Discover the rich cultures of Latin & South American History, from ancient civilizations to modern-day republics.
The burgeoning sense of nationhood in Brazil as well as political instability in Portugal led to Brazil’s declaration of independence in 1822.
The Brazilian religious landscape emerged from a unique blend of African, Indigenous, and Catholic beliefs, forming syncretic traditions that are a symbol of cultural resistance.
Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, a Portuguese prince, led Brazil to independence but faced challenges and unrest during his reign as Brazil’s first emperor.
Chilean independence was won by Bernardo O’Higgins, a man with a distinctly Irish last name.
The Spanish Inquisition in Latin America went beyond religious persecution. Its targeting of Jews and witches enforced strict control mechanisms that redefined cultural norms.
Mexico’s ancestral agriculture practices unite culture and ecology, reviving resilient, sustainable food systems rooted in reciprocity today.
For hundreds of years, the mysterious Tiwanaku civilization controlled an area that stretched across four countries. The ruins of their capital still mystify archaeologists today.
Though the Maya of the 16th century survived European colonization, their culture remains threatened by modernization, and their languages are in danger of extinction.