Exploring Our World: People, Places, and Cultures Grade 6

Chapter 5: History and Cultures of South America

Chapter Overviews

The first Native Americans who settled in South America were nomads. They moved from place to place in search of food. Eventually, some nomadic groups settled down to farm and grew maize, cassava, and potatoes. Groups such as the Moche of northern Peru created complex cultures. Another group in Peru, the Inca, conquered neighboring peoples to form an empire. The Inca established military posts, developed a method of record keeping, and built roads. In the late 1400s and early 1500s, however, Spanish explorers conquered the Inca. The Spanish and other Europeans then changed South America. They established colonial governments, spread Christianity among the Native Americans, and created large farms to grow cash crops. Europeans unknowingly brought diseases with them that killed Native Americans. When large farms needed workers, Europeans enslaved Africans to work the farms.

Most South American countries were ruled by Spain from the 1500s to the 1800s. Countries in South America fought for independence after two centuries of European rule. Many South American nations hoped their countries would become stable democracies with prosperous economies. Obstacles arose, however, including conflict over the role of religion in their society, boundary lines, tensions between the rich and poor, and leaders who often ruled as dictators. Difficult economic and political reforms in the 1980s helped strengthen many South American countries, but these changes were often harsh and turned many people against dictators. During the 1990s, democratic movements succeeded in several countries.

South America has a high population growth rate, but resources are limited in many areas. Most people live in the moderate climates found along the coasts of South America. Many people are moving to the cities to find work. In South America, about 90 percent of people live in cities.

South America’s people include Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, Asians, and mixtures of these groups. Spanish is the most widely spoken language, although Brazilians mostly speak Portuguese. Family life and religion are important to most South Americans. The food, arts, holidays, and celebrations in each country blend the traditions of its diverse peoples.