Latin America History Timeline

  • Period: 300 to

    High developments in astrology, calendrics, math, writing among the Maya in Mesoamerica.

    300-900 CE: High developments in astrology, calendrics, math, writing among the Maya in Mesoamerica.
  • Jan 7, 600

    Rise of large urban cities & empires at Huari in Peruvian Highlands.

    Rise of large urban cities & empires at Huari in Peruvian Highlands.
    600-800 CE: Rise of large urban cities & empires at Huari in Peruvian Highlands.
  • Jan 6, 1000

    Development of large-scale societies in south Andes

    Development of large-scale societies in south Andes
    1000BC
    Development of large-scale societies in south Andes
  • Jan 7, 1000

    Monolithic stone architecture at Tiwanaku by Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.

    Monolithic stone architecture at Tiwanaku by Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
    600-1000 CE: Monolithic stone architecture at Tiwanaku by Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
  • Jan 7, 1150

    The formation of militaristic empires, wars, invasions with the Toltecs in Mexico leads to population increase & pressure.

    The formation of militaristic empires, wars, invasions with the Toltecs in Mexico leads to population increase & pressure.
    950-1150 CE: The formation of militaristic empires, wars, invasions with the Toltecs in Mexico leads to population increase & pressure.
  • Jan 7, 1325

    Founding of Tenochtitlán

    Founding of Tenochtitlán
    1325: Founding of Tenochtitlán
  • Jan 7, 1476

    Chimú empire in Peru with a very large city at Chan-chan with panaqa burial compounds.

    Chimú empire in Peru with a very large city at Chan-chan with panaqa burial compounds.
    1000-1476 CE: Chimú empire in Peru with a very large city at Chan-chan with panaqa burial compounds.
  • Jan 7, 1492

    Urban, stratified, militarized, imperialistic empires with no important technological advances

    Urban, stratified, militarized, imperialistic empires with no important technological advances
    1000-1492 CE: Urban, stratified, militarized, imperialistic empires with no important technological advances
  • Jan 10, 1500

    Pedro Álvares Cabral claims the Brazilian "hump" for Portugal.

    Pedro Álvares Cabral claims the Brazilian "hump" for Portugal.
    1500: Pedro Álvares Cabral claims the Brazilian "hump" for Portugal.
  • Jan 10, 1520

    Death of Moctezuma II. He is replaced by Cuitláhuac, who reigns for only eighty days and dies of smallpox (a disease brought by the Spaniards). Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor, continues to resist the Spaniards.

    1520: Death of Moctezuma II. He is replaced by Cuitláhuac, who reigns for only eighty days and dies of smallpox (a disease brought by the Spaniards). Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor, continues to resist the Spaniards.
  • Treaty of Madrid shifts Spanish-Portuguese border in South America

    1750: Treaty of Madrid shifts Spanish-Portuguese border in South America
  • Creoles establish ruling juntas in Carcas, Venezuela, Santiago, Chile, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    1810: Creoles establish ruling juntas in Carcas, Venezuela, Santiago, Chile, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Gran Colombia splits into the separate countries of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

    1830: Gran Colombia splits into the separate countries of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.
  • Porfirio Díaz overthrows Lerdo de Tejada and becomes President in Mexico. He will reelect himself seven times, and his dictatorship, the "Porfiriato" (1876-1911), will last thirty-four years.

    1876: Porfirio Díaz overthrows Lerdo de Tejada and becomes President in Mexico. He will reelect himself seven times, and his dictatorship, the "Porfiriato" (1876-1911), will last thirty-four years.
  • Abolition of slavery in Brazil.

    1888: Abolition of slavery in Brazil.
  • Spanish-Cuban-American War. Cuban gains independence from Spain; United States takes control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Phillippines.

    1898: Spanish-Cuban-American War. Cuban gains independence from Spain; United States takes control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Phillippines.
  • A military coup led by Victoriano Huerta overthrows Madero, who is later murdered. Venustiano Carranza leads a rebellion against Huerta. After the victory, the Revolutionaries fight among themselves. The forces led by Carranza defeat Francisco (Pancho) Vi

    1913: A military coup led by Victoriano Huerta overthrows Madero, who is later murdered. Venustiano Carranza leads a rebellion against Huerta. After the victory, the Revolutionaries fight among themselves. The forces led by Carranza defeat Francisco (Pancho) Villa and Emiliano Zapata. Carranza becomes President and convokes a new Constitutional Convention.
  • Beginning of 'Old Temple' phase at Chavín de Huántar, Peru

    Beginning of 'Old Temple' phase at Chavín de Huántar, Peru
    900 BC Beginning of 'Old Temple' phase at Chavín de Huántar, Peru
  • Chorrera ceramics include realistically modelled animal and human figures

    Chorrera ceramics include realistically modelled animal and human figures
    800 BC Chorrera ceramics include realistically modelled animal and human figures
  • Toltecs establish their capital at Tula.

    Toltecs establish their capital at Tula.
    968: Toltecs establish their capital at Tula.