acial and ethnic mixing and political structures. There were two basic industries found in the New World that shaped their economies: agriculture and mining. Both of these required tremendous labor input to match the demand of continental Europe. Goods such as sugar, cotton, coffee, indigo, tobacco, silver and copper were produced and exported in great quantities. At a very early point in the development of the colonies it was understood that the European settlers weren’t willing to do the physical labor themselves; instead African slaves were brought to the New World in order to work on the plantations. When the situation arose that African slaves didn’t adapt to the conditions properly, Native Indians were forced to labor. This subjugation of Africans and the indigenous populations has had dramatic effects on society. As most regions emancipated the slaves sometime in the mid eighteenth century, a social pyramid developed where white elite’s at the top, mulatto landowners and poor whites in the middle and Blacks and Indians at the bottom. This social structure developed into the stereotypical and racist notions found in most regions today. Regardless of the change in government, sweeping social change has not occurred and almost all of these two groups remain poor. The plantation was the center of the agriculture life. Large-scale agriculture is still important as many countries rely on these products as they put large strain on export –oriented growth. Only recently has there been any significant attempts at industrialization and many countries are economically backward. From the very outset of the exploration of the New World, members of the church have been side by side with the explorers and colonists. The church had a dual role in Latin America. The church was interested in saving the souls of the indigenous peoples found in the newly discovered regions and also they reinforced the control of the Iberian powers. A unique form of Catholicism emerged that was a mixture of the three cultures mentioned above. The most vivid example of this fusion can be seen in Brazil were dozens of religions have sprouted with African, indigenous and European roots. The final topic of colonial legacies is politics. From an early point in the history of Latin America, the regions have enjoyed a certain level of autonomy. There was a tendency towards administrative centralism and regional/local decision-making, which was primarily due to the physical distances to Europe. This incomplete control led to the growth of regionalism, strongman rule and ineffective government that constantly threatened national unity after independence was granted. Nearly every province rebelled against their central government at one point after independence. Nevertheless, these were never social revolutions and the poor were never any better off afterwards. The pattern of privilege remained. It is easy to see many of the aforementioned legacies in Present day Mexico. When excavating for the subway system near the cathedral square of the colonial capital the Great Temple of the Aztecs was unearthed. The juxtaposition of ancient religious structures is typical of the religion practiced by many Mexicans today. While they might be singing Catholic hymns there might be Indian icons or dances associated, and certain saints are coupled with ancient Indian Gods. The most sacred site in Mexico, the Virgin of Guadeloupe, is built on a hill sacred to the Aztec mother goddess and the picture behind the alter is one of the Virgin Mary yet with distinctly Indian coloring. Politically, Mexico is one of the most provincial and violent countries in Latin America as regions espouse autonomy granted from colonial times. This regionalism has led to frequent revolts, guerrilla warfare and political instability (until the past half a century). Additionally, Mexicans have exhibited the migratory patterns first seen in the Indian conscripts of the Peruvian Andes. Some Mexicans l

Some topics in this essay:
Latin America, Minister Campos, Latin American, Dominican Republic, America Caribbean, Dutch Regardless, Getúlio Vargas, Maquiladoras Chile, Maybe Spanish, , latin america, latin american, national identity, latin america caribbean, america caribbean, dominican republic, african slaves, america regions, women’s roles, roles society, countries region, latin america regions, issue women’s roles, countries gained independence, women’s roles society,