discontent with unfair treatment under Spanish rule. The spread of Enlightenment ideas and revolutions in France and North America inspired independence movements in Latin America seeking popular government and secular rule. As Spain weakened due to conflicts with other European powers in the 18th century, strong South American leaders emerged to challenge Spanish authority and build momentum for independence.

1. THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
Social Studies for 9th E.G.B.
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. EUROPEAN COLONIZATION
• During the 1500s, the Europeans
colonized most of the continent.
• They had enslaved natives
first, then Africans.
• A new “race” was born, the
“mestizos”, and also a new class:
the creoles.
• Even though atrocities
decreased, unfair treatment was
still common.

3. TREATY OF TORDESILLAS
• Signed on June 7, 1494
• It was an agreement between
Spain and Portugal aimed at
settling conflicts over lands
newly discovered or explored
by Christopher Columbus
and other late 15th-century
voyagers.

4. WHAT DID IT DO?
• The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494
split the “New World” between
Spain and Portugal. The world was
polarized
• Although very little of the new lands
had been seen, lines were slashed
across the globe, giving most of
North and South America to Spain
and the easternmost area of what is
now Brazil to Portugal.
• The Treaty was sanctioned by a Papal
decree, but future bulls moved this
meridian back and forth, giving Spain
control in Asia and allowing
Portuguese expansion in Brazil.

5. BUILDING THE ROAD
After Spain set up the Colonies in the
Americas:
• Creoles and mestizos grew discontent,
because they were looked down upon, and
not as equals even as far as not having the
same rights as the Spaniards.
• Enlightenment ideas spread to the Americas.
• Revolutions in France and North America lit
the fuse.

6. (PARENTHESIS)
The Enlightenment:
• A movement of intellectual change that swept
throughout Europe and North America during the
18th century.
• In short: New ideals that sought to bring change in the
way we lived.
Political ideology:
• A fairly coherent and comprehensive set of ideas that
explains and evaluates social conditions, provides a
vision of the ideal society, and provides a program for
social and political action.
• In short: A set of ideas designed to give a vision of a
idealized society, including politics and social issues.

7. SEVEN CORE IDEALS
• 1. Human autonomy is the means and end of Enlightenment
• 2. The importance of reason
a. Freedom means being able to think rationally for yourself. b. Reason will lead us to the truth.
• 3. Enlightenment is universal
All humans are equal by nature.
• 4. Progress
Human history is the story of progress in the human condition.
• 5. Secularism
Religion and politics should be separated. One’s method of worship should be a private matter.
• 6. The centrality of economics to politics
A society’s well-being depends on how its economy is structured.
• 7. The ideal of popular government
People are capable of ruling themselves. The aristocracy is not the only class that deserved to rule.

8. SPAIN WEAKENS
• The Spaniards lose power, due to the rise of other powers:
England, Netherlands, Portugal, France, Prussia…
• The need to restore authority backfires.
• Strong, South American leaders emerge.

9. ASK YOURSELF
• Identify:
• What were the consequences of the mixing of Spaniards and natives?
• Relate:
• What were the consequences of the events in Europe that helped promote new ideals
in the Americas?
• Analyze:
• What was so important about the American and French Revolutions?
• What were the effects of the treaty of Tordesillas?

10. VOCABULARY ASSIGNMENT
1. Search the meaning of these terms in the dictionary and write it down.
2. Write a sentence using those words, applying them to the context of this unit.
Do not use sentences from other’s, create them on your own.
Terms:
• Polarize
• Creole
• Mestizo
• Enlightenment
• Secularism
Do it all in the computer and print it.

11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Treaty of Tordesillas. Retrieved May 20, 2012,
from Britannica:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/599856/Treaty-of-Tordesillas.
• Virtual Museum Canada. (n.d.). Treaty of Tordesillas. Retrieved May 20, 2012,
from Beyond The Map:
http://www.beyondthemap.ca/english/historical_divide_world.html.
• Knowles, R. (n.d.). Latin American Independence Movements. Retrieved May 20,
2012, from Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/rknowles/latin-american-
independence-movements.
• North Arizona University. (n.d.). Core Ideals of the Enlightenment. Retrieved May
22, 2012, from Northern Arizona University's Web Server JAN:
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jo52/POS254/Enlideals.html.