Central America and the West Indies

1. Central America and the West Indies Chapter 6

2. A Frightening Voyage • On October 12, 1492, Columbus spotted land in America • He actually landed in the Bahamas • The Arawaks • The friendly people Columbus met • Beginning of one of the greatest changes in history

3. West Indies, an Island World • Columbus sailed home, thinking he found the water route to Asia (India) • Name West Indies stuck • Four Largest islands- Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola • Many are archipelagos- chain of islands • They named America in honor of an Italian navigator, Amerigo Vespucci (sailed near South America)

4. Two Kinds of Islands/Hurricanes • Two Kinds • Variety of Landscapes • Limestone islands • Generally flat • Volcanic island • More fertile soil • More dangerous • Hurricanes • Biggest danger

5. People of the Caribbean • Mulattoes • Most Indians disappeared (disease) • Mulattoes are born of one black parent and one white parent • Slavery • Most slaves were brought to the West Indies by sugar planters from England, France, and Netherlands • Today is the result of that • Spanish, Dutch, French, and English are spoken

6. Isthmus • A small strip of land that connects two larger land areas • Size of California • Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama • Very different in each country • Coffee and Bananas

8. Daily Opener • What is an archipelago?

9. Quick Review • From Yesterday

10. Partner Project • Find a partner • One group of three • Pick a country from the West Indies • Cuba 13 • Jamaica 11 • Bahamas 2 • Haiti 15 • Dominican Republic 6

11. Project • You will be making a three slide PowerPoint on your country • Opening Slide- Title and picture of country • Slide 1- Brief history of the Country • Slide 2- Geography of the Country • Slide 3- Economy of the Country and natural resources • Slide 4- Government of the Country • Picture on each slide

12. The West Indies Lesson 2

13. Cuba • Cuba is the Largest country in the West Indies • Ideal place to grow sugarcane • Only 90 miles from the United States • Easy transportation of sugarcane

14. Revolution • United States sugar companies controlled sugar business in Cuba until 1959 • That year a revolution overthrew the government • They “expropriated” the Americans • To take the property of another • Castro turned to the Soviet Union for aid and support • Sold most sugar to U.S.S.R

15. U.S. and Cuban Relations • http://www.history.com/videos/kennedy-and-the-cuban-missile-crisis

16. Puerto Rico • The United States took control of it after the Spanish-American War (1898) • Commonwealth of the United States • Can make its own laws • Citizens of the United States • Cannot vote for President

17. Economic Success • Until 1940, Puerto Rico was one of the poorest lands in Latin America • Between ‘40 and ‘70 however they became one of the wealthiest • Brought in industries that produce electronic equipment, appliances, textiles, and clothing

18. Hispaniola • Hispaniola • Dominican Republic • Haiti • Dominican Republic • Economy is highly sugarcane and tourism • Haiti • Poorest country in the Western Hemisphere

19. Jamaica • British colony until 1962 • Grew coffee and sugarcane on huge plantations • Brought Africans as slaves • Economy • Bauxite is used for making aluminum • Tourism has become very important

20. Lesser Antilles • Many smaller countries in the West Indies • Largest is Trinidad and Tobago • Rich because of oil and gas • Tourism has become important to these countries