Journal Entries For My Modern Latin America Class

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Journal Entry #1

The readings for today were a summary of Colonial Latin America. The native empires such as that of The Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas were discussed in brief. The Reconquista spirit of liberating Spain from Muslim occupation led The Spanish to look for new places to conquer and spread their religion. Their affect on the native population and the new life of Spaniards in The New World is discussed. The Portuguese also settled The New World but it was a secondary colony since they already had colonies in Africa, India, and China. Portuguese America was centered in Brazil, so named because of the important brazilwood it was famous for in Europe. Brazil didn't have as many native civilizations and the natives there were more nomadic.     

The readings are important for the setting the basis for Modern Latin America for someone who might not have taken Colonial Latin America. They lead up to the movements for Latin American independence, the beginning of a new era in Latin America. It provides an introduction to the eve of the independence struggles.