From Ktbs.com:
Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish schools will not have classes on Friday because of the effects from Thursday's storms, officials from each school district said.
Bossier Parish Community College has also canceled classes.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The movie "Master and Commander; Far Side of the World" is a historic story of 19th century sailors on the coast of Brazil
The HMS Surprise from the movie, "Master and Commander; Far Side of the World"
Originally uploaded by BillGraf
Nearly all of the film takes place aboard the HMS Surprise, under the command of Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe).
The captain's orders: to intercept and disable the French privateer Acheron, which is troubling British vessels off the coast of South America. The two ships clash early on, and the Surprise is thoroughly routed--the Acheron is larger, faster, and more modern. But Aubrey, with a determination that might not entirely be due to his sense of duty, is not one to give up, and the Surprise chases the Acheron--and/or vice versa--down the Brazilian coast, around Cape Horn, and to the Gallapagos Islands.
Highly recommended. PG-13 for battle gore.
Brazil: Portuguese-speaking, multi-ethnic land of amazing biodiversity
Basic national background from Wikipedia.com -
- the largest country in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking country on that continent.
- Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until its independence in 1822.
- Brazil is the world's eighth largest economy at market exchange rates[3] and the ninth largest by purchasing power parity.[15] Economic reforms have given the country new international recognition.
- It is a democracy.
- A predominantly Roman Catholic, Portuguese-speaking, and multiethnic society.
- The most accepted etymology of the name Brazil is that it was named after the tree brazilwood[17] which in Portuguese is pau-brasil, and the word brasil is commonly defined by the dictionaries of different languages as the color of red like ember, formed by the word brasa (ember).
- Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world—after Russia, Canada, China and the United States.
- The climate of Brazil comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale and varied topography, but the largest part of the country is tropical.
- The Macaw is a typical animal of Brazil. The country has one of the world's most diverse populations of birds and amphibians.
- Brazil's large territory comprises different ecosystems, such as the Amazon Rainforest, recognized as having the greatest biological diversity in the world;[33] the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, which together sustain some of the world's greatest biodiversity.
- Scientists estimate that the total number of plant and animal species in Brazil could approach four million.[34] Larger mammals include pumas, jaguars, ocelots, rare bush dogs, and foxes. Peccaries, tapirs, anteaters, sloths, opossums, and armadillos are abundant. Deer are plentiful in the south, and monkeys of many species abound in the northern rain forests.[34][36] Concern for the environment in Brazil has grown in response to global interest in environmental issues.
- Its natural heritage is extremely threatened by cattle ranching and agriculture, logging, mining, resettlement, oil and gas extraction, over-fishing, expansion of urban centres, wildlife trade, fire, climate change, dams and infrastructure, water contamination, and invasive species.[33] In many areas of the country, the natural environment is threatened by development.
- Brazilians are very strong in agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool.[15] Brazilian exports are booming, creating a new generation of tycoons.[192] Major export products include aircraft, coffee, automobiles, soybean, iron ore, orange juice, steel, ethanol, textiles, footwear, corned beef and electrical equipment.
- Industry is highly concentrated geographically, with the leading concentrations in metropolitan São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, Porto Alegre, and Belo Horizonte. Technologically advanced industries are also highly concentrated in these locations.
- Brazil is expected to become a major oil producer and exporter, having recently made huge oil discoveries.
- 49.4% of the population self-declared White, about 93 million; 42.3% self-declared Pardo (brown), about 80 million; 7.4% self-declared Black, about 13 million; 0.5% self-declared Asian, about 1 million; and 0.4% self-declared Amerindian, about 519,000.
- Over three centuries of Portuguese colonization, Brazil received more than 700,000 Portuguese settlers and 4 million African slaves.[228] The country has the largest population of African descent outside of Africa.
- The largest metropolitan areas in Brazil are São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte, with 19.7, 11.4, and 5.4 million inhabitants respectively.
- Brazilian Portuguese has had its own development, influenced by the Amerindian and African languages.[249] Due to this, the language is somewhat different from that spoken in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, mainly for phonological and orthographic differences. These differences are somewhat greater than those of American and British English.
- The festival of Carnival (Portuguese: Carnaval), with its spectacular street parades and vibrant music, has become one of the most potent images of Brazil;[254] an annual celebration held forty days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent.
- Brazil's cultural tradition extends to its music styles which include samba, bossa nova, forró, frevo, pagode and many others.
- Football (Portuguese: futebol) is the most popular sport in Brazil.[254] Many famous Brazilian players such as Pele and Ronaldo are among the most well know players in the sport.The Brazilian national football team (Seleção) is currently ranked first in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings. They have been victorious in the World Cup tournament a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.[261] Basketball, volleyball, auto racing, and martial arts also attract large audiences.
- The constellations found in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere are seen in the famous and unusual flag of Brazil.
- the largest country in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking country on that continent.
- Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until its independence in 1822.
- Brazil is the world's eighth largest economy at market exchange rates[3] and the ninth largest by purchasing power parity.[15] Economic reforms have given the country new international recognition.
- It is a democracy.
- A predominantly Roman Catholic, Portuguese-speaking, and multiethnic society.
- The most accepted etymology of the name Brazil is that it was named after the tree brazilwood[17] which in Portuguese is pau-brasil, and the word brasil is commonly defined by the dictionaries of different languages as the color of red like ember, formed by the word brasa (ember).
- Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world—after Russia, Canada, China and the United States.
- The climate of Brazil comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale and varied topography, but the largest part of the country is tropical.
- The Macaw is a typical animal of Brazil. The country has one of the world's most diverse populations of birds and amphibians.
- Brazil's large territory comprises different ecosystems, such as the Amazon Rainforest, recognized as having the greatest biological diversity in the world;[33] the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, which together sustain some of the world's greatest biodiversity.
- Scientists estimate that the total number of plant and animal species in Brazil could approach four million.[34] Larger mammals include pumas, jaguars, ocelots, rare bush dogs, and foxes. Peccaries, tapirs, anteaters, sloths, opossums, and armadillos are abundant. Deer are plentiful in the south, and monkeys of many species abound in the northern rain forests.[34][36] Concern for the environment in Brazil has grown in response to global interest in environmental issues.
- Its natural heritage is extremely threatened by cattle ranching and agriculture, logging, mining, resettlement, oil and gas extraction, over-fishing, expansion of urban centres, wildlife trade, fire, climate change, dams and infrastructure, water contamination, and invasive species.[33] In many areas of the country, the natural environment is threatened by development.
- Brazilians are very strong in agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool.[15] Brazilian exports are booming, creating a new generation of tycoons.[192] Major export products include aircraft, coffee, automobiles, soybean, iron ore, orange juice, steel, ethanol, textiles, footwear, corned beef and electrical equipment.
- Industry is highly concentrated geographically, with the leading concentrations in metropolitan São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, Porto Alegre, and Belo Horizonte. Technologically advanced industries are also highly concentrated in these locations.
- Brazil is expected to become a major oil producer and exporter, having recently made huge oil discoveries.
- 49.4% of the population self-declared White, about 93 million; 42.3% self-declared Pardo (brown), about 80 million; 7.4% self-declared Black, about 13 million; 0.5% self-declared Asian, about 1 million; and 0.4% self-declared Amerindian, about 519,000.
- Over three centuries of Portuguese colonization, Brazil received more than 700,000 Portuguese settlers and 4 million African slaves.[228] The country has the largest population of African descent outside of Africa.
- The largest metropolitan areas in Brazil are São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte, with 19.7, 11.4, and 5.4 million inhabitants respectively.
- Brazilian Portuguese has had its own development, influenced by the Amerindian and African languages.[249] Due to this, the language is somewhat different from that spoken in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, mainly for phonological and orthographic differences. These differences are somewhat greater than those of American and British English.
- The festival of Carnival (Portuguese: Carnaval), with its spectacular street parades and vibrant music, has become one of the most potent images of Brazil;[254] an annual celebration held forty days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent.
- Brazil's cultural tradition extends to its music styles which include samba, bossa nova, forró, frevo, pagode and many others.
- Football (Portuguese: futebol) is the most popular sport in Brazil.[254] Many famous Brazilian players such as Pele and Ronaldo are among the most well know players in the sport.The Brazilian national football team (Seleção) is currently ranked first in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings. They have been victorious in the World Cup tournament a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.[261] Basketball, volleyball, auto racing, and martial arts also attract large audiences.
- The constellations found in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere are seen in the famous and unusual flag of Brazil.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Review questions on Brazil
1. Which nation is larger in area? a) US or b) Brazil?
2. Brazil has approximately one third the population of the US. T / F
3. The population of Sao Paulo is almost the same as that of NYC. T / F
4. The population of Rio de Janeiro is significantly larger than that of Los Angeles.
T / F
5. In Brazil the word "Real" refers to a a) bank b) po-boy c) dollar d) member of the national futbol team.
6. Brazilians are a bit different from their neighbors inasmuch as they speak a) French b) Spanish c) Brasiliano d) Portuguese.
7. Recently, Brazil has discovered a considerable oil field in the mountainous region. T / F
8. Brazil's chief environmental problem continues to be a) deforestation
b) loss of crop land c) governmental bribery d) disappearance of the Amazon.
9. The national flag features a yellow __ on a green field. a) triangle b) rectangle
c) rhombus d) tetrahedron.
10. The orb on the flag refers to Brazil's a) aerospace technology
b) history of coastal navigation c) position in the Southern Hemisphere.
2. Brazil has approximately one third the population of the US. T / F
3. The population of Sao Paulo is almost the same as that of NYC. T / F
4. The population of Rio de Janeiro is significantly larger than that of Los Angeles.
T / F
5. In Brazil the word "Real" refers to a a) bank b) po-boy c) dollar d) member of the national futbol team.
6. Brazilians are a bit different from their neighbors inasmuch as they speak a) French b) Spanish c) Brasiliano d) Portuguese.
7. Recently, Brazil has discovered a considerable oil field in the mountainous region. T / F
8. Brazil's chief environmental problem continues to be a) deforestation
b) loss of crop land c) governmental bribery d) disappearance of the Amazon.
9. The national flag features a yellow __ on a green field. a) triangle b) rectangle
c) rhombus d) tetrahedron.
10. The orb on the flag refers to Brazil's a) aerospace technology
b) history of coastal navigation c) position in the Southern Hemisphere.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Brazil: comparison research on a vibrant South American nation
Tues and Wed geography students will be researching Brazil and the US - in the library.
In a series of 10 images and bulleted notes students will compare the basic features of Brazil and the US. Again, the work will be done with a partner (not one you've worked with previously).
1. Vivid titling
2. detailed bibliography (not just wikipedia.com) at end.
3. You must use the sources infoplease.com and cia.gov.
4. image(s) on each slide.
5. Brief, very brief, bulleted info.
6. Include one map of Brazil (omit US); show great cities.
7. Save and submit via Google Doc.
8. Due Th. & Fri.; 15 pts.
Topics
1. Soccer / futbol
2. Non-soccer sports
3. Capoeira (folk dance)
4. Pop and folk dance
5. Cuisine
6. Crops and food
7. Musical styles & groups
8. Architecture
9. Life in the barrio
10. Wildlife
11. African culture in Brazil
12. Economy: coffee, soybeans, ethanol
13. Economy: aircraft, autos
14. Economy: textiles, shoes
15. Economy: tourism
16. Rio de Janeiro vs. NYC
17. Sao Paulo vs. Chicago
18. Ethnicity
19. Carnaval / Mardi Gras
20. Technology
Above: the regional jets (seats 40 to 50 passengers) used at airports like Shreveport's are mostly made in Brazil by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate.
In a series of 10 images and bulleted notes students will compare the basic features of Brazil and the US. Again, the work will be done with a partner (not one you've worked with previously).
1. Vivid titling
2. detailed bibliography (not just wikipedia.com) at end.
3. You must use the sources infoplease.com and cia.gov.
4. image(s) on each slide.
5. Brief, very brief, bulleted info.
6. Include one map of Brazil (omit US); show great cities.
7. Save and submit via Google Doc.
8. Due Th. & Fri.; 15 pts.
Topics
1. Soccer / futbol
2. Non-soccer sports
3. Capoeira (folk dance)
4. Pop and folk dance
5. Cuisine
6. Crops and food
7. Musical styles & groups
8. Architecture
9. Life in the barrio
10. Wildlife
11. African culture in Brazil
12. Economy: coffee, soybeans, ethanol
13. Economy: aircraft, autos
14. Economy: textiles, shoes
15. Economy: tourism
16. Rio de Janeiro vs. NYC
17. Sao Paulo vs. Chicago
18. Ethnicity
19. Carnaval / Mardi Gras
20. Technology
Above: the regional jets (seats 40 to 50 passengers) used at airports like Shreveport's are mostly made in Brazil by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Magnet Drama Day is Friday
Magnet is a school dedicated to both Academics and the Performing Arts. As such, it has a terrific drama dept. It's important to stop our routine and enjoy the short plays and presentations brought to the campus by student thespians on Drama Day.
That way you'll know to come back at night for their big shows.
Parents are welcome to watch the fun in the PAC - from 8:30 to 3:30.
That way you'll know to come back at night for their big shows.
Parents are welcome to watch the fun in the PAC - from 8:30 to 3:30.
Indie work: comparing successful Mexicans Frida Kahlo and Salma Hayek
Frida Kahlo was a reknowned Mexican painter who was married to an even more famous Mexican painter, Diego Rivera.
Salma Hayek is a contemporary Hollywood beauty who began her career as a Mexican actress in TV soap stories.
Both have fascinating bios.
Research and write a comparison essay - follow the guidelines - on them if you'd like to score extra credit.
Salma Hayek is a contemporary Hollywood beauty who began her career as a Mexican actress in TV soap stories.
Both have fascinating bios.
Research and write a comparison essay - follow the guidelines - on them if you'd like to score extra credit.
South America in Upfront magazine: the top 5 nations
In Upfront magazine's world review (Nov 9), see South America, p. 35.
a) Devise and explain your way of ranking the most effective nations of S Amer. Use at least 3 criteria.
b) Using your formula, rank the the 5 nations displaying the Highest Quality of Life.
a) Devise and explain your way of ranking the most effective nations of S Amer. Use at least 3 criteria.
b) Using your formula, rank the the 5 nations displaying the Highest Quality of Life.
Mexico: the Tenochtitlan Quiz
Tenochtitlan Quiz / Geography / Trudeau
1. Found on the Baja Sur peninsula: a) Cabo San Lucas b) Mazatlan
c) Tijuana d) Acapulco.
2. A Dia de los muertos parody of a Mexican upper class female is referred to as
a) calacas b) Marigold c) Catrina d) Ciudad.
3. A Dia de los muertos altar, displaying offerings in honor of a deceased relative:
a) ofrendas b) calaveras c) pan de muertos d) a Mictecacihuatl.
4. The elements of the holiday Dia de los muertos reflects 2 cultural traditions: a) Aztec & Spanish b) Spanish & Mexican-American c) Texan & Mexican d) Pacifican & Caribbean.
5. The tradition of papel picado is derived from the a) Spanish b) indigenous c) French d) Mexican.
6. Chocolatl, the royal Aztec potion, is based upon a) currency b) corn flour c) chilies d) cacao bean.
7. The Aztec calendar: a) 365 days a year b) 360 days per year c) influenced the Roman calendar d) influenced the Mayan calendar.
8. In danger of over-harvesting: a) barracuda b) shark c) chiclets d) calacos.
9. Central America is also properly called a) North America b) South America c) Caribbean America d) Mesoamerica.
10. Pretty much the same place as Mexico City: a) Aztec calendar
b) Chocolatl c) Tenochtitlan d) Quetzalcoatl.
11. Cacophonous: a) densely populated b) harshly noisy c) roach-ridden d) shibboleth.
1. Found on the Baja Sur peninsula: a) Cabo San Lucas b) Mazatlan
c) Tijuana d) Acapulco.
2. A Dia de los muertos parody of a Mexican upper class female is referred to as
a) calacas b) Marigold c) Catrina d) Ciudad.
3. A Dia de los muertos altar, displaying offerings in honor of a deceased relative:
a) ofrendas b) calaveras c) pan de muertos d) a Mictecacihuatl.
4. The elements of the holiday Dia de los muertos reflects 2 cultural traditions: a) Aztec & Spanish b) Spanish & Mexican-American c) Texan & Mexican d) Pacifican & Caribbean.
5. The tradition of papel picado is derived from the a) Spanish b) indigenous c) French d) Mexican.
6. Chocolatl, the royal Aztec potion, is based upon a) currency b) corn flour c) chilies d) cacao bean.
7. The Aztec calendar: a) 365 days a year b) 360 days per year c) influenced the Roman calendar d) influenced the Mayan calendar.
8. In danger of over-harvesting: a) barracuda b) shark c) chiclets d) calacos.
9. Central America is also properly called a) North America b) South America c) Caribbean America d) Mesoamerica.
10. Pretty much the same place as Mexico City: a) Aztec calendar
b) Chocolatl c) Tenochtitlan d) Quetzalcoatl.
11. Cacophonous: a) densely populated b) harshly noisy c) roach-ridden d) shibboleth.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
What we shall be singing on Dia de los Muertos: "la Bamba"
La Bamba - Richie Valens
Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba
Se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia para mi para ti
Arriba y arriba
Arriba y arriba
Por ti seré
Por ti seré
Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero
Soy capitán
Soy capitán
Soy capitán
My La Bamba translation into English
In order to dance the Bamba
In order to dance the Bamba
A little humor is needed
A little humor for me and for you
Faster and faster
Faster and faster
I'll be for you
I'll be for you
I'm not a sailor
I'm not a sailor
I'm captain
I'm captain
I'm captain
Got a record or mp3 and practice, por favor!
Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba
Se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia para mi para ti
Arriba y arriba
Arriba y arriba
Por ti seré
Por ti seré
Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero
Soy capitán
Soy capitán
Soy capitán
My La Bamba translation into English
In order to dance the Bamba
In order to dance the Bamba
A little humor is needed
A little humor for me and for you
Faster and faster
Faster and faster
I'll be for you
I'll be for you
I'm not a sailor
I'm not a sailor
I'm captain
I'm captain
I'm captain
Got a record or mp3 and practice, por favor!
The Spanish Empire project on Wed, Oct 21
Sketch maps of N. Amer, Central Amer, S Amer.
Sketch the Western edges of the continents of Europe and Africa.
Identify the principal elements of the Spanish Empire (identify nations, use color):
- Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela.
- Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Gatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico.
- Cuba, Haiti/Dominican Rep, Puerto Rico.
- California, Arizona, N mex, Texas.
- Espana, Portugal.
- Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea.
Arrows showing the movement of men and their cultures -
- Spain to Mexico, Central Amer and the Caribbean.
- West Africa, the slave trade, to the Caribbean and N Amer.
- decimate
- chocolatl
- Conquistador helmet
- au, ag
- maize, sugar cane
- European diseases
Sketch the Western edges of the continents of Europe and Africa.
Identify the principal elements of the Spanish Empire (identify nations, use color):
- Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela.
- Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Gatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico.
- Cuba, Haiti/Dominican Rep, Puerto Rico.
- California, Arizona, N mex, Texas.
- Espana, Portugal.
- Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea.
Arrows showing the movement of men and their cultures -
- Spain to Mexico, Central Amer and the Caribbean.
- West Africa, the slave trade, to the Caribbean and N Amer.
- decimate
- chocolatl
- Conquistador helmet
- au, ag
- maize, sugar cane
- European diseases
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
From Mexico to Spain: follow the money
The Spanish Empire (Spanish: Imperio Español) was one of the largest empires in world history, and one of the first global empires, says Wikipedia.
It included territories and colonies in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania, from the 15th century through—in the case of its African holdings—the latter portion of the 20th century.
Spain had emerged as a unified monarchy in 1492 following the reconquista (from the Moors, the Muslims who had controlled Spain for centuries) of the Iberian peninsula; that very year, Christopher Columbus commanded the first Spanish exploratory voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, leading to Europe's eventual colonial engagement with the Americas. The Western Hemisphere thereby became the focus of this new Spanish Empire.
During the Age of Discovery, Spain began to settle the Caribbean islands and conquistadors soon toppled native empires such as the Aztecs and Incas on mainland America.
Later expeditions established an empire that stretched from present-day Canada in North America to Tierra del Fuego in South America.
The Spanish expedition of world circumnavigation started by Ferdinand Magellan in 1519, and completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano in 1522, achieved what Columbus had longed for, a westward route to Asia, and brought the Far East to Spain's attention, where it established colonies in Guam, the Philippines and surrounding islands.
During its Siglo de Oro, the Spanish Empire comprised the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, most of Italy, parts of Germany, parts of France, territories in Africa, Asia and Oceania, as well as large areas in the Americas. By the 17th century Spain controlled an empire on a scale and world distribution that had never been approached by its predecessors[1].
In the 1520s the large scale extraction of silver from the rich deposits of Mexico's Guanajuato began, but it was not until the opening of the silver mines in Mexico's Zacatecas and Peru's Potosí in 1546 that the large shipments of silver became the fabled source of wealth.
During the sixteenth century, Spain held the equivalent of US$1.5 trillion (1990 terms) in gold and silver received from New Spain. Ultimately, however, these imports diverted investment away from other forms of industry and contributed to inflation in Spain in the last decades of the 16th century.
This situation was aggravated (though not as much as popular myth asserts) by the loss of much the commercial and artisan classes with the expulsions of the Jews and Moriscos. The vast imports of silver ultimately made Spain overly dependent on foreign sources of raw materials and manufactured goods.
How the work of the Conquistadors lead to the Atlantic slave trade
After Columbus, the colonization of America was led by a series of warrior-explorers called Conquistadors, says Wikipedia.
The Spanish forces exploited the rivalries between competing local peoples and states, some of which were only too willing to form alliances with the Spanish in order to defeat their more-powerful enemies, such as the Aztecs or Incas—a tactic that would be extensively used by later European colonial powers.
The Spanish conquest was also facilitated by the spread of diseases (e.g. smallpox) common in Europe but unknown in the New World, which decimated the native American populations.[14]
This caused a labour shortage and so the colonists informally and gradually, at first, initiated the Atlantic slave trade.
The Atlantic slave trade, also known as the transatlantic slave trade, was the trading, primarily of African people, to the colonies of the New World that occurred in and around the Atlantic Ocean. It lasted from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Most enslaved people were shipped from West Africa and Central Africa and taken to North and South America[1] to work as unpaid labor on sugar, coffee, cocoa and cotton plantations, in gold and silver mines, in rice fields, or in houses to work as servants.
The shippers were, in order of scale, the Portuguese (and Brazilians), the English, the French, the Spaniards, the Dutch, and the North Americans.[1]
Enslaved people were generally obtained through coastal trading with Africans, though some were captured by European slave traders through raids and kidnapping.[2][3] Most contemporary historians estimate that between 9.4 and 12 million[4][5] Africans arrived in the New World.
The Spanish forces exploited the rivalries between competing local peoples and states, some of which were only too willing to form alliances with the Spanish in order to defeat their more-powerful enemies, such as the Aztecs or Incas—a tactic that would be extensively used by later European colonial powers.
The Spanish conquest was also facilitated by the spread of diseases (e.g. smallpox) common in Europe but unknown in the New World, which decimated the native American populations.[14]
This caused a labour shortage and so the colonists informally and gradually, at first, initiated the Atlantic slave trade.
The Atlantic slave trade, also known as the transatlantic slave trade, was the trading, primarily of African people, to the colonies of the New World that occurred in and around the Atlantic Ocean. It lasted from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Most enslaved people were shipped from West Africa and Central Africa and taken to North and South America[1] to work as unpaid labor on sugar, coffee, cocoa and cotton plantations, in gold and silver mines, in rice fields, or in houses to work as servants.
The shippers were, in order of scale, the Portuguese (and Brazilians), the English, the French, the Spaniards, the Dutch, and the North Americans.[1]
Enslaved people were generally obtained through coastal trading with Africans, though some were captured by European slave traders through raids and kidnapping.[2][3] Most contemporary historians estimate that between 9.4 and 12 million[4][5] Africans arrived in the New World.
The feathered serpent: Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and has the meaning of "feathered-serpent"[1], says Wikipedia.
Among the Aztecs, whose beliefs are the best-documented in the historical sources, Quetzalcoatl was related to gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. He was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and knowledge.[5] Quetzalcoatl was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli.
Among the Aztecs, whose beliefs are the best-documented in the historical sources, Quetzalcoatl was related to gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. He was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and knowledge.[5] Quetzalcoatl was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli.
Mesoamerican technology: the remarkable Aztec calendar
The Aztec calendar, is the calendar system that was used by the Aztecs as well as other Pre-Columbian peoples of central Mexico, says Wikipedia.
The calendar consisted of a 365-day calendar cycle called xiuhpohualli (year count) and a 260-day ritual cycle called tonalpohualli (day count). These two cycles together formed a 52 year "century," sometimes called the "calendar round." The xiuhpohualli is considered to be the agricultural calendar, since it is based on the sun, and the tonalpohualli is considered to be the sacred calendar.
The calendar consisted of a 365-day calendar cycle called xiuhpohualli (year count) and a 260-day ritual cycle called tonalpohualli (day count). These two cycles together formed a 52 year "century," sometimes called the "calendar round." The xiuhpohualli is considered to be the agricultural calendar, since it is based on the sun, and the tonalpohualli is considered to be the sacred calendar.
Capital of the Aztecs: Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan was a Nahua altepetl (city-state) located on an island in Lake Texcoco, in the Valley of Mexico, says Wikipedia.
Founded in 1325, it became the seat of the growing Aztec empire in the 15th Century, until captured by the Spanish in 1521.
It subsequently became a cabecera of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and today the ruins of Tenochtitlan are located in the central part of Mexico City.
“ When we saw so many cities and villages built in the water and other great towns on dry land we were amazed and said that it was like the enchantments (...) on account of the great towers and cues and buildings rising from the water, and all built of masonry. And some of our soldiers even asked whether the things that we saw were not a dream? (...) I do not know how to describe it, seeing things as we did that had never been heard of or seen before, not even dreamed about. ”
—Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain[2]
Founded in 1325, it became the seat of the growing Aztec empire in the 15th Century, until captured by the Spanish in 1521.
It subsequently became a cabecera of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and today the ruins of Tenochtitlan are located in the central part of Mexico City.
“ When we saw so many cities and villages built in the water and other great towns on dry land we were amazed and said that it was like the enchantments (...) on account of the great towers and cues and buildings rising from the water, and all built of masonry. And some of our soldiers even asked whether the things that we saw were not a dream? (...) I do not know how to describe it, seeing things as we did that had never been heard of or seen before, not even dreamed about. ”
—Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain[2]
The Aztec glyph for movement
glyph:
- A symbolic figure that is usually engraved or incised.
- A symbol, such as a stylized figure or arrow on a public sign, that imparts information nonverbally.
- A symbolic figure that is usually engraved or incised.
- A symbol, such as a stylized figure or arrow on a public sign, that imparts information nonverbally.
Aztecan divine bird: the Resplendent Quetzal
The Resplendent Quetzal was considered divine, says Wikipedia. It was associated with the "snake god", Quetzalcoatl, by Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations.
Their iridescent green tail feathers, symbols for spring plant growth, were venerated by the ancient Aztecs and Maya, who viewed the quetzal as the "god of the air" and as a symbol of goodness and light.
Mesoamerican (Central America; "meso" means "middle of") rulers and some nobility of other ranks wore headdresses made from quetzal feathers, symbolically connecting them to Quetzalcoatl. Since it was a crime to kill a quetzal, the bird was simply captured, its long tail feathers plucked, and was set free. Quetzalcoatl was the creator god and god of wind, often depicted with grey hair. In several Mesoamerican languages, the term for quetzal can also mean precious, sacred, or erected.
Their iridescent green tail feathers, symbols for spring plant growth, were venerated by the ancient Aztecs and Maya, who viewed the quetzal as the "god of the air" and as a symbol of goodness and light.
Mesoamerican (Central America; "meso" means "middle of") rulers and some nobility of other ranks wore headdresses made from quetzal feathers, symbolically connecting them to Quetzalcoatl. Since it was a crime to kill a quetzal, the bird was simply captured, its long tail feathers plucked, and was set free. Quetzalcoatl was the creator god and god of wind, often depicted with grey hair. In several Mesoamerican languages, the term for quetzal can also mean precious, sacred, or erected.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Mon: The Blue Planet / Coral seas
Get ready for the Thurs quizzes -
* Map of Mexico (12 items)
* Open notes (11 questions)
Mon I will be away but Mr Hitt will show a dvd from The Blue Planet series - National Geographic - on Coral Seas. I expect your full attention. Your teacher is quite serious about the seas and aquaculture.
See you Tuesday with more on the story of Cortez and Moctezuma in Mexico.
* Map of Mexico (12 items)
* Open notes (11 questions)
Mon I will be away but Mr Hitt will show a dvd from The Blue Planet series - National Geographic - on Coral Seas. I expect your full attention. Your teacher is quite serious about the seas and aquaculture.
See you Tuesday with more on the story of Cortez and Moctezuma in Mexico.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Barracuda & shark
Like sharks, barracudas have a bad reputation as being dangerous to humans. As barracudas are also scavengers, they may mistake snorkelers for large predators and follow them in the hopes of scavenging the remains of an attack on prey.
Shark populations are in danger for several reasons. One of them is over fishing. Outside of the US, shark is quite a popular dish.
Aquaculture is going to be part of the next generation's future. You can help feed the world if you research and develop the science of farming fish.
Shark populations are in danger for several reasons. One of them is over fishing. Outside of the US, shark is quite a popular dish.
Aquaculture is going to be part of the next generation's future. You can help feed the world if you research and develop the science of farming fish.
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